Experts have divided the history of video game designing into generations and 'ages'. The most significant design for a video game was made back in 1972. It was a design for an arcade game called Computer space and was based on previous designs. The period from 1972 to 1977 saw a large number of original and innovative designs and is referred to as the First Generation. 1976 brought about the discovery of the microchip. In 1977, a video game was designed based on the microchip technology and proved to be a success. The following four years are referred to as the Golden Age as it brought about ingenious inventions and advancement of video game design. A video game designing company called Atari established itself in the market. Later, in the period between 1981 and 1984 Atari provided new inventions and designs to the world and was referred to as the Dark Age. From 1985, other video game design and development companies like Nintendo and Sega sprang up. They used 8-bit microchips and created game boys, which were portable and trendy. In 1989, 16-bit microchips came into existence and revolutionized the quality of video games.
The 32-bit / 64-bit era was the fifth generation of video game consoles. The 32-bit microchips were introduced in 1995 followed by the invention of the 64-bit chips, which are commonly used in video game designs these days. With time, online education revolving around the demand of developing video games has become truly modern, and uses a lot more interfaces.
Students normally apply to online schools to acquire a Bachelor of Arts in Game Development degree.
Careers in Game Design: Some research teams in America have conducted a research on the profile of gamers in the country and statistics show that gamers have an average age of 29 years and 39% of the gamers are women. Another career option is to join the industry as a graphic designer. The game design industry has a total monetary output in billions each year. You too can be part of this creative brigade when armed with a much needed online graphics design degree.
3D Game Design: 3D game designers require appropriate practical training and the right skills. Fully integrated 3D designs can be made using different software. Different software such as 3D Game Studio, Visual Studio and 3D Adventure studio are used to created high quality 3D games. The software combines a 2D and 3D engine to provide an all round 3D touch to the game. This software also offers applications such as model editors and script compilers and smaller 3D objects. Professional 3D games consist of complex and detailed virtual 3D landscapes, lightning and shadow effects, animation of models and skins and use of interactive 3D multimedia. 3D motion capture is required in first and third person shooters, flight simulation and role-playing games.
The reason game designers do well is because reputed professionals keep creating new game ideas. However, unless you're a prodigy, most need to start with some basic level formal graphic designing education in order to get started. For those who aren't able to enroll at regular college, distance education graphic and game design courses can be the most suitable choice.