William Carson
Game Designer
About Me
My Journey:
My journey into the fascinating world of game design began at a young age, fueled by an insatiable curiosity for storytelling and technology. From my early days, I found solace and inspiration in the fusion of narrative arcs and interactive gameplay, which laid the foundation for my career’s direction. I’ve honed my skills in diverse aspects of game design. From the initial stages of conceptualization to the final stages of execution, I’ve crafted experiences that highlight the beauty of game design. My creations aim to linger in the minds and hearts of players, leaving them yearning for more.
What Drives Me:
To me, game design transcends the boundaries of lines of code and stunning visuals. It’s about evoking emotions, sparking imagination, and fostering connections. I firmly believe that video games have the power to transcend traditional forms of entertainment. They serve as vessels for profound, unimaginable experiences, social commentary, and personal growth. Each project I undertake is infused with this belief. My goal is to transport players into enchanting realms where they become the protagonists of their own adventures, experiencing firsthand the magic of the worlds I create.
My Approach:
My approach to game design revolves around a delicate balance of innovation and player-centric design. I thrive on pushing boundaries, exploring unconventional mechanics, and weaving intricate narratives that captivate diverse audiences. At the core of my creations lies a deep understanding of player psychology and engagement. I ensure that every aspect of the game resonates with and captivates its intended audience, providing them with a gaming experience that is both enjoyable and memorable.
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Education
Game Design Bachelor of Science
Full Sail University
August 2022 - December 2024
Game Design Bachelor of Science covers various aspects of game development, such as design, programming, scripting, level design, mechanics, analytics, and production
Creative Presentation: Focuses on developing presentation skills, including storytelling and audience engagement, through creating and delivering original presentations.
Psychology of Play: Explores the concept of play from a psychological perspective, highlighting its role in cognitive development, critical thinking, and collaboration.
Technology in the Entertainment and Media Industries: Examines the impact of technology on entertainment, teaching students about interactive media, programming, and industry trends.
Design Tools: Provides foundational skills in game design tools, including documentation, brainstorming, and presentation techniques essential for game designers.
Discrete Mathematics: Introduces mathematical reasoning, logic, and data structures to help students understand mathematical applications in game design.
Introduction to Game Design: Covers core game design principles like player goals, choices, and rules, and includes creating analog game prototypes.
Physical Science: Teaches scientific principles such as mechanics, waves, and electromagnetism, with an emphasis on real-world applications.
Introduction to Programming: Introduces basic programming concepts, including data usage, control flow, and problem-solving across various languages.
Project and Portfolio I: Game Design: Provides hands-on experience with programming fundamentals by building a basic software program and refining it in a game engine.
English Composition I: Develops academic writing skills, focusing on idea development, thesis formation, and audience-centered communication.
Scripting for Designers I: Builds on programming basics, focusing on algorithms, object-oriented concepts, and debugging essential for game design projects.
Systems Design: Teaches game designers to analyze and manipulate game data to create and balance gameplay systems.
Professional Development Seminar I: Game Design: Introduces students to the game design industry, exploring career paths, topics, and current industry issues.
Scripting for Designers II: Advances scripting skills with a focus on data structures, game engine components, and animation techniques.
Building Functional Groups: Covers collaborative skills critical for effective teamwork in game development, including communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.
Level Design I: Introduces level design fundamentals, such as pacing, visual cues, and creating clear goals for players.
Project and Portfolio II: Game Design: Applies knowledge from previous courses to design and implement a game level in a team environment.
Professional Development Seminar II: Game Design: Encourages career strategy development and personal branding within the game design field.
Game Mechanics I: Analyzes game mechanics and the aesthetic aspects of play to inform design decisions and understand gameplay dynamics.
Technical Writing: Teaches skills for creating clear, structured technical documents for specialized audiences.
Analytics and Decision-Making: Examines decision-making processes in collaborative environments, with a focus on data-driven analysis.
Data Visualization: Introduces statistical concepts and data visualization techniques, using Excel to organize and present findings.
Level Design II: Builds on level design principles with a focus on 3-D object placement and gameplay metrics to enhance player experience.
Project and Portfolio III: Game Design: Integrates previous learning to create an original interactive design with emphasis on level and systems design.
Scripting for Designers III: Expands programming skills with topics like software architecture and game AI, aimed at developing robust, testable code.
Game Mechanics II: Explores rule-based systems and feedback mechanisms to design balanced gameplay experiences.
Systems Progression: Focuses on designing and balancing game progression systems by modeling and measuring data changes over time.
Historical Archetypes and Mythology: Explores cultural archetypes, mythology, and symbolism to inform character creation and story development.
Project and Portfolio IV: Interactive Technology: Focuses on industry research and prototyping mechanics to align with professional standards.
Production and Planning: Introduces project management methods for managing the game development lifecycle from planning through execution.
Game Design Preproduction: Simulates a professional game development environment where students collaborate on a gameplay prototype.
Project and Portfolio V: Interactive Technology: Combines implementation and market research to refine interactive projects in team settings.
Game Systems Integration: Students work in teams to iterate on a partially completed game, practicing integration and development refinement.