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You ever feel like you do a lot in gamedev, but can't peg yourself as any one role?
Sgt M- 02/18/2016 04:59 AM
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CloseFor example, I do pixel art, story writing, and basically most of the work for the games I make, but I don't see myself identifying solely as a "Pixel artist" or "Programmer" or what have you.
Yup, I'm a total jack-of-all-trades. I've done a lot of my own art, code, writing... everything but music (and I've tried that as well).
And I'm absolutely only barely passable at all of them! Except maybe programming, sometimes.
And I'm absolutely only barely passable at all of them! Except maybe programming, sometimes.
*raises hands* Me! I totally feel like this!
It can also make collabs awkward, because there tends to be a lot of overlap and then we have to decide who does what XD;
EDIT: Love the new avatar, slash! ^_^
It can also make collabs awkward, because there tends to be a lot of overlap and then we have to decide who does what XD;
EDIT: Love the new avatar, slash! ^_^
Yup, I guess I'm also some kind of Jack when it comes to game dev, mainly since I work solo for the most part. Though I do know that my specialties are mapping and music (mainly composing). I'd like to think that I'm aspiring to be a pretty good writer, but my bad English grammar is holding me back.
It's good to know a bit of everything if you're an indie developer, since the less people that are working on a game, the better. On the other side, I think it's a lot wiser to excel at a specific element when you're in the industry/forced to work with larger teams.
It's good to know a bit of everything if you're an indie developer, since the less people that are working on a game, the better. On the other side, I think it's a lot wiser to excel at a specific element when you're in the industry/forced to work with larger teams.
I think the idea of a "jack of all trades" is definitely a lot more commonplace in the indie scene due to outright necessity, but if I had to be honest, pretty much everyone is still best at one thing- they just have to be good at everything else too.
And that's awesome! You get to see how someone who's primarily an artist tackles game design, or how a writer tackles art, or how a programmer tackles music, or etc. Not being masterfully skilled at or taught how to do something produces interesting results, because you're more likely to break "rules" than someone who specializes in that area.
I've learned through schooling that I myself am mainly a 2D artist focusing on digital painting and pixel art first and foremost, but I have a vested interest in writing, and sound/level design, and I'm always trying to learn more about gameplay design. Just about the only things I find myself really uncomfortable doing are 2D animation, 3D modelling/sculpting/unwrapping, and programming.
And that's awesome! You get to see how someone who's primarily an artist tackles game design, or how a writer tackles art, or how a programmer tackles music, or etc. Not being masterfully skilled at or taught how to do something produces interesting results, because you're more likely to break "rules" than someone who specializes in that area.
I've learned through schooling that I myself am mainly a 2D artist focusing on digital painting and pixel art first and foremost, but I have a vested interest in writing, and sound/level design, and I'm always trying to learn more about gameplay design. Just about the only things I find myself really uncomfortable doing are 2D animation, 3D modelling/sculpting/unwrapping, and programming.
Well, remember the saying in full goes: Jack of all trades, master of none, still much better than master of one.
So, yay~
So, yay~
Red_Nova
Sir Redd of Novus: He who made Prayer of the Faithless that one time, and that was pretty dang rad! :D
9192
author=Liberty
Well, remember the saying in full goes: Jack of all trades, master of none, still much better than master of one.
This part is new to me.
author=Liberty
Well, remember the saying in full goes: Jack of all trades, master of none, still much better than master of one.
So, yay~
I've never heard that last bit either! I agree that, at least in the indie game world, it's necessary to wear at least a couple hats. On the flip side, if you can find yourself an awesome artist to team up with so you can focus on programming, you'll save yourself a lot of pressure to keep both skills up to snuff :P
author=unity
EDIT: Love the new avatar, slash! ^_^
^^ thanks! Yours too! So sparkly~
I guess mapping would be my strong point as I have never worked with a team or anything and have done it all myself.
My closest specialty would be in 2D digital and pixel art, but yeah, I do kind of feel like a jack-of-all-trades.
Other than one class I took as a young teen, I've never been formally taught about game design, but I feel like I've picked up a lot just by lurking/participating in some of the design topics that are brought up on this forum, listening to player feedback, and reading some articles.
Another thing I found about game design is that it actually shares quite a bit in common with other artistic mediums, so I wouldn't say it would be difficult to transition into game-making from any kind of creative background, even if you are "specialized."
Other than one class I took as a young teen, I've never been formally taught about game design, but I feel like I've picked up a lot just by lurking/participating in some of the design topics that are brought up on this forum, listening to player feedback, and reading some articles.
Another thing I found about game design is that it actually shares quite a bit in common with other artistic mediums, so I wouldn't say it would be difficult to transition into game-making from any kind of creative background, even if you are "specialized."
author=Ratty524
Other than one class I took as a young teen, I've never been formally taught about game design, but I feel like I've picked up a lot just by lurking/participating in some of the design topics that are brought up on this forum, listening to player feedback, and reading some articles.
I feel you there. I've never had any formal education on game design or development and everything I've picked up on it was either self-taught or from just playing too many video games growing up. Lol.
I did take a lot of art classes in college, so I think some of that carried over to when I started making games, which I didn't start doing until about three years ago. And being almost 30 (probably a bit too late to start a career in game design), I usually just keep the game dev stuff on the extra-curricular portion of my resume for when I'm applying within my actual field of work. I actually do like keeping this a hobby.
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