Game Development and "Fantastic Four"

by Angelique Gervais
angelique.gervais@careertrainingdirectory.com
Career Training Directory Columnist

The new video game “Fantastic Four” is due for release on June 28, 2005. In a recent interview Jeff Gardiner, lead video game designer for “Fantastic Four”, spoke about the game development process.

What does the Lead Video Game Designer Do?

As lead video game designer on the “Fantastic Four” game development project, Jeff was responsible for the overall story line and theme of the game. It was his job to interact between Marvel Comics, Fox Studios, game designers at “7 Studios,” and the artists and programmers at Activision. There is no way that video game design school could have prepared him for the privilege and excitement of meeting the creative minds at Marvel. Nor did it lead Jeff to hope to be allowed onto the set of a major motion picture like “Fantastic Four.” Video game design school did teach him how to bring the sets, themes, and characters of “Fantastic Four” to the game playing public.

Could I be a Video Game Designer?

Most video game designers, artists, and programmers begin with a love for gaming. As kids, many devoured stacks of comic books, played the buttons off of their home video game systems, and dreamed of the day they could create them. Video game design school provided the skills they needed to make that happen. Video game designers need to have very strong communication skills. They are story tellers, with the tools to bring their stories to life if they can communicate the story to their team effectively. Creative writing, English, drama, and other liberal arts are recommended to help develop strong communication skills.

What are the Benefits of being a Video Game Designer?

There is the possible opportunity to spend time rubbing shoulders with actors, directors, and producers of major motion pictures. Using your creative abilities daily for game development is very rewarding. Working in a field you love is invaluable. The monetary benefits are very good as well. In 1999 the range of wages for video game designers was $35,000 to $75,000. Today payscale.com reports the average member of video game design teams earns $100,000/year.

If video games are your passion, you can make them your career just as Jeff Gardiner did. Begin video game design school today and your future could include rubbing shoulders with Ioan Gruffudd as Mr. Fantastic on the set of “Fantastic Four”.

Sources:

Bureau of Labor Statistics
Filecloud

About the Author

Angelique Gervais holds a degree in Biblical Studies, and she is currently expanding her education in the areas of psychology and human development at the Masters level.