Starting a career in game design is an exciting journey that requires careful planning and in-depth knowledge of the field. This career path can be a rewarding one for you if you love to create unique experiences using technology as well as creative writing and playing games. A career in game design will give you the knowledge and skills to create and develop computer or video games. In the career path, you will work with professionals such as animators, game developers and producers. However, as a game designer, you will play a central role in the development process of a game.

This field is a competitive field with various exciting career paths. As a game designer, you will be responsible for shaping the overall concept, gameplay mechanics, and user experience of a video game. Therefore, you should have the skills and knowledge that will make you a professional in this field. Additionally, you should have the soft skills to be able to work with other professionals that you will work together within a team.

This piece will guide you through the steps to follow while pursuing a career in game design.

How to Become a Game Designer

1. Obtain a Degree

   You can start your career pursuit by obtaining a bachelor’s degree. This may not be compulsory, However, it can give you a strong foundation as well as a higher advantage. You can gain a bachelor’s degree in fields such as fine arts, game design, computer science or a related field. These degrees can give you a strong foundation and knowledge that will be valuable in building your career. Additionally, it can also teach you how to use technology to enhance your skills.

2. Develop Gaming Skills

   Your skills are very valuable to your success as a game designer. Therefore, you can play a wide variety of games regularly. This will allow you to understand gaming mechanics as well as the different genres of games.

3. Build your portfolio

   While building your career, you should create a portfolio of your game projects. Additionally, you should include documentation of your projects such as level designs, scripting, etc. This will display your skills and expertise to potential employers. Additionally, it will enable you to compile your past and recent works to track your progress.

4. Learn Software for Game Design

   There are various software that can be used for game design. These software are widely used and can enhance your employability. You can learn software such as Game Maker, Utility, etc.

5. Develop Soft Skills

   Soft skills are relevant for building your career. You can develop skills such as creativity, written communication skills, emotive communication skills, teamwork, organisation skills and Self-motivation.

6. Choose an Area of Specialisation

   There are various areas of specialisation in game design. You can choose to specialise in any area of your interest and based on your skill.

7. Participate in Gaming Projects

   While you are building your career, you should start working on projects. You can do this by applying for internships or entry-level roles. This will enable you to build your skills as well as have experience in working on designing games.

Skills for a Game Designer

1. Artistic vision
2. Collaboration
3. Communication
4. Creativity
5. Flexibility
6. Innovation
7. Mathematical skills
8. Organizational skills
9. Problem-solving skills
10. Programming skills
11. Software proficiency
12. Storytelling skills
13. Teamwork
14. Technical skills

List of Universities in Africa for Art & Design

1. University of Cape Town, South Africa
2. University of Pretoria, South Africa
3. North-West University, South Africa
4. Cairo University, Egypt
5. University of the Western Cape, South Africa
6. Rhodes University, South Africa
7. Ain Shams University, South Africa
8. University of Sfax, Tunisia
9. University of Ibadan, Nigeria
10. Alexandria University, Egypt
11. Mansoura University, Egypt
12. University of Ghana, Ghana
13. University of Nigeria, Nigeria
14. Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
15. Makerere University, Uganda
16. Helwan University, Egypt
17. Nelson Mandela University, South Africa
18. American University in Cairo, Egypt
19. University of Botswana, Botswana
20. Zagazig University, Egypt
21. University of Monastir, Tunisia
22. Tunis University, Tunisia
23. Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa
24. University of Nairobi, Kenya
25. Menoufia University, Egypt
26. University of Lagos, Nigeria
27. University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
28. Mohammed V University, Morocco
29. Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
30. University of Sousse, Tunisia
31. University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
32. Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa
33. Durban University of Technology, South Africa
34. Covenant University, Nigeria
35. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
36. University of Fort Hare, South Africa
37. Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Morocco
38. University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene, Algeria
39. University of Mauritius, Mauritius
40. Manouba University, Tunisia

Finally, starting a career in game design involves strong creativity as well as gaming abilities. This career will require you to create captivating games for various genres. As a result, you should focus on honing the skills required. Most importantly, to achieve expertise in this field, you must devote a significant amount of time and effort.

Good luck!

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