CAREER EXPLORATION PROJECT

EDUCATION LEVEL

• Bachelor’s Degree

ENDORSEMENT

• Business and Industry
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

JOB TASKS

• Review or evaluate competitive products, film, music, television, and other art forms to generate new game design ideas.
• Provide test specifications to quality assurance staff.
• Keep abreast of game design technology and techniques, industry trends, or audience interests, reactions, and needs by reviewing current literature, talking with colleagues, participating in educational programs, attending meetings or workshops, or participating in professional organizations or conferences
• Create gameplay test plans for internal and external test groups.
• Balance and adjust gameplay experiences to ensure the critical and commercial success of the product.
• Provide feedback to designers and other colleagues regarding game design features.
• Write or supervise the writing of game text and dialogue.
• Solicit, obtain, and integrate feedback from design and technical staff into original game design.
• Provide feedback to production staff regarding technical game qualities or adherence to original design.
• Prepare two-dimensional concept layouts or three-dimensional mock-ups.
• Present new game design concepts to management and technical colleagues, including artists, animators, and programmers.
• Oversee gameplay testing to ensure intended gaming experience and game adherence to original vision.
• Guide design discussions between development teams.
• Devise missions, challenges, or puzzles to be encountered in game play.
• Develop and maintain design level documentation, including mechanics, guidelines, and mission outlines.
• Determine supplementary virtual features, such as currency, item catalog, menu design, and audio direction.
• Create gameplay prototypes for presentation to creative and technical staff and management.
• Create and manage documentation, production schedules, prototyping goals, and communication plans in collaboration with production staff.
• Consult with multiple stakeholders to define requirements and implement online features.
• Conduct regular design reviews throughout the game development process.
• Collaborate with artists to achieve appropriate visual style.
• Document all aspects of formal game design, using mock-up screenshots, sample menu layouts, gameplay flowcharts, and other graphical devices.
• Create core game features including storylines, role-play mechanics, and character biographies for a new video game or game franchise.

TOP 10 RELEVANT KNOWLEDGE AREAS

• Computers and Electronics
• Design
• English Language
• Communication and Media
• Psychology
• Mathematics
• Engineering and Technology
• Fine Arts
• Administration and Management
• Clerical (of, relating to, or characteristic of the clergy)

TOP 10 RELEVANT SKILL AREAS

• Programming
• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Complex Problem Solving
• Reading Comprehension
• Judgement and Decision Making
• Time Management
• Active Learning
• Speaking
• Coordination

TOP 10 RELEVANT ABILITIES

• Originality
• Fluency of Ideas
• Near Vision
• Problem Sensitivity
• Oral Comprehension
• Written Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Deductive (provable by deriving conclusions by reasoning) Reasoning
• Inductive (employing mathematical or logical) Reasoning
• Information Ordering

WORK ACTIVITIES

• Thinking Creatively
• Interacting with Computers
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Communication with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Getting Information

WORK IMPORTANCE VALUES

• Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
• Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

CERTIFICATION

• Adobe Dreamweaver CS4
• Adobe Dreamweaver CS5
• Adobe Flash CS4
• Adobe Flash CS6
• Microsoft Visual Studio Gaming Development Fundamentals
• Rich Media Communication with Adobe Flash Professional CS6 (Fl)

TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY

• TOOLS: Audioconferencing systems: Audioconferencing systems; Desktop computers: Desktop computers; Fixed computer gaming console: Video gaming equipment; Mobile phones: Smart phones; Notebook computers: Laptop computers; Personal computers: Personal computers; Scanners: Computer data input scanners; Tablet computers: Tablet computers;
• TECHNOLOGY: Analytical or scientific software: Virtual Battlespace 2 VBS2; Data base user interface and query software: Structured query language SQL; Oracle software; Development environment software: Scheme; Simple DirectMedia Layer SDL; Microsoft High Level Shader Language HLSL; Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Suite software; ActionScript; Autodesk Scaleform; C; C for Graphics cg; Unity Technologies Unity; Device drivers or system software: Microsoft DirectX; Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook; Enterprise application integration software: Extensible markup language XML; Graphical user interface development software: Graphical user interfaces GUI; Microsoft Expression Blend; Graphics or photo imaging software: OpenGL; Microsoft Visio; Balsamiq Studios Balsamiq Mockups; 3D graphic design software; Autodesk Maya; Adobe Systems Adobe Flash; Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator; Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop software; Object or component oriented development software: C++; Lua; Microsoft Visual C#; Oracle Java; Objective C; Practical extraction and reporting language Perl; Python; Operating system software: Linux; Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint; Project management software: Microsoft Project; Atlassian JIRA; Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel; Video creation and editing software: Sound development software; Autodesk 3ds Max; Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects; Web platform development software: JavaScript; Word processing software: Microsoft Word;

LABOR MARKET INFORMATION

• 2017 Statewide average hourly wage-$43.54
• 2017 National average hourly wage-$43.79
• 2016 National employment-287,200
• 2016 Texas employment-17,241
• Texas projected employment by 2026-19,961
• Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2026-1,495

NATIONAL INDUSTRY EMPLOYMENT PATTERNS