I want to become a game designer.

[Nosyarg]

First off I'm new here. So hello everyone!


It's something I've always wanted to do! I have some really intresting ideas of my own. I'm only 15 so I'm not old enough to get a job yet, but I plan to study Japanese when I go to college.


Even though I'm American is it possible for me to get a job in Japan as a game designer?

 

[yukio_michael]

I would say that the Japanese and American/European games markets are quite different. It may be difficult to write essentialy Japanese games for the Japanese... the industry also may not be inclusive to non-Japanese for these reasons, and others dealing with cultural differences.

However, that said... you have a unique opportunity at your age to study the language and see if you enjoy that, (you wont get far as a game developer in Japan without a firm grasp of the language and its idoms and eccentricities), from there you can visit the country, maybe even attend language school there (something I would again definitely recomend for anyone interested in doing business in Japan, if that is possible or not---), and from there you may have other plans or desires or opportunities that arrise for you.

I would try to find if there are any American game developers in Japan, I don't think so, the markets are quite different, and the Japanese work environment is quite different. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't take advantage of the time you'll have to spend studying the language and culture.

 

[Nosyarg]

Thank you. I've been told I could always work for America, but Japan is bigger in the game industry and it seems to offer more creative freedom.


That's a really good idea to check and see if there's any English game designers or workers. Could you possibly give me a link to a website that shows such information?

 

[yukio_michael]

You might start, here... Also, do a google search for other industry/developer sites where you might be able to get more insight into the Japanese market, or get a chance to talk to people with similar goals.

As for creative freedom, making a game where you actually get a job, (Shinmue), may appeal in Japan, but it didn't elsewhere...

Good luck.

 

[Nosyarg]

Thank you.

 

[gaijinalways]

Actually most of the better games in North America and Europe are later exported to Japan. Usually there are adjustments made to the stories of the RPGs, as Japanese tend to like games with a tighter linear story. Of course, the graphics are usually pretty good, but story line...well if cute is your thing. I do know one British guy that used to work for Sega here, so it is possible. Good luck with your dream (Ganbatte)!

 

[GaijinPunch]

Game Designers USUALLY work their way from code monkies. Of course times are changing, and will no doubt change in the next 7 years or so. Remember though, working in the games industry and retaining games as a hobby is very difficult.

 

[Nosyarg]

I already know. I'm prepared to take any job in the game business and try to work my way up into becoming a game designer. I'm not going to just jump into it and get my hopes up too high so I get dissapointed for not getting the job. I already know it'll take time but I still want to do it.

 

[budd]

there are several game designer schools in japan
be a great way to get/make some "koney"
koney gets me a lot more than any other method (in japan that is)
there are some threads/info about this in these forums also? check the videogames and manga forums specifically
glhth

 

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

The employment information site of the game industry of Japan
ゲーム業界就職サイト

 

[Nosyarg]

Sorry, but I can't read Japanese yet. Is there away I can translate it?

 

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

A Web translation page
http://infoseek.amikai.com/amiweb/b...訳&display=2&lang=JA&toolbar=yes&c_id=infoseek

A Japanese translation site
http://www.infoseek.co.jp/Honyaku?pg=honyaku_top.html

 

[budd]

"Sorry, but I can't read Japanese yet."

well, bookmark it for later then? whining will get an american nowhere in japan? maybe a stony countenance and thats it

aaaaaahhh!!! i have to spread some more reputation around again?! that link is so fat!!!

 

[Nosyarg]

Thanks for the link Hiroyuki!