GAVI - Games, Animation and Vfx Industries


Job roles, career structures and business models across the games, animation and VFX industries.





Game designer
-Requires knowledge of computer programming languages, design.
- Plans the game before production and he can influence all aspects of the game, like an art director, program leader or producer.
- design characters, levels, puzzles, art and animation.
- They may also write code (e.g C#, C++, etc).
- Is responsible for project management tasks and testing early versions of video games.


The level designer creates the puzzles, levels and the environment of the game.
He is also :
- a cinematographer
- director
- set designer

The difference between a game designer and a level designer is that the first one works at the concept level and the other works in the game engine.

Level designer skills (Knowledge of)
- At least 1 game engine (i.e UDK or Unity) - Mandatory
- Architecture and structural design - Mandatory
-Scripting language (C#, Javascript)
-3D software proficiency (3D Max, Maya)
- Traditional game design
- Visual narrative skills


Game Programmer
A game development team require different types of programmers specialised in different areas such as AI, game-play, multiplayer networking, etc.

The lead programmer:
- leads the programming team responsible for creating computer code
- Responsible for the technical specs of the game
- Assures that deliveries are on time and budget


Game-play engineer:
-Designs the actual code of the game
- Develops the specs for networking
- Implements game mechanics
- Writes software requirements and technical design documentation


Software engineer:
- Requires analytical skills, group work, experience with
 computers systems and applications.
-Works on non-game development
- Creates tools for the internal team

UI/UX programmers:
- Requires knowledge of wire-frame tools, design software like
  Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
- Create the interface controls for the game
- Works with controllers and input devices
- Illustrate design ideas
- Design graphic user interface elements

Audio programmers:
- Requires knowledge of computer science or game development, audio
engineering and music production.
- integrate audio in game.
- writes code to control three basic categories of sound functions: low level,
mid level and high level.
-writes code to manipulate and trigger audio cues like sound effects and background music.

Graphic programmers:
- Requires knowledge of advanced mathematics liner algebra, computer programming
 and advanced levels of computer language and sophisticated software.
- Optimise the game display
- Maximise performance
- Can be specialise in rendering systems, shaders, effects, etc

Network programmers:
- Develop the network infrastructure for online gaming
- Have to focus on security and best practices

AI programmers:
- Requires knowledge of advanced mathematics, computer science,
 engineering or game development.
- Create code to respond to player actions
- Develop solutions for choice making
- Develop solutions for pathfinding
- Develop solutions for strategy


Artists

UI/UX artists:
- Requires knowledge of wireframe tools (e.g. Wireframe.cc and InVision), computer science, design software like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop.
- Design graphic user interface elements (e.g. menus, tabs, etc)
- Build page navigation buttons and search fields.
- Identify and troubleshoot UX problems (e.g. responsiveness)
- Conduct layout adjustments based on user feedback.

Concept artist:
- Requires knowledge of anatomy, structural and organic design, colour theory.
- Creates the initial drawings of the environments and assets used in the game
- Producing the illustrations that help Production Designer realise their vision.

Environment (3D/2D) artists:
- Require knowledge of design, 3D modelling, production of textures.
- Build the environment and assets created by the concept artist.
- Create and maintain 3D prop and modular assets.
- Create and maintain texture library.


Character (3D/2D) artist:
- Requires knowledge of anatomy and drawing skills, graphic design, 2D illustrations and 3D   modelling.
- Creates initial 2D illustrations based on the concept artist's sketches.
- Model a 3D computer image, gradually adding definition, weight and colour.


Animation artist:
- Requires knowledge of design, 2D illustration software, IT skills.
- Creates the animation on the models created by modellers
- developing the timing and pace of movements of a character or object during the sequence of images and ensuring they follow the audio requirements.
- Building accurate, detailed frame by frame visuals.


2D artist:
- Requires knowledge of design, 2D illustration software, IT skills.
- Builds raster 2D artwork.
- Create textures and illustrations.
- Design in game assets.
- Contribute to the design process.



Texture artist:
- Requires knowledge of UV mapping, artistic skills and familiarity with software such as Photoshop, Maya, Mudbox, ZBrush, Body Paint, etc.
- Creates the textures for the game using texturing software
- Paint textures on animated characters, environments and props.


Quality assurance technicians or testers:
- Requires technical skills, computer science, problem solving skills, experience with implementation of corrective action programs.
-Test, tune, debug and suggest the detailed refinements that ensure the quality and play-ability of the finished game.
- They play-test the game in a systematic way, analysing the game's performance against the designer's intentions, identifying problems and suggesting improvements.
- Test for bugs in the software, from complete crashes to minor glitches in the program.
- Interpret and implement quality assurance standards.



HOW I MIGHT BE EMPLOYED

After due consideration and looking into all the different types of careers available, I find that I would fit many of these generally, but none specifically. This has led me to believe that I would be best suited to a small indie style operation where I would be involved in many aspects of each and every project. Thus I would be able to look at the overall design of the game, start with some proof of concept and maybe some programming to prove the concept before moving on to assisting with some artwork and then more programming to ensure that the designs are viable.

To achieve these aims I need to improve my programming skills, which at this stage are minimal and spend some time creating a portfolio which covers art, modelling, animation and the programming to tie everything together. Once I have such a portfolio it would then be more easy to market myself to small indie developers. 


HOW I CAN PROGRESS IN A CAREER

 Career progressing within any company is a matter of focusing on the types of work necessary to achieve the next milestone, however with a small indie company career progressing is simply a matter of assisting the company to grow and more people will be assigned to the projects as I would take leadership roles.

The following points will assist in career progression:

1. Feedback - helps understand what I am doing right and where I can improve.
2. Setting up goals - can influence the performance, provides motivation and direction.
3. Planning - once I have set up my goals, planning is a good way of helping me get there.
4. Network - having connections can help explore career options and find opportunities.




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