Learn to Code or Game Design? Which is better? (and why?)

[@nameplaceholder]

When I was at the university, we all wanted to become game designers and there were only few people that could program. I pulled the short straw in my group and ended up programming all the designs we came up throughout all our projects. The programming kinda grew on me, since I liked designing and optimizing systems and making them fun. Nowadays, I'm kind of the guy that sits with the designers and 'translates' to the programmers in a language they can understand and to also tell them what's just impossible to do within certain time budgets. I feel that the programmers and designers are a lot better than me, but having a diverse skill set can work out, too, I guess. Just do both! lol

[@zenahrb8316]

Does your position have a name? Like... Technical Art translator or something.

[@nameplaceholder]

@@zenahrb8316 I wish it had a cool name like Technical Designer or something, but I'm basically a Lead Programmer, since I was the only programmer back then and when people joined I just slipped into that role. It's funny how I'm the one that actually programs the least. lol

[@kserra9112]

@JuJu I hear there's this guy name " Jason Weimann", that has some content covering this topic of coding.

[@MrCorrectify]

"Game Designers" are idea guys. Everyone is one and everyone thinks they're the best. They usually wax philosophically about the state of gaming and how the world is unjust and won't give them a chance. Coders, artists, and project managers tend to be doers, and have the real world experience to know what ideas will work and why, as well as how to delegate tasks and distribute resources. Those are your future game designers and where you should spend your time if you actually want a shot at what is essentially a rockstar job (small handful of well paid positions in the world). I guess there's also rich people who can just throw money at a project and call themselves whatever they want.

[@khevan5277]

That’s exactly the kind of thing I love doing too. Having knowledge in both fields so I can help in communication and also be able to do both tasks to a somewhat decent degree

[@sandorhahn9441]

Learn both, they both help each other. And stay physically/socially healthy while you're doing it

[@sandorhahn9441]

there's an argument to be made in the favor of learning both, plus freedom as an artist/programmer is what we want right?

[@yuxanne.]

@@sandorhahn9441 there's always a learning curve anyways, you just gotta go through it to get set and comfortable with what you do I don't know code but as a music producer, and illustrator those are my thoughts. Game design I kind of have an advantage already being someone who draws and makes music, I do a little writing too lol, so coding is just another skill I want

[@gedludek8245]

“Stay physically/socially healthy”… menacing words.

[@gedludek8245]

I mean, you wrote like it’s an unusual thing to do both.

[@AcridDragoon]

mental health, physical health, programming, game design- pick 2 or less

[@MadSki11s]

"So my first game design interview, Went great! But I did not get the job."

[@Unity3dCollege]

Too funny and true... I should see if the guys who interviewed me even remember it or if they do and remember it completely differently :) may be getting together with one of them soon, now I've got something to talk about :)

[@LumbridgeTeleport]

Warcraft 3 orb of fire human merchant shop.

[@larryboles5064]

I bombed my first design interview too. But don't give up if that's what you really want to do. I kept trying and got in eventually. Been working as a designer for over 14 years now. Now I'm trying to pick up my coding skills so I can expand my options, try to release some of my own things.

[@marcellbalog]

@@larryboles5064 Are you perhaps a designer at Blizzard?

[@larryboles5064]

@@marcellbalog Yes sir

[@axolniz6597]

I'm studying computer science, but always wanted to be a designer, after a while I found out that if you know how to code properly, getting into game design and really understanding what's possible or not is much easier for you. Coding is such a valuable skill, you can't lose anything if you learn it. After my bachelor in computer Sc I'm gonna apply for a short term game design program. I don't love coding, I know it's not for me but I wanna push through all these mathematics and problems to understand what it really takes to make a game.

[@justsomeguywithasandwich5906]

This is basically what I plan on doing in the future as well, study CS and get a bachelor degree. Get a job, and spend my free time learning about Game design and 2/3D Animation. I don’t like math, but I like the idea of being able to create a game. Maybe I’ll come back here to this comment in a few years for updates. I wish you the best of luck! Stay motivated!

[@jmlopezponce]

WoW, I feel exactly the same way. I study CS too and I also wanted to be a designer. I'm plannig take a course of 3D odeling/Animation when I get a bachelor on CS. It's really nice to know people who feel the same way I do. however I do love coding, and I have been learning Computers Graphics which is an amazing field that combines Math, Design and Programming and helps you to understand all the magic behind the game engines. Have a nice day. Sorry by my english :)

[@phunguyenminh2225]

damn, i felt the same way.

[@TRW-7764]

Bro i exactly feel the way you felt 2 years ago. I wanted to know after 2 years did you change your decision? Was it a good choice to learn computer science but do game design?

[@kevinmiles5857]

"Anybody can do Game Design, most people can't do it well". Amen. Even at a professional level this is true.

[@fdevstudio5692]

You are muslim?

[@Sammysapphira]

Explains why so many game devs are out of touch with players.

[@StygianStyle]

@@fdevstudio5692 "Amen" is a Christian prayer word.

[@JacobKinsley]

Animal crossing new horizons designers take note

[@Speculaas]

Same goes for drawing.

[@nosirrahx]

In the broader software industry you see a disconnect between the "idea guys" and the developers. A critically overlooked position is a liaison between the developers and "idea guys". This liaison understands both the idea phase and actual coding enough that they can effectively mediate the misunderstandings between the two teams. The takeaway from this is that if you learn design and coding you automatically unlock an additional potential job as liaison.

