Directing Video Games

What does a video game director actually do? What guiding principles do they follow while leading a team of game creators? Longtime Ratchet & Clank director, Brian Allgeier, boils down his decades of experience into 101 fully illustrated tips.

Directing Video Games: 101 Tips for Creative Leaders covers common practices used by game directors from using comedy improv techniques for brainstorming ideas to key methods for story and game development..

Tips cover the 5 essential qualities of a creative director:

1. Hold the Vision

2. Provide Structure

3. Keep a Creative Toolbox

4. Lead Effectively

5. Know Production

For those who are curious about what it takes to be a video game director or want learn more about the art of creative collaboration, this book covers the basic principles for leading and inspiring a team to make great games.

Brian Allgeier shares insights from his lengthy and successful career as a game director; offering tips ranging from brainstorming techniques to methods for structuring story and design. Boldly illustrated and packed with sage advice, this book will benefit both aspiring and experienced creative leaders on the exciting journey of directing games.
Brian Allgeier is the longtime director of the Ratchet & Clank series and has developed video games for over 25 years. He led the design and creative direction on a wide range of games from the light-hearted Ratchet & Clank series to the virtual reality horror adventure Edge of Nowhere, for the Oculus Rift. He enjoys drawing, sculpting models in VR, and coming up with crazy Halloween costumes every year. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and dog.

"This book is one of a kind, and is essential reading for anyone who wants to lead the creation of a video game. It's full of great visuals and excellent advice, and belongs on every game director's bookshelf."
--Richard Lemarchand, Associate Professor in the Interactive Media Division, USC

"Brian has managed an incredible thing--to present a broadly complex, multi-faceted role in bite-sized, easy to digest nuggets of sage advice."
--Marcus Smith, Creative Director of Resistance 3 and Sunset Overdrive

"Directing Video Games is a literal loot drop of knowledge, decades of experience concisely and expertly crafted into 101 densely packed tips. Even a page -- with no exaggeration -- can be transformative to a project's success."
--Brenda Romero, Award winning game designer

"Born of expansive experience, this is a comprehensive book that both beginners and seasoned developers should keep at their side."
--Michael John, Program Director of Games and Playable Media, UCSC