1. Creative Development
Game Designer- A game designerisanindividualwhodesignsthe structure of agame includinghow
it will be playedandwhatthe ruleswill be.He orshe may create one or more of manytypesof
games,includingtable topgames,cardgames,andboardgames,but the most common type
currentlydevelopedare videogames.
Level Editor- A level editor(alsoknownasamap, campaignor scenarioeditor) isasoftware tool
usedto designlevels,maps,campaigns,etc.andvirtual worldsforavideogame.Anindividual
involvedwiththe creationof game levelsisalevel designerormapper.
Lead Artist- The LeadArtist(alsoknownasArt Directoror Creative Manager) isresponsible forthe
overall lookof the game.Workingwiththe Game DesignerandLeadProgrammer,the LeadArtist
devisesthe game’svisual styleanddirectsthe productionof all visual materialthroughoutthe
game’sdevelopment.
Technical Artist- A technical artistworkswithagame developmentteamtointegrate technical
specificationsandartin a seamlessfinishedproduct.Thiscareerblendsanartisticbackgroundwitha
familiarityingame designandthe limitationsthatmaybe presentedbygamingengines,software,
and platforms.
Artist- Artistscreate the visual elementsof agame,such as characters,scenery, objects,vehicles,
surface textures,clothing,props,andevenuserinterface components.Theyalsocreate conceptart
and storyboardswhichhelpcommunicatethe proposedvisual elementsduringthe pre-production
phase.
Animator- Animatorsinthe gamesindustryare responsible forthe portrayal of movementand
behaviour.Mostoftenthisisappliedtogive lifetogame charactersand creatures,butsometimes
animationsare alsoappliedtootherelementssuchasobjects,scenery,vegetationand
environmental effects.
AudioEngineer- The AudioEngineercreatesthe soundtrackforagame.This mightinclude music,
soundeffectstosupportthe game action(such as gunshotsorexplosions),charactervoicesand
otherexpressions,spokeninstructions,andambienteffects,suchascrowdnoise,vehiclesorrain.
Technical Development
Game Programmer- Game Programmersworkatthe heartof the game developmentprocess.They
designandwrite the computercode thatruns and controlsthe game,incorporatingandadapting
any ready-made code librariesandwritingcustomcode asrequired.Theytestthe code andfix bugs,
and alsodevelopcustomisedtoolsforuse byothermembersof the developmentteam.
Lead Game Programmer-The LeadProgrammerleadsthe programmingteamresponsiblefor
creatingall the computercode whichruns andcontrolsa game.Programmershave variousrolesand
specialismsincludingAI(artificialintelligence),game engine development,userinterface,tools
developmentandphysics.
2. ProjectImplementation
ProjectManager/Producer- the ProjectManager,alsoknownasthe Producer,isresponsible for
ensuringthe successful deliveryof agame,on time andwithinbudget.Theycontrol the financial and
otherresourcesneededforaprojectandco-ordinate the work of the productionteam, makingsure
that the qualityandvisionof the game ismaintained,whateverproblemsmayarise.They
understandeverybody’scontributiontoagame andkeepan overview of the entireprocessfrom
start to finish.
AssistantProducer- the Assistant(orJunior) Producerworkswithagame'sproductionstaff to
ensure the timelydeliveryof the highestqualityproductpossible.Typically,theywill focuson
specificareasof the developmentprocess.Thiscouldinvolve handlingthe communicationsbetween
the publisheranddeveloper,orco-ordinatingworkonsome of the project'skeyprocessessuchas
managingthe outsourcingof art assets.
External Producer- the External Producerisresponsibleforensuringthe successful deliveryof a
game, while workingexternallyfromthe developmentteam.External Producersare almostalways
employedbyagame publisher.Workingoutof the publisher'sheadoffice,theyliaisebetweenthe
publisher'ssalesandmarketingdepartmentsandthe game developer, whichmaybe located
hundredsof milesaway.
Creative Director- The Creative Directoristhe keypersonduringthe game developmentprocess,
overseeinganyhigh-level decisionsthataffecthow the game plays,looksorsounds.Not all game
companiesemploy CreativeDirectors.Some companiesprefertocontinue tosplitthe duties
betweenagame'sLeadArtists,LeadProgrammers,DesignersandProducers.
Quality Assurance
QA Tester-QualityAssurance Technicians,orTesters,performavital role.Theytest,tune,debugand
suggestthe detailedrefinementsthatensure the qualityandplayabilityof the finishedgame.They
play-testthe game ina systematicway,analysingthe game’sperformance againstthe designer’s
intentions,identifyingproblemsandsuggesting improvements.Theytestforbugsinthe software,
fromcomplete crashestominorglitchesinthe programme.Theyalsoact as the game’sfirst
audience,reportingonitsplayabilityandidentifyinganyaspectswhichcouldbe improved.
BusinessDevelopment
PublicRelationsManager-A publicrelations(PR)managerisincharge of overseeinghow apersonor
companyisviewedbycustomersorthe media.AlsocalledaPR manageror a publicrelations
specialist,apublicrelationsmanagerhelpsacompanycontrol itspublicity.The jobof a PR manager
usuallyinvolvesbothgeneratingpositive publicityandmanagingnegative publicity.
ProductManager-The ProductManager's role isto helpcreate and implementmarketingcampaigns
to maximise the salesof the gamesthey are workingon.Workinginthe marketingteam, they
supportthe seniormarketingmanagerswhoorganise internationalorglobal campaigns.The Product
Manager may alsoworkwitha Brand Manager, whoisresponsible fordevelopinglong-termplans
3. for individual game franchisesandprovidingastrategicoverview of how agame brandshould
change overtime.
MarketingExecutive-Marketingexecutivesare involvedindevelopingmarketingcampaignsto
promote a product,service oridea.Itis a variedrole thatincludesplanning,advertising,public
relations,eventorganisation,productdevelopment,distribution,sponsorshipandresearch.The
workis oftenchallengingandfast-paced.
MarketingManager-A marketingmanager’smainjobisusuallytooversee acompany’s marketing
department,aswell astoinfluence the creativityandproductivityof individual marketingteams.
“Marketing”in thissense isusuallyunderstoodtoincludetraditional advertisingandsalesteamsas
well aspublicrelationsdivisions.Thissort of professional’smaindutyistohelppromote the
corporate image to customers,andto grow the customerbase inthe process.Successful marketing
can helpa businessbe profitable,while poororweakstrategiesoftenendupcostingmoney,atleast
whenitcomesto missedpotential.
