"Does the person responsible for the idea of a game get to become the designer/producer of that game, or if not what do they end up doing?"

Submitted by: O'Jay Robinson

Answered by: Gary Brown (designer/producer, Sierra On-Line)

"O'Jay,

"What I have been finding lately is that most game ideas which are given an opportunity to become real products have a team of people to create the idea. Coming up with an idea is easy -- finding a group of programmers, artists, musicians, and designers to turn that idea into a fun game is a whole different story. The Un-Named Game had five initial individuals who all believed and evolved an idea, then worked together to provide a working model (or prototype). A programmer, an artist, producer, musician, and writer all brainstormed a story idea, and each individual then worked to create the resources needed to make the prototype (on our own time). No one person was responsible for creating the vision -- each and every one needed to understand and agree with the ideas, and create art, code, music, and business proposals to convince Management that this idea could make money.

"In our case, all the individuals responsible for creating the idea are indeed working in high profile positions on the Un-Named Game team. Not everyone is a designer, but not everyone wanted to be, either. For example, Joe, the engineer who worked with us at the prototype phase, is now the main terrain engineer on the project. Joe desperately wanted to create a cutting-edge terrain engine, and he now has the opportunity, since the game's concept and prototype went over very well in Sierra Management's view. Joe was not interested in becoming a producer or designer, but he certainly has a good deal of creative input in the direction of the product, and helps to work out technical and design problems as a result. His ideas are quite valuable, and his work has helped him establish a career position that he wanted.

"Believe me, there is no better feeling to have ideas become reality on the computer screen. The real trick to designing is making sure your ideas can be achieved. This often means that you must make compromises when something is technically not possible. Being flexible with the ideas, and having a group who can turn those ideas into reality, is where the real magic begins."

Read more questions and answers!