Technical Designer

Salaries

Description

A Technical Designer understands both the intricate workings of game engines and the nuances of gameplay systems. Their role is to translate design ideas into functional prototypes, ensuring mechanics are not only fun but also technically achievable within the engine's limitations.

They collaborate closely with both designers and programmers, acting as interpreters and problem solvers. They break down complex systems into manageable tasks, identify potential technical hurdles, and propose elegant solutions that maintain the vision's integrity while adhering to technical constraints, shaping the foundation of engaging gameplay without compromising technical stability, and ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for players.

Responsibilities

Translate game mechanics and systems into code, blueprints, or scripting languages, ensuring technical feasibility and efficiency.
Analyze and optimize game systems for smoother performance, reducing resource usage and preventing technical bottlenecks.
Collaborate with programmers to identify and fix bugs, glitches, and technical issues.
Build quick and playable prototypes to test mechanics, refine systems, and validate feasibility before full implementation.
Develop complex in-game logic and behaviors using scripting languages or visual scripting tools.
Design and implement AI behaviors that are engaging, challenging, and responsive to player actions.
Develop reusable code or system components to streamline future development and improve maintainability.

Resources

Books

Tools to learn

<aside> ☕ Remember you don’t need to learn all, these are only some of the more common tools for this role

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Game Engines
C#
C++
Python
Git
Perforce
Maya
Blender
Houdini
ZBrush
Substance 3D Painter
Substance 3D Designer
Photoshop
Illustrator
Jira
Confluence
Excel
Subversion (SVN)
Xcode