assessment 2 outcome1

Assessment 2 outcome 1
sector: games industry
FIRST Job title investigated: Games designer
1: Description what someone with this job title is generally involved in (where appropriate, candidates should collect a typical job description).
Computer games designers devise new computer games and define the way the game is played and the 'game experience'. They develop:
• the rules of the game
• the setting
• story and characters
• props such as weapons and vehicles
• different ways the game may be played.
It is part of their job to convince other members of the team to develop the game. They work with programmers, artists, animators, producers and audio engineers to turn their original vision into a working game.
2: Description where in the production process a person with this job title is usually most involved.
• Production
• Story line
• Map design
• Development
• Character design
Extra information :
• be creative, imaginative and original
• be fluent in a number of software packages
• understand the market and target audience for computer games
• have problem-solving skills
• enjoy IT and playing computer games.


3. Description of how someone with this job title began working in the industry and what qualifications he/she needed.
A computer games designer should:
• be creative, imaginative and original
• be fluent in a number of software packages
• have a thorough understanding of the market and target audience for computer games
• have problem-solving skills
• have storytelling ability
• have excellent communication and presentation skills
• understand the capabilities and benefits of different hardware including PCs, consoles and mobile devices, as well as the relevant software technologies and techniques
• have basic drawing and 3D design skills
• be able to adapt quickly to change
• work well in a team and alone
• work well under pressure and be able to meet deadlines
• take criticism well
• be willing to keep up to date with new developments and trends in the computer games market.
• Around 6,600 people in the UK work in computer games development. They are employed by games development studios, which are either independent companies or owned by games publishers. Around half of the people working in the games sector are based in London and south-east England, but there are also important centres in Manchester, Liverpool, Warwickshire, Dundee, Sheffield and other parts of Yorkshire, and Newcastle.
• Over half of all males and one in four females play games regularly, and the market is likely to expand as new technologies are introduced which make games more exciting and realistic. Development studios are keen to employ games designers who understand markets and target audiences and have the imagination and creativity to excite existing players and reach new audiences.
• Vacancies are advertised through specialist recruitment agencies, on company websites, and in specialist games publications and websites. See the Skillset website at www.skillset.org for useful links to recruitment agencies and websites.


4: Description of how someone with this job title can progress within the industry and what qualifications may be required.
There is no formal promotion route for computer games designers. With experience, it is possible to be promoted from junior designer to designer. Successful, experienced designers with project and people-management skills may progress to become lead designers.
There may be opportunities to move into management and marketing roles.
Talented designers may be offered the chance to work overseas. It may be possible to become self-employed, doing freelance work on a contract basis.


5: identification evidence on the following
My sources of information came from:
http://www.creativepool.co.uk