The document discusses careers in video game design, focusing on the role of content designer. It provides information on the skills needed to become a game designer, including being an avid gamer. The main roles in game design are described as lead designer, level designer, and content designer. Content designers are responsible for creating characters, storylines, environments and more. The document asks readers to design a new lead character for a reboot of the original Legend of Zelda game using 8-bit animation style within the constraints provided.

1. Amy Bultena
Stanislaus County Office of Education
azschaber@stancoe.org
Gaming. . . As a Career?

2. Do you play any type of digital game?
•Did you know that you
are developing career
skills by playing digital
games?
•The #1 requirement to
become a game
designer is to be a
gamer.

3. Game Designers. . .
• Play games
• Must be able to work as a team
• Can Be
• Artists
• Designers
• Programmers
• Have a bachelor’s degree
• Computer Science
• Software Engineering
• Graphic Arts / Design
• Multimedia Design
• Make on average $70,000.00 / a year

4. 3 main roles for a Game Designer
Lead Designer
-team leader / management
-usually good at computer
programming, storytelling, and
art
Level Designer
-Creates level by level play
-usually good at computer
programming and art
Content Designer
-creates story, backgrounds, & characters
-usually good at storytelling and art

5. A Day in the Life: Video Game Designer
• https://goo.gl/v7uQKk

6. Digital Gaming Then & Now
1986 2017

7. What is 8-bit animation?
• 8-bit refers to color
• Each pixel is represented by one
8-bit byte
• The maximum number of colors
that can be displayed is 256
• Less colors = less detail
• Images are often blocky or
pixelated
• It was one of the first methods
used to put color on computers
and in video games
• 8-bit animation uses 8-bit colors
and makes the images move

8. The original Legend of Zelda uses 8-bit animation
https://goo.gl/VWPFb8

9. The original Legend of Zelda uses 8-bit animation

10. Today, you are a Content Designer
• Legend of Zelda is doing a reboot to
the original, 8-bit design
• New levels
• New villains
• New lead characters
• Goal is still to rescue Zelda
• Design a new lead character (in 8-bit
style) for Legend of Zelda
• Things to consider
• Size?
• Appearance?
• Weapons?
• Vulnerabilities?
• Health?

11. Today, you are a Content
Designer
• Design a new lead character for Legend of Zelda
• Must be in 8-bit style
• You CANNOT copy an existing image from the
internet etc.
• You CAN look at other images for ideas.
• Coloring will help!

13. Animate a new lead character for an 8-bit
animation reboot of Legend of Zelda
It can be simple or complex.

15. Let’s watch a demonstration!
• https://goo.gl/sZmQWG