[@orionmedivh5859]

I think in software industry the ‘liaison guy’ are usually called software architect/director, etc?

[@nosirrahx]

@@orionmedivh5859 Maybe director but the architects are still designing stuff. This was just my observation watching people that were amazing at creating solutions and people that were amazing at coding solutions not having an easy time communicating with each other.

[@orionmedivh5859]

@@nosirrahx yeah, communication gap always exists and there's no easy solution for that.

[@vornamenachname594]

@@orionmedivh5859 it's generally part of the role of the designer who interfaces with the dev lead who translates it into tasks

[@stefke1993carina]

As a young game designer who's struggling with coding my own game, this video really helped! Thank you :)

[@stefke1993carina]

@Yeet Yeet Not really. However, I did manage to make a prototype that got me into a program where I had a team, so I had programmers there to work with :D

[@hipxel]

Mee too!

[@coar119]

im 12 years old

[@YourKyckling]

@@coar119 Cool bro, it's good to start young

[@nathanhung9057]

Took comp sci and game dev in high school. Loved it so much that I was able to use these skills in college combining the medical field and education. Now doing rehab research with game dev as well!

[@thomasmadden3080]

Can you elaborate on that more?

[@dhirendersingh3687]

Yeah man what do you do for living ??

[@vijayach3523]

That was great bro

[@GuitarListen]

@@meowv34 CS is pretty prevalent in HS. Game dev though, never heard that lol

[@lou9605]

Woah we dont have comp sci here till college :/

[@Zeriel00]

Learn to code so when you can't get a job in game design you don't starve to death

[@Bananenbauer123]

This people. Wise words.

[@artemisDev]

@COVID-19 PANDEMIC Or resist being a pandemic virus

[@freelanceart1019]

@COVID-19 PANDEMIC the weaboos called you a hoax now in Japan, the Hikikomoris dead bodies are piling up.

[@thedemonnoof4383]

@@freelanceart1019 You would figure the hikikomoris would be the last to get it and die because they never leave their flats. They always self quarantine themselves from the world.

[@PanchomanPlusUltra]

I work in something really basic, gas delivery, part time, and in my spare time work on my game, everything self taught. My friend, who is studing informatic engineering always tells me "your code will always be bad cause you are not in college like ME, im a good coder cause Im at university and you're not blablabla" but I think hes just jealous cause I can code self taught and design and draw and compose music and design puzzles, etc. Basically what im trying to say is you dont need to study something "the propper way" (its better to have a degree but if you dont like to study, like me, you can do it by yourself), and you can make some money somewhere else while learning and developing your game! Sorry for my english, im not a native speaker and im stupid i cant help it.

[@victorliebenberg2803]

Love to write: Check Love to design: Check Addicted to video games: ABsooLutelY GAME DESIGN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@pussinboots9983]

Game Design is the creative side of a game developer. Programming is the logical side of a game developer.

[@cortesschemes7053]

@@pussinboots9983 what do you mean.

[@ThisisCitrus]

@@cortesschemes7053 What he said is pretty self explanatory.

[@prinniesforeveryone321]

​@@pussinboots9983 That's not the case at all. Programming takes a huge amount of creativity. You also need a toolset to back it up. At university I went to school with programmers and game design students. It was very very evident that the design students weren't going to be getting jobs when they graduated. Generally everyone can think of design. Not having any skills to apply it with means guess what? You're useless and nobody will hire you and I don't want you as a team member. In fact, yesterday someone messaged me saying my teammate and me seemed like we "get the job done" and when I asked what actual applicable skills he had he said "mostly design and writing" which to someone who can actually work in engine and actually IMPLEMENT IDEAS translates to "i wan maek gaem idea and have oders make it for me".

[@egemenozan5641]

@@prinniesforeveryone321 great observation. A designer cant push their game to great lengths without knowing the limits of programming.

[@RealCoachMustafa]

I've been trying to be a game designer for so long and now I'm learning to program so I can be a programmer instead. The killer thing about being a designer is that your skills are not useful anywhere else. If you can't get a job as a game designer, you're boned. At least programmers can take their skills elsewhere and be software developers, plus software devs make more money.

[@007MrYang]

you get some soft skills and some industry knowledge, but yeah, programming might be the better bet.

[@ahalan13]

You can just make the safe way tho, apply for progamming while you train your writing, so one day you can use your reputation to switch jobs.

[@juanalvarado7794]

Whats a good way to learn programing and what language should I stick with? Im currently taking a course in Udemy for C# for unity engine. Is this a good way? Where should i go next?😀

[@samljer]

@@juanalvarado7794 C# UnityDev is a decent way, AAA studios do make some stuff with it. but C++ with Unreal looks a lot better on paper. and is hugely more popular for most studios. Unity is easier to fiddle with if you want to solo make some games though, a lot easier. If you learned blender, with unity and C#, you could literally solo create a game as many have. it wont take nearly as long as it would with Unreal.

[@vijaykvk1426]

@@samljer hello

[@GreedAndSelfishness]

Its real tough making a game on your own. Programming, modeling, animating, designing, writing, texturing...Without Unity/Unreal and Internet this shit would be almost impossible. And of course, passion is a must if you want to create a game. You must be 100% in. Time and love.

