In no particular order… Augmented Reality Let’s get augmented reality out of the way first…with Pokemon Go! It’ a huge hit with millions and millions of people. For a while, anyway. Ultimately, the gameplay was not compelling enough to retain the high numbers that Niantic nabbed right out of the gate. Despite the steep dropoff, […]
What's Going on in Gaming Today?
Over the last 20 years, the popularity of video games has significantly increased, completely changing the entertainment industry.
With improvements in technology and the growth of Esports, video games have finally taken the center stage. With that growth, the need for smart and creative video game designers, developers, and artists has risen to an all-time high.
Games that used to take 3-10 people to create, now take more than 100 and costs tens of millions of dollars. Even games designed for mobile devices can take years to create. But with so much money on the line (billions), it's more important than ever to produce something special.
With all that's changing it can be a little difficult to figure out where you fit in. For those interested in getting an education, becoming a professional game designer, or making games from home, we've organized our gaming industry archives to help you take the next step.
Check out some popular gaming articles:
The Importance of Game Localization
If you’re located in the US, you might have noticed that an interesting thing happens with the video game release dates. A US-based game studio typically releases to the US several weeks earlier than it releases to other parts of the world. Maybe you never thought much about that, but there’s a good reason why. Enter: […]
What Makes a Good Game so Much Fun?
The question on every game designer’s mind is the same: “How do I make a game that people will find fun, will become popular, and make a lot of money?” While there’s no simple answer, it never hurts to see what some of the best games have in common. Below you’ll find a few things […]
Do You Want to Make it to the Big League? Be Inspired by these Legendary eSports Athletes
Most gamers have spent at least a few minutes entertaining the idea of becoming a professional gaming athlete. Fame, money, recognition, accolades, respect — all for playing video games for a living (and kicking butt, too)! If you spend any time searching the internet, you’ll see that thousands of people pursue this dream. Not everyone […]
10 Game Design Studios in Canada That Have Stayed Ahead of the Competition
If you’re familiar with game design, you know there are great design studios all over the world. If you’re an American that enjoys playing games, it’s easy to forget that not every game is made in the United States! Further north is a beautiful place known as Canada. Within Canada are some brilliant, talented people […]
The 50 Most Popular Video Game Characters of All Time
In the decades since the inception of video games, the world has been #blessed with a treasure trove of excellent characters. There are the characters we hate. There are characters we love. The ones that strike fear into our hearts. The ones that make us cry tears of joy. This is a list made in […]
Is Indie Game Development A Good Career Choice? We Weigh the Pros & Cons. You Decide.
What Is Indie Game Development? Indie, which is short for “independent”, refers to a game made by one person or a small team, especially one without financial support from a publisher. This means that unlike the big-budget titles made by the top developers, indie games are made by people working on their own dime. While […]
10 Compelling Reasons Why You Should Pursue A Career in Video Game Design
While being a game designer often requires hard work, long hours, and plenty of creativity, there are also plenty of advantages. After all, there’s a reason why the position of video game designer is one that most aspiring game developers dream of finding themselves in someday. If you’re considering a career in game design, here are […]
The Beginners Guide to Twitch (The What, Who, and How of Using Twtich)
Twitch.tv made national headlines in 2014 when it was bought by Amazon.com for nearly $1 billion. This move left many people wondering “What is Twitch?” and why would Amazon shell out so much dough for a service that was relatively unknown to the general public? However, an in-depth examination of the numbers would show that […]
The Game Ideas That Get Players Hooked: How to Brainstorm Killer Game Concepts
Time to start your first game! Let’s go! You need good ideas for a video game. What? Don’t you know where to start? Hmm… 10 Ways to Find New Game Ideas Trying to design your first game can be very daunting. There’s no doubt about that. But, it’s also one of the best ways to […]
East vs. West Game Design Styles: Visual, RPG Stories & Protagonists, Linearity vs. Choice
Developers all over the world are working hard at this very moment to deliver their own unique, exciting experiences. Just like movies, television shows, and any other form of entertainment, creative content often reflects the people who made it. That is why when it comes to Japan (east) and the West, the games they make […]
Keep the Playing Field Fair: Women and Their Impact on the Video Game Industry
In 2014, the International Game Developer’s Association released a report detailing the prevalence of women in the gaming industry. While the presence of female developers has doubled since 2009, there was still a significant male dominance in the field. A History of Male Dominance in Gaming For a long time, games have traditionally been developed […]
Youtube Game Design Tutorials For Beginner Game Designers
There’s no doubt that if you’ve been anywhere near the internet in the past 11 years you’ve gotten a healthy taste of YouTube. It’s more likely you’ve invested hours of your life, over the past decade, watching videos. Whether it’s a heroically viral video of a pig saving a goat or a lesser-known video of […]
Video Game Designer vs Game Developer: Why It’s Important to Know the Difference
There are many different jobs and roles to fill during the production of real-world video games. Perhaps the most popular job titles you hear thrown around are a game developer and game designer. While the two jobs may sound similar, in reality, they are uniquely different roles filled by different types of thinkers. This means […]
8 Awesome Game Design & Developer Videos
Gaming’s popularity is ever on the rise, with no sign of it stopping any time soon. When an industry is generating billions of dollars annually, it always follows that people will try and capitalize on the market. In a world where technology is at everyone’s fingertips, and the paths to exposure are more accessible than […]
Game Development Reddit Threads For Aspiring Game Designers and Pro Designers Alike
While most people use Reddit to kill time by joining discussions and reading news threads, the popular social media site has also become a treasure trove of valuable resources for aspiring game designers. The following are only a few of the many threads on Reddit that we recommend every game developer to check out, whether […]
Awesome Games Made by Just One Designer
Most would agree that making a game at all is a great accomplishment, whether if it’s done with a handful of people or a company of hundreds. Of course, few have what it takes to design and craft a game all on their own. To do so would require a variety of skills, lots of […]
The Essential Tools for Video Game Designers
One of the great things about being a game developer today is the amazing treasure trove of resources available on the internet. Whether you’re in a game studio or independent, anyone who designs and develops games can find something online to help them. The best part is that many of them are completely free. While […]
Learn The Best Practices In Game Design From The Pros In These Helpful Interviews
Gaming’s popularity is ever on the rise, with no sign of it stopping anytime soon. When an industry is generating billions of dollars annually, it always follows that people will try and capitalize on the market. In a world where technology is at everyone’s fingertips, and the paths to exposure are more accessible than ever, […]
How eSports Have Changed Gaming: Designing Games That Players Find Fun and Engaging
It usually doesn’t take a lot of channel surfing to find some kind of competitive sport. Depending on the time of the year, you’re bound to run into a game of basketball, tennis, football, and more. From yearly events like the Superbowl and World Series to the long-awaited Olympic Games and World Cup, there’s no […]
Can You Juggle Career and Game Designing As A Hobby? Is It Worth It?
Many people who game design start out as hobbyists, then turn it into a full-time career. But what if you already have a career? This guide looks at the possibility of success at being a game designer in conjunction with an existing career. It’s Going to Take Time One of the biggest problems with game […]
