It's likely that many people don't even know that it's possible to pursue a degree in Game Design or build a career in the field. The surprise might be even greater when they discover the various roles a professional in this area can have. Did you know that this is the highest-grossing industry in the world today, surpassing the multi-million-dollar film industry?

At first glance, this might seem like a career for computer or video game fanatics, but believe it or not, advanced computer knowledge isn't even necessary to pursue a degree in Game Design. Yes, today there are university courses for those who wish to follow this lesser-known career path. The surprise might grow even more when you discover the variety of roles a professional in this field can take on.

Game designer Antonio Teoli, a graduate from the first class of the Game Design course at Universidade Anhembi Morumbi and currently working in the field, says that you don't need to be a computer expert to attend the course. "The classes will provide all the necessary foundation," he says. Antonio Teoli recently visited Cosin to talk with Technical Course students about the profession.

While basic computer skills may suffice, one skill is essential, according to Antonio: creativity. "But I think, in the end, this is crucial in many careers today," he notes. Another vital skill for those interested in the course is proficiency in English. "Almost all the books during the course are in English," he shares.

According to Antonio, the course covers everything involved in the production of a game, such as music, character and environment design, 3D modeling, programming, lighting, camera positioning, ergonomics (which they refer to as comfortability), photography, gameplay, scriptwriting, marketing, and even psychology studies with users and artificial intelligence classes that teach how to program the behavior of game characters. At Anhembi Morumbi, students take classes in the music studio, where they learn to create many sound effects, in artistic ateliers, in computer labs, and in the university's game library.

The job market for a game designer is surprisingly broader than it might initially seem.

"In addition to computer games, there's a market for developing games for TV, mobile phones, airplanes, and even two important areas that few people know about: pedagogy and psychology. Many games are being created today for educational purposes. There are also applications in physiotherapy, with the development of simulators, and even for military training, as is already happening in the United States," says Antonio.

Market numbers seem to confirm Antonio's claims. Today, the gaming segment is the highest-grossing industry in the world, surpassing the classic and lucrative film industry. In Brazil, the Ministry of Culture has been allocating funds to the electronic gaming sector and sponsoring companies and competitions. "This is an excellent time for professionals in the field," Antonio reaffirms.