[@kdmaarof8387]

unity have a feature call team of work > and with this feature you will contact with a lot of folks who are in this programming unity , they will help you to complete your project , also you don't have invite strangers people , you just can invite you friends who , also work in the same fields . with unreal program I don't have much info about this program unfortunately, because literally I work with only program who is ( unity ) . And is also who makes a choice to start firstly with unity , i just told him he's / she's with the right choice . Sincerely

[@GreedAndSelfishness]

@@kdmaarof8387 Thats interesting.

[@EnRaye]

...

[@newsmansuper2925]

Daisuke Amaya , hold my pixel.

[@Salmontres]

Yes, please try to get some game designers for a quick interview. I would love to see that!

[@pattech3960]

Tip: It's not about which is better, it's about what you like to do :) For example, I love to do programming. So I would choose the Coding

[@kserra9112]

Anyone likes what they do when they get good at it. I didn't like coding, but I pushed through enough and now I'm better at coding than I am at art, which is what I went to school for. So its really about being the type of person who looks at learning new things as the best use of their time.

[@suplextrain]

"Anyone likes what they do when they get good at it." False. I was really good at my prior profession and it was a well paying job, but I didn't like doing it at all. I also had to study a lot of high level math back in school but I didn't enjoy doing it one bit, even though I got good grades. You CAN start enjoying something once you get more into it, but that's not a guarantee.

[@fdevstudio5692]

I learned both

[@sonicraft9996]

Cringe

[@orionmedivh5859]

It is the very few who can truly turn their passion to their career. Sometimes, it’s the career chose you :(

[@ProfFibi]

That bit about game devs being able to make a prototype of a game idea on their own really solidified programming for me. Thanks so much for explaining everything so clearly.

[@brianpangburn5573]

definitely interested in learning how to find work game programming , especially when you don't live anywhere near any game companies

[@carabidus]

Thank you for this honest disclosure! I would imagine that digital artists who generate the assets have an even tougher time getting full time work. There are a LOT out there with the skills and I'm sure even super talented folks fall through the cracks.

[@dreamingacacia]

I'm a solo indie game developer, A lot going through my brain here. I'm glad that the wall is quite high so not just anybody could stay in this path for long. Well I don't have any published game yet, but I fall enough to know that I would never give up.

[@dreamingacacia]

@@ericalbers3923 though it's true, but my ego say something else. I would rather die with it than just give up on my path.

[@ZoidbergForPresident]

@@dreamingacacia Good luck to you, may trends not get in your way. ;)

[@Ne0mega]

With you Acacia. Two years Solo dev now, lots of pain, not even close to giving up. Technology is rapidly progressing, constantly making easier and easier to use programs. I'll get there in the end. And like you, I am glad the wall is high.

[@dreamingacacia]

@@Ne0mega I think the rapidly growth on technology is still irrelevant right now especially solo dev. If you use mainstream engine you'll never got outdated, folks with their personal custom engine would be quite hard there unless they know what they're doing.

[@yulihere]

Hey! How's your game going so far? hope you're still working!!!

[@nivalius]

legend says once upon a time there was no difference between game designers and programmers

[@techpriest4787]

I know, right. :D

[@TheGrifhinx]

A designer, be it game or software design, needs to learn/know how to code. It's their personal assurance that they know whatever it is that they're talking about

[@BudLeiser]

100% THIS! Great video. Wish this was out 10 years ago for myself and for others. You should have mentioned that theres NOTHING wrong with a game designer taking courses in programming. In fact it will really help them land those interviews AND if they ever want to make their own games they can. LISTEN TO 37 year old me, if you wanna make/design games go learn programming!

[@jordangales6633]

Any tips for a novice to find a good mentor or someone to point me in the right direction. I have a lot of questions and goals.

[@axolniz6597]

You made this comment 2 years ago and I listened to it. I'm studying computer science, but always wanted to be a designer, after a while I found out that if you know how to code properly, getting into game design and really understanding what's possible or not is much easier for you. Coding is such a valuable skill, you can't lose anything if you learn it. After my bachelor in computer Sc I'm gonna apply for a short term game design program. I don't love coding, I know it's not for me but I wanna push through all these mathematics and problems to understand what it really takes to make a game.

[@BudLeiser]

@@axolniz6597 That's awesome brother good for you!

[@EnRaye]

...

[@diysly6950]

You are SO right! I come from web developpement, 20 years of fullstack experience. I started to work on game stuff (physics and VR) as a enthousiast and this is seriously a challenge. Web APIs are so easy to master and even to create... I just finished a API for my client to let them sell online through resellers, it took 2 big weeks and its done! But my VR module? I have been putting in a 20 hours a week for 1 and a half years and still no release. Jeez...

[@t-dabbingt-dabber2298]

Every person looking to develop games should watch this video.

[@Digitalgaming]

Wow dude you just oppened my mind to how different these two discipline are, thank you! Maybe going with programing first and then diving into the design aspect of things might be a better idea. Thanks Jason!

[@seagullfire2764]

As an new indie game developer who is having to do everything, what I learned from this video is I really REALLY wish I could afford to hire a game coder to help free me to be just a designer. I'm having to learn to code enough to finish my first game. Hopefully at least, if I can grow my company for future games my coding knowledge will just make it easier to work with programmers and be a better designer for them to work for.

