Rehana Whiteley IG2 Computer Game Engine : Task 2 Computer Game Production Budget

Job Roles

Game Designer
Game Designers are usually employed by development either independent or publisher owned. One of the main job roles is to plan all of the elements in the game for example the Game Designer will plan and define what the setting, structure, rules, story, characters, vehicles, art description, environment/level, game play, sound, user interface/controls and a lot more. Sometimes even have to know knowledge about computer programming and writing software to show initial research and a concept document of an initial design treatment to convince the other members in the industry that the game is worth creating and developing.
This whole progress is usually shared with numerous amounts of people and then is over seen by the lead Game Designer. During development the Game Designer has to respond to any questions and communicate with the rest of the industry so there is a clear understanding on what the game setting, assets etc. is going to be created Also having to make adjustments to the original design to make the game respond to any technical difficulties which might have been identified which might result in incorporating new programming/equipment to resolve the problem.

Level Editor
The Level Editor defines and creates architecture for the games level for example they define the environment within the game, what the general layout of the game will look like for instance how much space And deciding on the texture/lighting which will be included in the level. Although they do also develop the game play of the level for instance the challenges which will be included within the game and how to overcome/defeat them challenges. This is because the Level Editor designs the obstetrical and places where the character can hide (safe spot) and a lot more which the character within the game will interact with. The level designers do this by following the specifications from the game prototype that the Game Designer has already made however the Level Editor does have freedom to adjust the look and feel of the level rather than sticking to the original plan.

Lead Artist
The Lead Artist works along with the lead programmer and with the Game Designer, this is because the lead Artist needs to decide on the devises on the overall visual style within the game. The Lead Artist also inspires, motivates and directs the production within the all the visual materials though out the games development, managing the team of Artist and Animators with most of the Art assets. They do this to make sure all the work is on schedule, within the budget and fits the theme/genre of the video game which is being developed. The Lead Artist has amazing communication skills due having to communicate to different member's and departments within the organisation for example the Lead Artist has to communicate with the programming team to see if the animation and the other art assets will fit in to the game and will be easily imported within the games engine.
The lead artist may use the software Poser pro and Maya to create the art/animation.

Technical Artist
A technical artist job role is ensuring the art assets can easily be imported into the game without effecting/sacrificing the visual quality of the assets or exceeding the technical limits of the chosen platform. To do this a technical artist needs technical proficiency in areas such as rendering, programming languages, texturing etc. This also means that they need to have knowledge of different art packages such as texturing and special effects and how to customize each package. Despite having knowledge about console hardware architecture and having to keep up to date with technology including both hardware and software to help create custom tools to improve efficient of the team and be able to deal with any situations immediately. . A technical artist works in the creative development, working close with the Lead Artist, the creative director and the lead programmer. The technical artist has good communication and managing skills to be able to organize, monitor and train others within this job role to be able to maintain the production and making decisions including which packages the studio should be using As well as researching and rendering techniques such as normal and specular maps, particle systems and pixel shaders.

Artist
An Artist creates the look of the video game. For example an Artist will be imaginative and creative to be able do visual elements such as characters, scenery/setting, vehicles, surface, texture, clothing, props etc. This means an Artist has good instinct of colour, composition, perspective, modelling and texturing techniques, lighting and mood for the perfect texture and surface.
As well as creating concept art which is an idea of what an element will look like such as a character within the game which will then be developed. The Artist will also create a story board which is several drawings of what the drawing is going to look like throughout the game. This will help communicate what the visual elements are going to look like at the pre-production when the game designer is convincing other members that the game is worth producing.
Although the Artist creates several elements for the game there is various specialists throughout the art department which are responsible for their own art asset for instance there is the 3D modelling, Character design, textures and environments. However there are still a lot of movement/changes throughout the development so the Artist has to be able to work independently as well as working in a team and communicating with others.
The Artist are working under the supervision of the Lead Artist and will create assets according to what the game desired look is for example the look could either be realistic or could be a more stylized look and the Artist job will be to create assets which are textured and characterized like the specific look.

Animator

Animators are responsible for movement; behaviour and making the game become more alive by using specialist software to create the animation. For instance an Animators will have knowledge about full motion video to be able to animate elements such as characters, creatures, objects, scenery's, vegetation and sometimes environmental effects. A Animators should be able understand the timing and appearance of human and animal movement such as facial expressions and being able to lip sync the animation with the characters. To do this the Animators will need to have some knowledge of programming to make sure the animation is portrayed in the most efficient and effective way without going over the platforms limits this means that the animator will work closely with the programmers and Artist to be able to create the best, smooth, seamless movement on the target platform.

All the artist In the creative department may use the software Poser pro and Maya to create the art/animation.

Audio Engineer

Audio engineer will operate the machines and the recording equipment to synchronize, mix and produce music and sound effects for the video game for instance the audio engineer might record someone’s voice and then edit in on a digital device to adjust the voice according to the character within the video game.

To do this the audio engineer will have to communicate with others members and the supervisor to be able to get others opinions and reactions to the audio because audio engineers have to fix complex problems instantly. Listening is important to the audio engineer because they have to give full attention on what the games industry is expecting from the audio and having to ask questions at appropriate times.

The audio engineer will work on equipment which could include a lot of different controls and wires. So this means that the audio engineer will have to know the correct equipment needed for the job for instance using props such as a car for an engine within the game. Being imaginative and patients is important to the audio engineer as the audio is one of the main assets that help improve the look and feel of the video game.

They may use software such as Sound forge whis is £311 which you can see in my budget sheet.

Technical development

Technical development is the progress of the video game. For example in this department the game computer codes are developed.

Game programmer

Programmers can also be employed by studios either publisher owned or independent just like the game designer.

The game programmer designs and writes the computer code which runs and control's the game for instance testing the code and then fixing the bugs and creating custom tools so members in a development can use the developed tools for example by the Artist or the level editors. This means that the game programmer has to be creative and be able to be problem-solving almost instantly as well as having good understanding of different platforms such as Wii, Xbox, PlayStation and be able to program in different languages such as c++. This is because different platforms have different programming requirements for instance there are various specialisms within programming, such as physics programming (e.g. programming movable objects so that they appear to obey the laws of gravity, etc.), 3D engine development, interface and control systems which is very complex which means involving large teams of programmers although some might be in a leadership role while others could be working on one aspect. Making it an important role to be able to take instructions, work deadlines and have good communication skills as well as being highly organised to be able to work effectively in the department.

Lead Game Programmer

The Lead game programmer manages the engineering of a game start to finish and the overall code development progress. For instance the lead game programmer is responsible for creating all the computer codes code which runs and controls the game which means that the lead game programmer will have to be advanced at programming and have knowledge of the requirements of the relevant health and safety legislation and procedures within the game industry.

Lead game programmers have several job roles for example artificial intelligence, game engine development, user interface and more.

Although the lead game programmer also has to be able to multitask, inspire and motivate, a team player, leader and be able to approach and listen to what other members want to be able to make sure the team delivers on time for budget such as they usually collect all the technical documents to ensure the quality and effectiveness of all the game code etc. is under expectations of the industry/organisation. And be able to support/guidance the technical development/programming team by making sure all programmers understand what skills are needed and the expectations of the game. The lead game programmer also manages the production of the game ensuring all the bugs are fixed and solutions are found on schedule this means that the programmer has to be able to resolve conflicts and solve problems while being able to meet deadlines.

These could use Unreal engine 4 or visual studio to develop the game.

Links
http://lycaeum.ultimacodex.com/requirements/

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