Why I became a Video Game Designer
I am a video game designer because ever since I could hold a crayon I had creative ideas that I need to get out onto paper. Realizing that I wouldn’t get paid much for art, I had transitioned into Graphic Design. Once that feeling that I couldn’t just make something how I wanted it, but how the customer wanted it, I felt creatively defeated. I had always loved playing video games but didn’t know how to get into the industry seemingly so far away from me. When I had met the Smith family, I became aware of Kelly’s job and the college she worked at. Once introductions were made and I had visited campus, it all became a reality to me.
I took an intro to 3D Modeling and Animation class in high school that I had taken that sadly didn’t get followed up on in either high school or surrounding colleges. It was a sad realization since I had gotten an A+ in that class and it really didn’t mean I was going anywhere with animation after that class ended. Once I had met Kelly after knowing the Smith family for years and she introduced me to Matt, the lead of the game design program at Maryville, we hit it off and I was excited to come here after finishing my associate’s degree at community college.
I’ve been passionate about playing games ever since I could hold a controller and watching video documentaries of how Halo 3 was made back in the day, it had always been a dream to model characters, create concept art, or even make animations for a video game. I’ve already decided to dedicate my life to this; I even have a Master Chief tattoo to prove it. Putting together my two passions of creative artistry and video games, it just seemed like the natural way to go. I can’t see myself being happy working in any other industry than the video game industry.
The classic Bungie development team’s strategy of “making games we want to play” has always inspired me to think of something I’d want from certain games. Old and new ideas combining them and putting them all into a new game has always been a conversation I have with myself and my gaming friends. Halo had all these amazing ideas put together into one game: shooting mechanics, driving mechanics, flying mechanics, a single-player or co-op story experience, a multiplayer with multiple modes and maps to play on, and even letting you have tools to create your own maps and modes. It was just unheard of anywhere else.
I’m concerned on whether or not I would get noticed or get my foot in the door of a game development, but I’m sure the final year will put those worries to rest. Working with the teachers and try to find somewhere to intern after college or possibly jump right into work. I know if I really want to work on a huge or expensive game, I will have to travel. I’m not worried so much about the traveling aspect, I believe that part will be fun, I’m just worried about how it may affect my relationships here. But that means I will just have to make more relationships everywhere I go, and I’m not known to be shy.