[@JAKEAVALON-rg8xm]

you can hire

[@0pp4R1t1on]

Thank you sooo much for saying this! I love how you just talked about the daily tasks and skill sets of each role, along with what kind of person/interests align with the role. Everywhere I see, people attribute this a race war between game art, game programming, and game design when they're all supposed to work together. Even in college, by teachers, everyone had to validate why there tribe was the best and for the longest time I never had a concrete understanding about what they (especially game designers do. I would love to see more videos on game design and all the other stuff that go into the process (pre-planning, producing, quality assurance, etc.). Love your insights.

[@Remi10pm]

This sounds sooo FUN. I'm an Artist (Graphic Design, Animation) & I was considering software development... but its like do I have a passion for it? But your description sounds like Game Programming is something I would love to do on a day to day. I could also design and* create my own projects!! ^__^

[@alancurson8009]

I curently am in university and 4 months away from my Bacholers degree in Game Design. I want to say thank you, this has helped me see the difference between the two because though I have learned alot about game design I learned what is probably considered basics of coding and I am not very good at it but I was really hoping I would be better at coding comeing in to my degree, I was under the impression that coding was synonamous with game design and I did not really understand why I did not have more classes going over C#/C++ or any other coding language for that matter. I am not saying this because I feel that the university has done wrong, I love where I am going to school. I think it was more that I didnt understand and I my classes are very fast paced. It was not obviuos that they are quit different jobs. So again thank you for this video.

[@RachelWilliams-um1en]

Hello, how are you doing today??

[@guilhermeissaRbbr]

I imagine game designers for fighting games might as well be cuffed to the art team knowing how much animation, frames and visibility are essential for the design of any fighting game character

[@darshan9188]

I would love a video about the work conditions, work hours and income for game design and game programming

[@setayeshfatehi3760]

Work hours 👌I like my eyes, but I'd like to be a programmer too, somehow the thing that scares me is, if I become a programmer, do I have to were glasses after some years? 😶

[@HVACTechMechanic]

I'm glad this video was recommended to me. You are great at explaining things! I have a full time job and only want to program/design for fun but this was very informative.

[@romankusakin6650]

It is impossible to argue with you, no one wants to lose customers. Refreshing cheers!

[@MTrax]

I‘ve been working as a non game Android dev since 2011. I kinda feel the same about the auto pilot mode. Most of the time we do the same stuff under different names with different with different architecture. Even in a mobile development environment, which is the fastest changing besides game dev that I can think of, it’s really nothing new. I never made the change to a game dev though. Mostly because of money. I feel that you do not get paid as good as a regular developer. I don’t say that I do not like what I am doing. The team is most of the times awesome. Since there are less constrains, you can actually influence the products you build. But something inside of me always drags me back to the idea to becoming a game developer.

[@RachelWilliams-um1en]

Hello 👋 How are you doing 😊

[@audiekirk9918]

27yr old and have messed around with design for a couple years as a hobby, now deciding to learn coding full time and design on my free time! Wish me luck!

[@frawsten]

Thanks so much for this video! I’ve been trying to get a grasp of what I want to specifically study in college and this vid explained a lot to me and showed me that I’d lean more towards programming

[@edendru3831]

I believe most people underestimate the value of programming. The thought that learning game development and becoming successful is such an oversold dread, that people forget that they should be learning skills that will provide a career for them. Since 90% of us won’t make a game that actually profits worth the time and work out into it. People have water so much time jumping from tutorial to tutorial with different coding styles and ending. Up with a mess of code and confused. We should be focused on a career first, and if the game developers succeeds then great. This was an insightful and inspiring video. Thank so much!

[@mykilpee]

Same reason why I've always wanted to get into games...

[@thecharliewhiskey]

Starting my journey as a game dev right now and this was phenomenal information! Thanks for sharing!

[@RachelWilliams-um1en]

Hello 👋 How are you doing 😊😊😊

[@noanyobiseniss7462]

You want to know how you know a interview went well? When the guy says "when can you start".

[@GotCamel]

WOW!!! I have been fighting myself on whether I want to go to school for game design or programming and you cleared that right up for me! Game programming it is! Thank you so much for all of this info!!

[@Bahcorp]

Do both and feel happy like me.

[@joecorr288]

Exactly!

[@Programm4r]

game design is a very broad subject (level design, content design, lore, mechanics, etc.) I stick to programming and gameplay mechanics. But i've done it all.

[@RangeFlam3r]

@@Programm4r Do you have any school experience? If so, what do you recommend for someone who has zero experience but just a want, to get into the industry

[@Programm4r]

XRP PHOENIX yes, I’ve got school experience in games and web. It’s hard to say what to recommend, I don’t know anything about you. Are you looking for good paying jobs? I’d recommend into programming. In addition there’s a lot of employers (not just for games) looking for programmers. Computer science would be the best route to take. Have you ever worked in campaign editors or map editors? If that’s your thing, level design would be up your alley. You can also use your mods or maps as portfolio pieces. Whatever you decide, be sure you learn or take a couple courses in “agile scrum.” That’s how software developers work in large teams to manage projects. You’ll need it.

[@GreedAndSelfishness]

You dont seem very happy in your profile pic.

