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Roles in the games industry are quickly evolving like the industry itself so keep this in mind that this list might not be extensive.
The animation department in video games is responsible for creating and implementing the various animations that bring the game's characters, objects, and environments to life.
▫️Responsibilities
<aside> 👤 CHARACTER ANIMATION This involves creating realistic and fluid movements for characters, including walking, running, jumping, and fighting animations. Animators also create facial expressions and body language to help convey emotions and personality.
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<aside> 👤 CUTSCENE ANIMATION Animators are often responsible for creating cutscenes, which are cinematic sequences that advance the game's story. Cutscenes require more elaborate animation and often include voice-over and music.
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<aside> 👤 OBJECT ANIMATION Animators are also responsible for creating and animating objects within the game, such as weapons, vehicles, and environmental elements such as trees and rocks.
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<aside> 👤 UI ANIMATION Animators may also create animations for the game's user interface, including menus, loading screens, and button prompts.
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▫️Specialisations
<aside> 📍 LEAD ANIMATOR This is the person in charge of overseeing the entire animation department. The lead animator is responsible for managing the team, assigning tasks, and ensuring that all animations are completed on time and meet the quality standards set by the game development studio.
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<aside> 📍 CHARACTER ANIMATOR This is the person responsible for creating the animations for the game's characters, including movement, facial expressions, and other subtle gestures that convey emotions and personality.
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<aside> 📍 GAMEPLAY ANIMATION This role involves animating the game's environment, including objects, buildings, and other elements that make up the game world.
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<aside> 📍 CUTSCENE ANIMATION This role involves creating cinematic sequences that advance the game's story. Cutscene animators work closely with the game's writers and directors to create compelling visual stories that engage players.
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<aside> 📍 TECHNICAL ANIMATOR This role involves creating and implementing animation tools and processes that help streamline the animation workflow. Technical animators work closely with the programming department to ensure that animations run smoothly within the game engine.
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<aside> 📍 MOTION CAPTURE SPECIALIST This role involves capturing real-life movements and translating them into animations for the game's characters. Motion capture specialists work closely with the character animators to ensure that the animations accurately reflect the captured movements.
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Overall, the animation department plays a critical role in making the game feel immersive and engaging for players by bringing the game's characters, environments, and objects to life through animation.
The art department in video games is responsible for creating the visual elements that make up the game world. Ranging from the early pre production stage when the project is still being developed in an early idea stage to the last stage right before shipping when polish needs to be done.
▫️Responsibilities
<aside> 👤 CONCEPT ART This involves creating early designs and visual concepts for the game's characters, environments, and objects. Concept artists work closely with the game's designers to establish the visual style and direction of the game.
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<aside> 👤 3D MODELING 3D modelers use specialized software to create three-dimensional models of the game's characters, objects, and environments. These models are used to create the game's graphics and animations.
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<aside> 👤 TEXTURE AND MATERIAL CREATION Texture artists create the surface textures and materials for the 3D models, such as skin, metal, and cloth. They use specialized software to paint these textures onto the 3D models, creating a realistic and detailed look.
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<aside> 👤 LIGHTING ARTISTS Lighting artists create the lighting and shadow effects within the game world. They use specialized software to simulate realistic lighting conditions, such as sunlight, moonlight, and artificial light.
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<aside> 👤 UI ARTISTS UI designers create the visual elements of the game's user interface, such as menus, buttons, and HUD elements. They use graphic design software to create appealing and intuitive interfaces that enhance the player's experience.
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▫️Specialisations
<aside> 📍 ART DIRECTOR This is the person in charge of the entire art department. The art director is responsible for setting the visual style and direction of the game and ensuring that all visual elements are consistent with the game's overall vision.
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<aside> 📍 ENVIRONMENT ARTIST This role involves creating three-dimensional models of the game's characters, objects, and environments. 3D modelers use specialized software to create detailed and realistic models that will be used in the game.
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<aside> 📍 LIGHTING ARTIST This role involves creating the lighting and shadow effects within the game world. Lighting artists use specialized software to simulate realistic lighting conditions, such as sunlight, moonlight, and artificial light.
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<aside> 📍 UI ARTIST This role involves creating the visual elements of the game's user interface, such as menus, buttons, and HUD elements. UI designers use graphic design software to create appealing and intuitive interfaces that enhance the player's experience.
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<aside> 📍 MATERIAL ARTIST This role involves creating the surface textures and materials for the 3D models, such as skin, metal, and cloth. Texture artists use specialized software to paint these textures onto the 3D models, creating a realistic and detailed look.
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<aside> 📍 CONCEPT ARTIST This role involves creating early designs and visual concepts for the game's characters, environments, and objects. Concept artists use sketching and digital painting tools to develop the game's visual style and direction.
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<aside> 📍 Might include others…
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The art department plays a critical role in creating the visual elements that make up the game world. Their work is essential to creating a compelling and immersive experience for players.
The design department in video games is responsible for setting up the foundations for the overall design of the game, including its mechanics, levels, story, and characters.
▫️Responsibilities
<aside> 👤 GAME DESIGN This involves designing the game's core mechanics, such as player movement, combat, and puzzles. Game designers work closely with the development team to create a fun and engaging gameplay experience.
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<aside> 👤 LEVEL DESIGN Level designers are responsible for creating the game's levels and environments. They use level design software to create layouts, obstacles, and objectives that challenge the player and progress the game's story.
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<aside> 👤 NARRATIVE DESIGN This role involves creating the game's story and characters. Narrative designers work closely with the writing team to develop compelling characters, engaging storylines, and memorable dialogue.
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<aside> 👤 UX DESIGN UX designers create the overall experience of the game, including the menus, tutorials, and feedback systems. They use UX design software to create an intuitive and engaging user interface that enhances the player's experience.
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<aside> 👤 SOUND DESIGN Sound designers are responsible for creating the game's sound effects and music. They use specialized software to create custom sounds that enhance the player's immersion in the game world.
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▫️Specialisations
Game Design, Level Design, Narrative Designer, AI Designer, UX Designer, UI Designer, …
<aside> 📍 GAME DESIGNER This role involves designing the game's core mechanics, such as player movement, combat, and puzzles. Game designers work closely with the development team to create a fun and engaging gameplay experience.
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<aside> 📍 LEVEL DESIGNER This role involves creating the game's levels and environments. Level designers use level design software to create layouts, obstacles, and objectives that challenge the player and progress the game's story.
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<aside> 📍 NARRATIVE DESIGNER This role involves creating the game's story and characters. Narrative designers work closely with the writing team to develop compelling characters, engaging storylines, and memorable dialogue.
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<aside> 📍 TECHINCAL DESIGNER This role involves creating tools and systems that allow the development team to create and test the game more efficiently. Technical designers use programming and scripting languages to create custom tools that streamline the game development process.
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<aside> 📍 UX DESIGNER This role involves creating the overall experience of the game, including the menus, tutorials, and feedback systems. UX designers use UX design software to create an intuitive and engaging user interface that enhances the player's experience.
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<aside> 📍 UI DESIGNER Responsible for designing the graphical user interface of a video game or any other software application. Their main responsibility is to create an interface that is user-friendly, easy to navigate, and visually appealing.
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<aside> 📍 SOUND DESIGNER This role involves creating the game's sound effects and music. Sound designers use specialized software to create custom sounds that enhance the player's immersion in the game world.
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<aside> 📍 Might include others…
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