P1

Production Job Roles for a Games Production Company:

a) job title and job
description

b) responsibilities within
the production process

Project Manager:
The project manager make sure that the game they're managing are released on time and to the standard required as well as staying as well within the budget as possible. The manager watches over the aspects of the games creation and makes sure everything is running on time and working together. The producer (Project manager) has to carry out a detailed analysis of the game design specification and work out the project milestones which they have set to be completed by the team at certain dates to help the production of the game run more smoothly. They set the dates along with the help of the heads of each department (e.g. the lead artist, lead programmer e.t.c)

There is no real qualification needed to becoming a Project Manager. But companies will be looking for previous experience as a producer in a different field or having demonstrated management qualities whilst in another industry. You will also need to have an enthusiasm for games and the gamin industry.
You can also get the job by having worked in the games industry at a 'team-leading role' such as a lead artist or lead programmer. And will need to show strong leadership skills and commitment to the job. 

You could also apply to be a Games Trainee which will help teach you and give you a hands on experience in the games industry and will help you build contacts that will be useful when finding a job in the games industry. 

Project Manager traits:

- Lead, inspire and motivate employees and keep them happy.
- Have a good knowledge of games and the games industry.
- Be a strong leader and act fast and practical when problems arise.
- Be a good multitasker.
- Have/ create good working relationships with employees.
- Ability to manage people, time and resources.
- Excellent presentation and communication skills.
- Good organisational and problem solving abilities.
- Good negotiation, conflict resolution and decision making skills.
- Knowledge of the requirements of the relevant health and safety legislation and procedures. 
- Be able to handle clients.

I would not be overly suitable for this role as I am not good at organisation nor am I good at being a strong leader. Although I can and have shown authority in group works when there are difficulties or if we are low on time. And for that reason I will rank this as my third choice.  

Games Artist:
The job of the game artist is it both design and create all the visuals the player sees in the game. 
There are many different types of jobs for an artist to go into.
The main area of work artists go into 3D modelling. The 3D designers will create the characters that the concept artists have created and turn them 3D along with any props, weapons and other in game items.

The next area artists can go into is concept art. Concept artists help the directors create the story board along with the initial character designs for the game. They can also help plan out the maps and props/ weapons that'll be placed in game. It's the concept artists job to come together and create ideas and put them all together until they come out with the perfect design. The concept artists would then give their drawings to the 3D designers to make their drawings 3D 

Another important artist job is the map designers, these people create the map that the player interacts with. It's their job to make sure the player stays immersed in the world they've created.

Lastly, the texture artists will work with the concept artists and then make a mesh for the 3D models or world. They will create weapon textures, character textures etc. 

Some of the 3D or concept artists might create some promotional material. All artists work under the supervision of the lead artist. 


Most artists in the game industry posses a degree or HND in art subject like fine art, graphics or illustration. It is helpful to have knowledge in 3D software's such as Maya, 3D studio max, blender, etc or 2D software's like Photoshop. Game artists may also have to learn how to use an in-house software created by the company. Work placements during a degree is a good way to gain experience and get contacts for applying for a job in future. 

Game Artist role:
- An art portfolio will be required when applying for a job. It should show a range of work and originality in style.
- Should be able to draw from life.
- Have knowledge of anatomy and architecture.
- The ability to convey facial expressions and emotions.
- An ability to work to a style guide
- Have a flair for colour, perspective modelling and texturing techniques, lighting and mood.
- Have skills in comics and/or storyboarding.
- Be imaginative and creative, being able to come up with your own ideas.
- Have an eye for detail and strong powers of observation.
- Have good communication skills.
- The ability to work as a team or independently. 

I want to be a concept artist when I'm older and love being able to come up with new ideas. My drawing isn't the best but I'm trying. I enjoy drawing and have got knowledge in 3D design (although maya isn't my strong point) and for that reason I am putting this as my first choice.


   

Programmer:
The job of the programmer is to create the code the runs and controls the game. Programming is one of the key aspects to game creation. It's the job of the programmer to create code to support different platform types, depending on what platform the game is going to be released on. 
Programmers test code and fix bugs as well as develop tools for use by other people in the development team.