[@StarlasAiko]

Finish the game is the most important rule I keep coming across. Start with just making a Minimum Viable Product that has not even any graphics, only simple geometrical boxes and the two or three most fundamental functions of the game idea. Then expand from there, finishing one aspect at a time before moving to the next function/feature. Brainstorm all the features you would like to see in the game and then start removing items from the list until only the fewest features needed for it still being the game you want remain in the list. Perfection is not when there is nothing more you can add, perfection is when there is nothing left to take away.

[@dukemagus]

Jason, could you do a video about general "types" of programming jobs you can get in a big game company? Like grahics/shader programmer, database, network, AI, simulation, etc. What's better to focus on each, what's the "difficulty level" of each, recommended tools and languages to learn, etc.

[@NavyaVedachala]

This would be really helpful

[@BushSage]

One of my best friend's codes and I do game design. We had a lot of talks about me not being able to help him properly so instead I learned 3d modelling and animation so our talents compliment each other.

[@justinwhite2725]

Thanks for this. I'm a programmer that's been trying to start my own game studio - what you said about 'if you know how to code it's easy to get non game work' A friend of a friend of mine needed a unity programmer to do someAR work with vuforia (basically animating painted window murals). I had never done anything with AR/VR but I've got the all working and we've been doing events all over Calgary for 3 years. I have no degree in programing completely self taught but I picked up just enough to make money programming in unity even if it's not on games.

[@acetown2263]

Hell yeah man, you're living my dream =) I'm jealous but in a good way. Someday this coding will click with me I hope!

[@blackknightjack3850]

There was a programming firm that hosted a game developer meetup every month and I remember asking exactly what kind of work a firm like this would be taking part in that would require a professional programmer and the answer I got made it sound like they primarily made applications akin to forms you can make in Access. It sounded like they developed things you can learn to program yourself with about a year of simple college programming classes.

[@juanalvarado7794]

Whats a good way to learn programing and what language should I stick with? Im currently taking a course in Udemy for C# for unity engine. Is this a good way? Where should i go next?😀

[@justinwhite2725]

@@juanalvarado7794 C# and unity are what I use, so it's well enough. At any rate the biggest thing to take away is the thought patterns behind programming and not the language itself. Once you understand the flow of code it doesn't matter what language you use really. Different languages have some special features that are handy, though. C# and the. Net suite are heavily object oriented based.

[@retex73]

Awesome course ! The pace was excellent - I didn't feel like I was racing to keep up hitting pause every few seconds. Great concepts and I really feel like I can go away and create a (basic) 2D game. Thank you for all your hard work

[@warpzone8421]

Why not learn neither and just take peoples' money for ten years for a game that takes two weeks to make, like Yandere Dev?

[@ronkeylinarizini8049]

Lol

[@deadmeme1296]

I WASNT EXPECTING THAT 💀💀💀

[@AugustJayGames]

@@i-p1363 or.....OR.... you have no idea what he's talking about and are just a random rude person on the internet.

[@strrawberrytekken3698]

@@AugustJayGames must of been that cause i-p13 be gone LMAO

[@AugustJayGames]

@@strrawberrytekken3698 lmao I don't know what I was right about but I'm happy about it

[@bladelazoe]

5:41 This is definitely a curious position. Tools development, making tools that simplify the entire process and make it easier for other people to do their jobs.

[@benoitrousseau4137]

With the atrocious crunch and overwork culture of the game industry, having the option to branch out and get an 8 to 5 job with Fridays off is definitely a massive advantage that comes with being a programmer, especially once you have kids and want to see them grow. I wouldn't say that non-game programmer jobs are easy though. (You definitely don't want bad a mediocre programmer to work in embedded systems, hardware drivers or safety critical stuff.) It's mostly web and mobile development that is mindbogglingly easy (and boring...) and that seem to be 80% of the job offers I see.

[@orionmedivh5859]

Had same thoughts about the ‘non-game programmer jobs are easier ‘ part. There are easy ones, of course, but there are also challenging ones as well, e.g. in the AI/ML field.

[@animesh6535]

Thanks for making this video It just made all the thing so clear in my mind

[@Akrymir]

Great video. Tools and engine coders are very under appreciated outside of the industry. As a programmer who went to school for game development but got into enterprise software, I'd recommend going to a good school for a CS degree instead of a game focused one. This gives you more options and more stability. You can get a non game dev job right out of school while working on the game development skills on the side. This way you can look for a job you want in game development instead of getting stuck with a job you need to pay the bills. Many of the programmers I know in the games industry do not work on the kinds of games they want to. That's not the say they are unhappy with their job, just that the job isn't as rewarding as it could be which is important when you consider sacrifices that come with game development. Also, most of the game specific schools do a terrible job teaching you the skills you need to know. If you are going to go to a game dev school then I'd highly recommend Digipen in Redmond, WA.

[@JustGabe]

When you mentioned the benefits of a Game Designer, recognition was the very first thing that came into mind, and no why they get almost all the credits: they're the masterminds of a game and the directors that make everything fit well together. While the programmers' job is undoubtedly important, they don't get even half the recognition because you can find several great programmers, but very few great designers.

