Starting on Game Design

[xDarkomantis]

Hey, I wanted to know information about Game Design in high school. I want to become a Game Designer and so far I'm taking computer classes in Flash and Business and a Art class. Right now I'm reading information on the Sloperama site(current at the Game Tester section) and would like to know more about Game Design when it comes to programming and the Game Design Document.

To be more specific, I saw the link to Gamedev which I didn't know anything about but would like to know more about it. Should I try looking at their workshops or should I just wait until college? Also I have been recently writing ideas(about one small notebook page per idea) into a book I got from a Technology Convention. The Game Design Document outline seems a bit complicated for me since I never really go past that notebook page but I'm willing to try to use it. Is there anything I should know before attempting it?

[tsloper]

Originally Posted by xDarkomantis

1. Right now I'm reading information on the Sloperama site(current at the Game Tester section) and would like to know more about Game Design when it comes to programming
2. and the Game Design Document.
3. I saw the link to Gamedev which I didn't know anything about but would like to know more about it. Should I try looking at their workshops or should I just wait until college?
4. The Game Design Document outline seems a bit complicated for me since I never really go past that notebook page but I'm willing to try to use it. Is there anything I should know before attempting it?

1. Game design and programming are two different things.
Programming job - http://sloperama.com/advice/lesson15.htm
Design job - http://sloperama.com/advice/lesson14.htm

2. More about the GDD - http://sloperama.com/advice/lesson13.htm

3. Whichever you prefer.

4. Just try doing it. Ask questions when you run into a snag.

[xDarkomantis]

Originally Posted by tsloper

1. Game design and programming are two different things.
Programming job - http://sloperama.com/advice/lesson15.htm
Design job - http://sloperama.com/advice/lesson14.htm

2. More about the GDD - http://sloperama.com/advice/lesson13.htm

3. Whichever you prefer.

4. Just try doing it. Ask questions when you run into a snag.

1. Whenever I try to look up information on Game Design, sites would say to learn a bit of everything like Art, Music, and programming. Of course I don't want to learn everything about Art or programming but I would like to know, what basic programming software should I know as a aspiring Game Designer?
2. Okay thanks
3. See #1
4. Okay. Although it might not be related, I am currently playing League of Legends and is interested in how they make their champions. Is it a good thing to spend time trying to design my own champion(though Riot clearly stated they aren't going to use any fan-made champions) or should I be more worried about the GDD?

[tsloper]

Originally Posted by xDarkomantis

1. Whenever I try to look up information on Game Design, sites would say to learn a bit of everything like Art, Music, and programming.
1. what basic programming software should I know as a aspiring Game Designer?
4. Is it a good thing to spend time trying to design my own champion(though Riot clearly stated they aren't going to use any fan-made champions) or should I be more worried about the GDD?

1. Idiots are always assuming everybody in the industry has to be a programmer. It helps, but it's not a requirement. You should look into level design (FAQ 69).
1. Look into level design, see if you can use Game Maker (FAQ 56) or modding tools.
4. It's a good thing if you want to do that. There's a growing movement deprecating GDDs, but every game designer still needs to be able to write one.