Game Development Community

How much money is in level design?

by Okashira · in General Discussion · 07/20/2006 (12:34 pm) · 2 replies

I have always loved designing levels for Quake/Quake II and now for Torque, so I was wondering : How much money is in level design? I mean even the greats like American McGee have moved on to Game Design, so it makes me wonder if it isn't even capable of providing a solid income, especially nowadays when a game modeller can just use their own modelling package and convert it without even touching a level design package.

So?

Thanks,
Okashira
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Torque Owner Danny Ngan
#1
07/20/2006 (4:09 pm)
There are plenty of game design/level design positions in the industry that provide solid incomes. What that specific dollar amount is depends entirely on the company, what the project is, and the city where that company is located. You can probably do a search over at Gamasutra to see what kinds of positions are available and how much you could possible make. I know that the level designers at the company where I work make everything from a pittance for entry level kids to a fairly solid income for the more experienced veterans.

Also, just because someone can build a level doesn't mean it will flow and play nicely. Which software you use is irrelevant, because that is usually dictated by the engine you work with. At the company where I work, we use Maya for everything. Level designers, environment artists, effects artists, character modelers, animators -- we all work in Maya. We also have in-house tools for level-related tasks (camera placement, portals, markers, etc). It all depends on what technologies you are working with.

Torque Owner J Sears
#2
11/07/2006 (7:25 am)
Or do something different. Make a couple amazing levels as add ons for big games, ones that become mainstream played daily. Then set up a company that does contract level design and mention your success, maybe that will make you some money.