[@RachelWilliams-um1en]

Hello, how are you doing 😊😊

[@Panosky]

I see a lot of people either saying that game design by itself is tricky to find a job in the field, so you need to learn game design and programming. Well, I am a game designer and have a background in growth marketing and business analysis (and am a History with Archaeology graduate) and they go together great. Programming is not the only profession to mix with game design, branch out to what you like/think it provides value - besides programming or game design, you need an extra edge over everyone else who stays in the box.

[@diegosmurillo]

Hey, I'm a 3d level designer with a degree in marketing, would like to ask you how?

[@Panosky]

@@diegosmurillo how I mix the two?

[@diegosmurillo]

@@Panosky yeah, how much money you can get, how it could be for international worker, etc.

[@Panosky]

@@diegosmurillo if you want, I have the whole recipe for success; details everything, how much money, in how much time, where, when, why etc.

[@diegosmurillo]

@@Panosky yeah sure, I appreciate some advice, got Facebook or Instagram?

[@frostbite000]

im still young to seek a job but man this video was like an answer to every question i had about game developing and you made me choose my career like 99%. Thanks :)

[@PorthoGamesBR]

A good game designer need to know just enough about every area in the making of a game, so i think the best aproach is to learn game design and choose a specialization (An area that you will learn more about than the others). IF you want to make games as a hobby or just want to work in the area because its lucrative, i recomend programming or other specialized area (Art, music, special effects, etc).

[@Swissdiv]

Man 6 minutes into the video and you made such an inpact on my life I swear!

[@sockMonster241]

New sub, very interested in game design. Expanding on that would be super helpful, especially since you're actually in the industry. A lot of channels out there talk about game design but don't really have experience doing it or dealing with designers. It's a big topic and finding good information is tough. Thanks a lot, and great video 👍

[@sconosciutosconosciuto2196]

Best game developer yt channel

[@nickyoutube3757]

Programming may be reasonably easy to learn, but physics and math is hard.

[@JaguarPanda]

you can program a lot of different game types that won't rely on crazy physics, as for math, you'll probably mainly use vector maths... pretty easy stuff really.

[@thedesertfox7502]

Programming has basic maths. It's pure logic

[@paglaith5561]

There are libraries for everything. You don't even need to know the maths to use them.

[@anirudhkumar9139]

@@thedesertfox7502 Well depends. Most programs do require simple arithmetic only, but for more advanced and research based things, the maths gets much more complex. Also I think Nick is talking about the courses in college rather than the ones you face in day to day work tbh.

[@slash148]

Funny thing is... Maths and Physics are not much harder than programming itself. It is just that the way physics and maths is teached in schools is not the best, and that made us hate them. If you were thaught programming in school, you'd probably think it is hard too. Wanna try? Look for free math and physics courses here in youtube. Search for one that teaches in a way you find easy to follow, and you will be amazed of your own progress.

[@MidKnight_Sicario187]

Hey I’m starting school for video game coding this august. I just wanted to say I appreciate how upfront you are about the day to day of the job. I was really on the fence about design and programming. So thank you for making this video.

[@salehamini2036]

Please talk more about how you get paid and also if possible brings a designer to have some talk. Love you

[@julianb4432]

Im interested in that expounded pay side video. I study Interactive Media in Sydney Australia. Originally I entered into the bachelors to become a game designer, but more and more I discover everyday that it seems MUCH more rewarding to be a programmer with a flair for design, rather than a designer with a flair for programming? Still making up my mind on how I want to try and enter the industry. Finishing up my third year of study after 1.5 more semesters. Your channel is a godsend.

[@pastuh]

Created a lot of maps for TF2 , Counter-Strike , Starcraft and so on.. Created some tools with Javascript.. So it's time to create game :X

[@JoJo_Kaiser]

Are any tf2 maps you made in the official map roster?

[@pastuh]

@@JoJo_Kaiser in official map no, but in random servers sometimes appears :) "pastuh gamebanana"

[@JoJo_Kaiser]

@@pastuh Shame that none of them are in the official maps, but i'm glad to hear that you left a mark on the game :)

[@Gords1229]

hi Jason, Yes I would more content on game design (guests will be amazing also) and Yes i would like more content on jobs/pay for programmers/game deveoplers (junior to senior roles) i have seen some of your stuff before as I was looking for tutorials on some programing stuff i needed to do as part of a Game dev degree. As I am almost completed that degree this topic is something that is on the forfront of my mind as I move into the industry. subbed and hope to see more great stuff on the channel

[@CodemasterJamal]

I think when I finally start searching for a job, I'm going to go into Programming. I can get into Programming a lot more. Game Design is interesting but, I prefer to design systems and tools that people can use.

[@NukeCloudstalker]

designing tools for game designers feel an awful lot like a game in and of itself to me! It's so f*cking satisfying to make a tool that is flexible and unbreakable, that the designers suddenly use in ways neither they nor yourself saw coming! It's a lot of fun! However, when they suddenly make 10.000 nested objects with a tool that wasn't made with that purpose in mind, that can spell trouble, lol. But really, making the tools for people to make good games, feels very much like playing some sim-/engineering-game like Factorio or the like. I can only recommend it - although I haven't done it in any strictly professional setting yet, only in an internship semester at uni.

[@zodiaq7186]

This video really opened my eyes. Thanks Jason!

[@santoscolon530]

god why can’t I find the exact answer to my questions like this everytime

[@selahk4977]

I like that your poster crossed out the word "HARD." It reads that people are already working hard as is. Which is generally the case. It gives the wall more white space as well.

