The Pre-Loved edit from Shopbop
To share your reaction on this item, open the Amazon app from the App Store or Google Play on your phone.

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Start a Career in Game Design (The Lazy Designer Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 23 ratings

Practical advice on starting a career in the video game industry and improving your design skills. This is your opportunity to learn from the lead designer of such commercial and critically successful video games as Neverwinter Nights and Dragon Age: Origins. Discover how the author started his career, the pitfalls he encountered and how he overcame them. Written by an industry veteran with over ten years experience working for a major games studio.
The Lazy Designer is geared primarily towards those looking to start a career in the games industry. It discusses how to obtain a design position, such as a writer, level designer, or game system designer. Though written specifically for the game designer most of the advice will be of interest to any newcomer to the industry.
Along the way the author explores his own experiences with game development and the difficulties he encountered adjusting to life at his dream job. With practical and blunt advice, the Lazy Designer will give you the skills necessary for becoming a valued, and maybe even essential, member of any development team.

Shop this series

See full series
See included books
Shop this series
There are 5 books in this series.
Bundle price: Kindle price
Bundle price: Kindle price
By placing your order, you're purchasing a license to the content and you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.

This option includes 3 books.

This option includes 5 books.

Something went wrong.
Bundle price: Kindle price
Bundle price: Kindle price
By placing your order, you're purchasing a license to the content and you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Want to learn how to be a successful designer in the videogame industry? This book will provide pointers and anecdotes from the author's own experiences.

About the Author

Brent Knowles is a writer, programmer, and game designer.

He worked at the role-playing game studio BioWare for ten years (Baldur's Gate 2, Neverwinter Nights, Dragon Age), during most of which he was a Lead Designer/Creative Director.

Now he writes full time.

He has been published in a variety of magazines including Neo-Opsis, On Spec, and Tales of the Talisman.

In 2009 Brent placed first in the third quarter of the Writer's of the Future Contest with his story 'Digital Rights'.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B005KCM7DQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ YourOtherMind Media; 1.2 edition (December 13, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 13, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 497 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 92 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 23 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Brent Knowles
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Current Project - Raiders of the Serpent Sea 5e Norse-myth inspired campaign https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/arcanumworldscanada/raidersoftheserpentsea

Hi. I'm a game designer -- the bulk of my career was at BioWare (Baldur's Gate 2, Neverwinter Nights, Dragon Age). In recent years I have returned to game design, working at N-Space and then Beamdog. I am open to fielding questions from readers... writers ... game developers... so feel free to contact me.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
23 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers

Customers say

Customers find the book informative and helpful, providing valuable advice and tips for game design. They describe it as a straightforward introduction to the roles and responsibilities of a designer, written in an engaging way.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
6 customers mention "Information quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and useful. It provides valuable advice and tips from a knowledgeable insider. Readers appreciate the concise and straightforward introduction to the roles and responsibilities of a game designer.

"...Unlike other books I've read on the subject, Brent is a true insider with valuable experience...." Read more

"...and how they fit together. An informative and though provoking read; this is the first in a series of books, which cover various aspects..." Read more

"...Brent did a great job by packing many valuable advices and tips in such a short book." Read more

"...Chalked full of info for the inspiring beginner. Bravo Brent!" Read more

6 customers mention "Readability"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They describe it as a simple, informative, and thought-provoking read written from an experienced project manager's perspective.

"...and how they fit together. An informative and though provoking read; this is the first in a series of books, which cover various aspects..." Read more

"...Spend the few bucks, its worth it. It is written in a catchy way, and it doesn't take so much time to read at all." Read more

"It's worth to read by anyone who's starting or preparing to be a project manager...." Read more

"This is a good book to serve as a starting point for anyone looking to get a job at a AAA studio or who's got that job and wants some tips for their..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2012
    Interested in learning about the field of Game Design & Game Writing, I stumbled upon this ebook and was not disappointed. Unlike other books I've read on the subject, Brent is a true insider with valuable experience. The book delivers no less than exactly what it promises. It was a short read for me, but the advice and insight into the industry was some of the best I've read thus far. This book, and its sequel, are well worth the modest price.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2011
    For those considering getting into the Games Development industry, I'd seriously recommend you get your hands on this book. I say this as a Recruitment Consultant who has been asked the question "how do I get a job making computer games?" too many times. Compiled and written by a designer from one of the most well known Game Developers in the industry. It is a refreshing read on how one goes about entering the industry.

    I found most importantly that it caused me (I'm one of those thinking about it too) to consider why I would want to get a `job in computer games'. Reflecting on his experiences when he was starting out (without getting too biographical), Brent is able to set the scene and give you an idea of the day-to-day activities of a Games Designer. The book also elaborates on other disciplines (writers, artists etc.) and how they fit together.

    An informative and though provoking read; this is the first in a series of books, which cover various aspects of Games Design and Development. It has already helped me focus on what I want and how to go for it.
    8 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2013
    Well, this book is not very big and does not give you any information about game design itself. But..... i do think this is a very good read.

    Not just for people who want to start a career in game design, but for everybody that is in his/her early phase of the working life.
    There are just some small (but very good) tips inside that you would normally get through working experience since you never really learn that at school/university. So those can give you a proper head start.

    Spend the few bucks, its worth it. It is written in a catchy way, and it doesn't take so much time to read at all.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2014
    It's worth to read by anyone who's starting or preparing to be a project manager.

    The book is writen from an experienced project manager's standpoint. It's not all about a game design, but any kind of projects in software development.
    Brent did a great job by packing many valuable advices and tips in such a short book.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2015
    This is a good book to serve as a starting point for anyone looking to get a job at a AAA studio or who's got that job and wants some tips for their first few steps.

    It's short and concise, and relies heavily on the author's own experience at a single studio which does make it somewhat anecdotal. As in, Your Mileage May Vary.

    All in all, it's less of a "how-to" and more of a "what to expect", which is still a great resource.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2013
    I highly recommend checking this book out if you are interested in game design. Chalked full of info for the inspiring beginner. Bravo Brent!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2012
    This book is short but that's because it contains no filler and wastes no time getting to the meat of the issue. If you've considered a career in game design but aren't sure how the industry works, how game companies are structured and what a designer will be expected to know before they are employable, then this is a quick low-cost intro.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2012
    Was a good and informative book.
    Gave good advice and the steps to take to get inot the gaming design business.
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Andrés
    3.0 out of 5 stars Aceptable
    Reviewed in Spain on March 1, 2014
    Se trata de un libro con algunos consejos sacados de la experiencia del autor. No son consejos concretos, si no más bien comentarios sacados del sentido común y de un intento por conseguir un trabajo utilizando un proceso medianamente estructurado.
    No se trata de una biblia a seguir si se está buscando trabajo en la industria del videojuego, si no de un recordatorio de que el sentido común puede ser de gran ayuda. Eso sí, el autor hace mención a algunas herramientas y prácticas concretas que sí pueden resultar útiles.

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?