Hi, I'm new to the xna forums and the xna website. I came here because I want to practice on my programming skills. I wish to be a Video Game Designer one day. I know that Video Game Designers do not need any programming knowlege to land into a video game design job. But a little knowlege of programming won't hurt. So, I know that the xna program uses c#. I won't use XNA until I finish learning and studying c++(I bought a book about it, and right now studying it). I know this might sound random, but do you guys have any tips on how to make games and what I should do while I am learning all these program languages? I am really passionate about games and have so many ideas for it, but I dont want to sit still until I get to college. I believe that if I start early, my career might come easier and might be more successful.

Hi there and welcome. My first tip would be that if you plan to make money out of games, you have to make sure you are designing what people want, rather then just what you think would be a good idea. we all have things we want to see in games but that doesnt necessarily mean it will be what the end user wants.

Secondly you have to find the balance between gameplay and graphics. So many games out there boast tremendous visual scenes, but lack in any real gameplay or plot depth. I think i speak for the general population of the gaming community when i say i would rather play a game that has a solid plot, and plenty of play options, but looks a little rugged, then spend hours walking around in a stunning environment with nothing to do.

ANd finally, and above all else, Originality. I dont mean invent a whole new genre, but try to find an original way of using a strong genre. SO many developers out there just throw out weak clones of succesful games hoping to make a fast buck, they forget artistic integrity. You might think that im contradicting my first tip by saying that. But what i mean is that you have to try to find new and unique ways to present your story, to the player, in a way that they will enjoy, and want to come back to, without copying from another developer. As a designer, you are the imagination behind the development, let yourself go mad with ideas, brainstorm like crazy, then sit back, sift through the ideas you have, decide which ones are best, maybe even run them by someone who isnt in design themselves and see what they think. and then compile them into a plot, sketches, story boards, try to give the actual coders as much information as you can before they start, so that you dont have to throw more in once they begin. I can tell you that its frustrating to try to change or add certain elements in when youve already begun as it can mean changing hundreds of lines of code.

Your design elements can be anything from designing what the Heads up display/ user interfacec will look like, all the way up to the world in which your story will take place

Welcome!

Tip #1:

SeattlianInc:

I won't use XNA until I finish learning and studying c++(I bought a book about it, and right now studying it)

I wouldn't recommend waiting. If you're only going to be using XNA, C++ won't help you much, and you will have to relearn a lot of stuff. C# is also worlds easier to use.

Tip #2:
Everyone wants to be the game designer. Everyone. From the guy at the top to the janitor, everyone is bursting with ideas that they want to see made. In short: you will have a LOT of competition. My best advice to you would be to learn how to program. If you aren't the programming type and can't get far with it, try art, or sound. The most important thing is that you need to bring something to the table other than ideas. Hone your game design skills and come up with a lot of ideas. Write them down, flush them out, and then sort them and use only the best. Get experience; join a team if you have to, and get a game finished. You're a lot more credible as a designer if you know what's involved with the other processes of getting a game made (especially programming!) and preferably have some finished products for your resume.

You can get to the top, but you'll have to start at the bottom, and you won't be able to go from 0 to Lead Game Designer in a second.

UberGeekGames:

Welcome!

Tip #1:

SeattlianInc:

I won't use XNA until I finish learning and studying c++(I bought a book about it, and right now studying it)

I wouldn't recommend waiting. If you're only going to be using XNA, C++ won't help you much, and you will have to relearn a lot of stuff. C# is also worlds easier to use.

Tip #2:
Everyone wants to be the game designer. Everyone. From the guy at the top to the janitor, everyone is bursting with ideas that they want to see made. In short: you will have a LOT of competition. My best advice to you would be to learn how to program. If you aren't the programming type and can't get far with it, try art, or sound. The most important thing is that you need to bring something to the table other than ideas. Hone your game design skills and come up with a lot of ideas. Write them down, flush them out, and then sort them and use only the best. Get experience; join a team if you have to, and get a game finished. You're a lot more credible as a designer if you know what's involved with the other processes of getting a game made (especially programming!) and preferably have some finished products for your resume.

You can get to the top, but you'll have to start at the bottom, and you won't be able to go from 0 to Lead Game Designer in a second.