[@michaelros7817]

Hey there, since you were mentioning tools design so prominently, could this be something that you could perhaps sometime do a (couple of) video(s) about? Like more imroving the UnityEditor kind of stuff, making tools that designers could potentially use?

[@Akeiga]

Awesome video yet again! Thanks Jason!

[@vikingghost117]

I would love to know what a good place to start is for getting into programming tools and what not for games. My background is basically college drop out because I suck at school but I love programming. I instead have been taking Udemy and Skill share courses for Full stack Dev and QA. I've even gone to a full stack bootcamp and made it through the first 2 stacks. Currently I'm trying to just get my foot in the door anywhere and because of my experience in programming QA seemed like the easiest way into the computer science/tech field, I'm getting interviews and all that so I feel it's only a matter of time before I get a job in the QA field and automation, but I KNOW I don't want to stay there. I just love making things too much to stay in a position where I'm just testing other things that other people are making. Don't get me wrong it's an important part of the process, and definitely beneficial for me in seeing the big picture.... I guess my question is, how do I move forward from here? My basic plan is once I'm settled at a new job that pays the bills, I'm going to devote all my free time to learning Unity, and Blender so I can just start building things... get confident enough to do some game jams and hopefully get some recognition and potentially employed that way, or at least have it on a resume. I like many people here have plllllenty of ideas for what would make a cool game story and fun game play, but I just want to see those ideas come to fruition sooner rather than never, you know what I mean? Not like I"m asking for shortcuts, but just the fastest track possible. I don't care if I have to take a pay cut even just to get in, as long as there's a way upward and forward. THANKS FOR THIS CHANNEL AND ALL YOU DO! Super useful and I come away edified every time.

[@AwesomelyVideos]

good luck with your endeavors

[@vikingghost117]

@@AwesomelyVideos thank you :D. you as well

[@FlashThruEm]

Good luck hope your dreams come true I want to learn to code and program but I am thinking about using buildingblock first just to start off to see what it’s like to make a game without coding then transition to unity later on

[@shawn4664]

You do a great job of communicating your thoughts. Great video, glad to have found your channel.

[@mightyfineincredible2252]

I'm concerned and interested in game design. I've heard from many people that a degree in game design is completely useless, but I'm entirely aware that no one is going to hire me because of my 'game design' degree, but because of my portfolio. Just as it is with all other design and art related degrees - portfolio is what matters, degree does not. So, I've been wondering if I should get a degree in game design or not. I'm not really interested in programming or computer science since they get too technical for me, but I am willing to learn some programming while studying for a game design degree - I just don't want to make it my major. The subjects I AM interested in are writing, art, animation, music and design. I also wonder if cheap colleges are worth it. In Europe, there are many cheap colleges in the Netherlands, for example. I don't know if it's better to get a degree from a cheap European college or an expensive American/Asian one.

[@xXItzLazerzXx]

MightyFineIncredible Just to give some input on the topic of American colleges, as someone who is currently enrolled in one, I think that it’s worth noting that just because our schools are expensive doesn’t mean that they provide a higher quality of education. From my own experience, much of the curriculum is standardised (especially within the first two years), meaning that what you get at a community college here for $4,000 a semester can be identical to what a private school for $20,000 a semester can offer. The high cost is largely a product of private institutions exploiting the demand for post-high-school education in the workplace, in addition to the constant creep of attempting to “out do” other schools by making larger, more lavish campuses. Unless your concern is how the name of a specific school looks on your résumé (even then, the really prestigious colleges here tend to have ridiculously high application expectations and tuition costs) it may be a better idea to seek European schools (this said, I know much less about education in Europe in comparison to what we have here in the U.S.). While I’d genuinely suggest looking into the subject yourself, as only you can know what’s best for you, I hope that this was helpful.

[@TheHed94]

As a European, I can tell you that our colleges are on the same or even higher level than the one in US. The difference in price is because in Europe we see the education as an invest in the future, so they are accesible to anyone. Thats why its paid by tax payers and not the students. With that said, I completely agree with you about the necesity of degree in gaming or IT industry. You dont really need it, the skills you have are more important. BUT having a degree certainly helps, it never hurts. If there are two candidates with the same skills, guess who wins. Also college helps you grow as a person. You dont really know who you are until you attend one 😅

[@TheHed94]

@@xXItzLazerzXx Yea some schools are monetizing its name so hard. Its like Samsung or Apple, you pay the higher price just for the name. As I have written in the other comment here, EU schools are as good as the US ones. The price is just matter of different view about the education. We take education as an invest into future, thus making it cheap or free so anyone has opportunity to get proper education he deserves. Tax payers pay the difference. 😅

[@OnPoint760]

Thank you for this. your video helped me see the differences in specialties when creating a game.

[@masterctrlx1567]

The globe in the bottom right is moving. There now you're distracted.

[@steliosvagianos8445]

there is a special place for people like you in hell

[@circuitwave1]

>:(

[@CarnivoreChris89]

FFFFFFFFFFFFF....!!!

[@needthistool]

Joke's on you I don't read comments until after the video

[@skylergibson3161]

I'm about to go back to school this fall and I've been debating between literally these two positions and this video definitely had some important insight. I've always leaned towards design as I'm more creative than I am practical and logical, but I'm thinking of pushing towards programming for the stability and the ability to more efficiently turn the creative ideas I do have into something tangible. Thanks for making this video!

