Russell’s story continues…
Days later, the zeal to be a games designer was overwhelming I pondered and started searching for the hows, criteria needed and schools that I can enrol in and that was when I called Derion to link me with the female Games Designer he encountered and you will be surprised at who she is…
The female games designer is Anino.
Derion messaged Anino and told him about me, Russell. Anino was delighted as we fixed an online meeting.
In the online meeting, Anino talked about gaming as a course of study at the university and If it is worth it.
As a Craft Designer, I was thinking of ways to diversify my crafts… Anino said as we, Derion and I, listened carefully.
I had always thought gaming was just for entertainment until I went to the University to study the course “Game Design”. I felt I was just going to learn how to design games, but then I discovered that “thought of mine” was just a myopic view of what games entirely enclosed.
I learned game theory, flow theory, dynamic difficulty adjustment(DDA), laws of Effect, laws of simplicty, colour theory, programming, and implementation of critical thinking amongst others, then I discovered that there are different types of games as well as genres. I also learned that if I allow myself to explore, I can use games as products(which are serious games and games) or /and games as services (which is termed gamification). Therefore, I based my thesis on “How games can adapt to various industries to create products and services” where I had to review seven industries- Manufacturing, Education, Security, Leisure/Entertainment, Creative, Health/Environment, and Marketing/Advertising.
I didn’t review the hospitality and transportation industry.
I tried implementing game mechanics in crafts to solve some problems, and I excelled in them. I did a game titled “Refinery of Colours”. A colour mixing game where the player fulfils requests by mixing colours to create other colours while educating the player about colour theory and telling stories about colour theory or how colours are used in different industries.
Did you get what you went there for? Russell asked with a mixed expression on his face as if expecting a not too good reply.
Haaaa….haha. I did! That is why after the course, I am working on a game and writing a book to implement it in crafts.
A whole new world has opened to me, and that is why I picked my pen which I had dropped before to start writing this new book “Interweaving Games in Various Crafts”. To give you a teaser, I am designing a new game titled “Crafters Dictionary” which we will be testing soon as we finalize the prototype, and another game is in progress titled “Crafters Empire” which will be a game based on this book. I will do video demonstrations where necessary.
If you ask me, is going to the University to study Games Design worth it or I should just learn from YouTube?
I tell you without an iota of doubt that it is worth it for me. Before, I went to the university for the course- Games Design, I didn’t know how to code. I tried using Scratch and Python. In the course, I was taught the basics- as I say, “Baby Steps”. Although, my brain was spinning and foggy because I was trying to understand the terminologies and processes, “I couldnot lock in”. As soon as I understood it(was able to “clock it”, Oh! you can imagine my excitement as I “lock in”. I wanted to explore, and I had the freedom to do that but following a concept and theme.
I still learn ’til date from YouTube and other Game course platforms like Game Dev TV, Udemy, Mammmoth Interactive, Domestika, Zenva, and many more.
I can debug most errors in my game.
Time went by as we chatted and…
To be continued…
You can read previous parts here:
Part 1: Reminisce of a Crafter: Season 2 Episode 1- The Craft Designer – #WoesOfASerialDesigner- Dream Fulfilled https://aninoogunjobi.com/2020/05/reminisce-of-a-crafter-the-craft-designer-woesofaserialdesigner-dream-fulfilled/
Part 2: Reminisce of a Crafter: Season 2 Episode 3- The Craft Designer -Dream Fulfilled – Part 2 #TimeOut https://aninoogunjobi.com/2020/05/reminisce-of-a-crafter-the-craft-designer-dream-fulfilled-part-2-timeout/
Part 3: Reminisce of a Crafter: Season 2, Episode 6: The Craft Designer -Dream Fulfilled – Part 3 #IdeasFlipping https://aninoogunjobi.com/2022/09/reminisce-of-a-crafter-season-2-episode-6-the-craft-designer-dream-fulfilled-part-3-ideasflipping/
You’re so awesome! I don’t believe I have read a single thing like that before. So great to find someone with some original thoughts on this topic. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This website is something that is needed on the internet, someone with a little originality!