1. What Is a Game Designer?

The best of menThat e’er wore earth about him, was a sufferer,A soft, meek, patient, humble, tranquil spirit,The first true gentleman that ever breathed.

—THOMAS DEKKER

Asking the question of what a game designer is seems pedantic, especially to someone who has chosen to read a book about game design. Yet so many people have misconceptions of game designers’ role, abilities, and responsibilities, that it’s necessary to address this topic right away.

Responsibilities of a Game Designer

Game designers have a myriad of responsibilities that often differ depending on the type of game and development environment. Making a print-and-play card game for free release on the Internet demands different skill sets than designing ...

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