[@FerelWolfCat]

I'd like to see the salary video maybe cover all fields

[@Irishpierre1]

You're very informative, I appreciate the knowledge and experience you bestow onto your viewers! Your videos are nice and clean and you explain things as though you care, instead of "preaching" to a crowd!

[@NorthstriderGaming]

Meh, this makes the decision even harder because I love programming but also creating concepts. I mean most of my programming experience comes from programming emulators which involves alot of understanding the background mechanics of a game and I think this alone gave me quite some ideas how to approach a game properly in terms of programming.

[@peterfialka5315]

You mentioned you will add link to a podcast about game design but I don’t see it. Could you add it? 🙏

[@hurshwardhannashine6128]

Please talk about the jobs and their pays

[@kexyp]

You could literally search up this info, $70k - $100k Edit: it all depends on the success of the game itself

[@PeterMilko]

Some colleges teach both in one development degree. UCF is where I went. I started a game dev channel too. Will do Unity tutorials soon.

[@CoolingFifteenCoolingFifteen]

I went to Full Sail they teach game design and programming as well and a little bit of 3d modeling, so you'll be able to at least create some of your own models.

[@Lilith_TheDireGay]

It is possible to be both,though, if you're just starting out its a good idea to choose one and start from there.

[@R0ndras]

Focus on one, but know both. Basically. Even if its just to understand wtf is your partner/co-worker saying to you(if you have one)

[@Unreal5Dev]

This video really helped to clarify things for me. I'm a web developer for a good company, but I really can't stand web or ui development. I much prefer backend development. I've been wanting to get back to game programming after 5+ years away with a friend of mine who is more the artistic type (design, modeling, etc). In fact, I called in sick today just because I didn't want to go to work. Thanks for helping me to clarify what I already knew and put it in a better perspective!

[@ThisisCitrus]

When I went to school they were both the same thing, you couldn't even get close to the Game Industry unless you were a coder.

[@pure-kuro8573]

thank you very much, I kept getting confused with game design and game programming. You're awesome.

[@FerelWolfCat]

I feel like I'm towering over you when I watch your videos lol.

[@bombrman1994]

There is nothing in this world that makes me happy more than seeing other people getting happy over my creations.

[@regito6960]

I must admit programming ain't that bad either it's hard to choose what career you're going for when u listen to both side of the story

[@breadenthusiast]

Subscribed. Fantastic, content! FYI, I really dig your workspace!

[@alanlee67]

"Learning to code" as a requirement for game designers is stifling the industry. I get it. Coding games is more involved than ever before. But a lot of the revolutionaries like Hideo Kojima didn't really know how to code. So as the industry gets more complex, it will continue to devolve and games will become generic call of duty clones designed by committee with no innovation. You have to spend a lifetime studying the art and devoting yourself like shigeru miyamoto, hideo kojima, hironobu sakaguchi, john romero, Glenn Schoefield...etc to really make legendary innovative games. But being able to do that is probably impossible in this day and age.

[@alfonseeeee]

Thanks Jason. 27 year old here just starting out. I had many questions, which you answered. :)

[@VoteforDemocrapp]

The plot twist here is that designing means dreaming, and a programmer's dream is not your dream.

[@GemstoneHearts]

Keep up the great work Everyone! :) will be posting previews to my game dev and a few animations etc.

[@IGamingStation]

Here's an analogy that I think would be suitable for this: Steve Jobs --> game designer Steve Wozniak --> game programmer

[@orionmedivh5859]

It’s the same with every company actually, the people who makes high level design/decisions, and the people who work on the detail/implementation.

[@Greatdictator]

Hey i just came across this video today and i want to say THANK you for helping clear up on the diffrence cause i hear a lot when it comes to being a game designer needing to code / programming. Obviously it helps but im glad its not a nessecity (im more a creative myself haha )

[@JollySaintPhil]

I'm almost 30 and spent my whole life wanting to make games, but was always too hesitant bc of their complexity. For the first time ever, I feel like I have a clear idea of what skill I should focus on the enter game development.

[@forthehomies7043]

Good luck man it's not too late at all! Matter of fact, over half of game programmers are over 40 years old!

You are a great influence, Jason. Thank you for your videos.

[@RachelWilliams-um1en]

Hello, how are you doing today 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@cellsec7703]

I think anyone who wants to be a game designer should learn programming. EVERYONE has ideas for games. And I would assume most, if not all small teams don't have someone who just does "game design." I think generally the developers in a small team are the ones designing the mechanics too. The massive commercial games have someone who just does design, but how are you going to get that job without a portfolio of work? Someone who calls themselves a game designer and does not work for a massive company, just sounds like an "idea guy/girl" to me with no real skills. I am not saying game design does not take skill, just that how will you prove your ideas work without being able to develop anything? I am also not sure someone who can not develop code will know how to "design" a game properly for their team because they do not understand the scope of the work involved.

[@anthaguz]

I have always been a programmer but I got lost in the track of Tech Support. Watching this video got me back into programming and will continue to develop with the hope of eventually programming games. Any suggestion on what programming skills are better for game development would be appreciated!

[@RachelWilliams-um1en]

Hello 👋 How are you doing 😊😊😊