Programmers are needed throughout the game process. Even when the game is in its final stages of production the programmers are still needed in case a bug occurs or an extra bit is added to the game. 
When the game is given to the QA testers, the programmers will have conversations with them to talk about any minor bugs or glitches that can occur when playing the game.

"Programmers are employed by development studios – publisher-owned and independent. They also work for middleware producers, an increasingly important sector providing cross-platform graphics rendering, game physics, sound management, AI, and other specialist tools. Programmers might also work for localisation companies which translate and re-version games for different territories."

Its the job of the lead programmer to translate the design into a technical specification for the game and then gives tasks to the programming team.

The game programmer makes the code for the main game, programming the physics and how the user interacts with objects in game. 

The tools programmer designs custom tools that could be needed by artists or level editors then build them with the required specifications. 

The AI programmers create in game mobs and NPCs that interact with the player in a hostile or non-hostile way. It is the programmers job to program how the character interacts with both its environment, other mobs and the player. 

General programmers will be tasked with a range of different tasks and would often use a pre-written code from a different programmer.   

To become a programmer you need to be well trained in programming languages. C++, C and other languages are good to learn. You generally need a degree to become a programmer, this could be a maths, physics or computer science degree. A lot of new entrants have also got a post graduate qualification as well. 

potential employers will most likely give you a test or ask for a demonstration of your programming capabilities. It can also help to have knowledge of contemporary game hardware platforms and the latest software development techniques. 

 Programmer abilities:
- The ability to program in C++, C  and other programming languages.
- Be systematic and highly organised.
- Have the ability to work on your own initiative as well as in a team.
- Have good communication skills.
- Specific platform experience. e.g: Wii, Xbox, PlayStation, etc.
- Have a good understanding of game play and what people enjoy about certain games.
- Good at taking instructions and working to deadlines.
- Creative and good at problem solving
- knowledge of the requirements of the relevant health and safety legislation and procedures.  

I have had some experience in programming in the past but didn't enjoy it. I find it too complex and boring and I am putting it as my Last choice.

Game Designer:
The game designer plans the games elements: it's settings, structure, story flow, rules, characters, objects, props, vehicles and devices used by the player, interface design and different modes of play.
Once they have done this they will then communicate this to the development team who will then create the art assets and code that are needed for the game to work. 

They don't usually come up with the game premise, they normally take the game premise and decide how to make the best game with the budget and timescale and the 'core ingredients' that are defined in the games ideas.

During the development it is their job to make adjustment to the original specifications so the game matches the technical constraints. 

The game designers train the QA testers to make sure they understand their role and whats expected of them. 

After the research into the type of game they're creating, the designers create a 'concept document' that is used to help persuade the rest of the team that the game is worth making and putting money into. 
Once it has been approved the game designer will sit down with a group of artists and coders to make a prototype whilst the game designer puts together a full game design document. This document is referred to by all the development staff throughout the creation process. The document will talk about the playing experience expected, the functionality and the associated art and animation that would be required to make it.

There is no specific qualification needed to be a game designer but a lot of people entering the gaming community are graduates.

There is no set route to becoming a game designer, although one of the easier ways is to become a QA as it offers good grounding in the development process as well as access to software tools and an insight into all the different jobs. 

In most cases, as well as having a degree, you will be expected to have a gained a good level of responsibility and industry knowledge. 

To be a Game designer you have to:
- Be able to work in collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams.
- Ability to present your ideas both verbally and on paper.
- Be imaginative and creative.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Skilled in information design and user interface design.
- Have storytelling and narrative development skills.
- Good basic visual 2D and 3D graphics and animation packages, such as 3D Studio Max, NUKE or Maya.
- Ability to communicate your vision to artists, programmers, producers, marketing staff and others involved in the development process.
- Knowledge of requirements of relevant health and safety legislation requirements.
- Possess a thorough understanding of gameplay theory.
- Ability to think systematically and strategically. 
- Have an awareness of the various game platforms and technologies.
- Have some programming skills at least at a scripting level.

I am putting this as my Second Choice as it would be cool to work with all different aspects of game developers and be able to input ideas. I have little knowledge in coding. I am not the best at verbal communications thought.