Arising as a prominent branch of game development in the 1970s after the huge success of arcade video games, game designers as we know them today were tasked with designing the bulk of content for the game, including the rules, storyline, characters and overall appeal. Today, game designing is a multi-million dollar industry that’s only expected to grow larger as technology advances. Take a look at the timeline below to see how the industry has evolved and expanded over the years.

1952 – Willy Higinbotham creates what is commonly referred to as “the first video game.” Similar to table tennis, this 2 person game was played on an oscilloscope.

1961 – A MIT student, Steve Russell, creates the first interactive game, Spacewars, played on mainframe computers.

1971 – Computer Space, developed by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney (founders of Atari), becomes the first video arcade game released. Although it was instantly popular, many people found the game too difficult.

1972 – Realizing the potential of video games, Magnavox released Odyssey, the first home video gaming system. Most notably though, Atari is founded and quickly recognized as the leader in the video game industry. Their first released game, Pong, was wildly successful and soon became available as a home version.

1974 – Steve Jobs, one of Atari’s technicians and later a circuit board creator, presented an idea to the Atari founders for a personal computer system. Because funds were tied up in other projects, Bushnell referred a venture capitalist to Jobs for funding support. That personal computer, of course, was the beginning of Apple. (more…)

Game design is a dream of many passionate computer players. If you are one of those players who is constantly thinking of ways to improve your gaming experience as you are playing, you may find game design degree programs to be the stepping stone to an exciting career path.

What Is a Game Art Degree?
A game art degree is a fairly new degree offering and can be earned as either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. An associate’s degree typically takes one to three years to complete. The prerequisite is a high school diploma. A bachelor’s degree takes four years to complete and also requires a high school diploma. Students entering these programs are usually avid gamers themselves. Both of these programs require significant gaming experience as well as a passion for the latest and greatest technological innovation.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), required skills in this field are more comprehensive then just simply technical skills. Coursework would include classes in animation, communication, graphic design, management, programming, software development, and two- and three-dimensional modeling.

Entry-level openings for those with a degree in game design are generally for game designers. Advancement could be to a project manager or creative director. Advancement in this field is less tied to degree advancement as it is to on-the-job performance.

What Does a Game Designer Do?
According to the BLS, a designer writes the blueprint for a computer game, deciding the mission, theme, and rules of play. Designers need to have their pulse on current gaming trends and a passion for innovation. They need to be well-versed in the history of gaming as well. Because there is no specific coursework in these subjects, gaming experience is once again key in succeeding. (more…)