You could look at Gaming either as a welcome distraction to reality or something that inspires you to follow your childhood dreams !
Madhvendra Rajput, our next pathbreaker, Senior Game Designer at Oao Info India, collaborates with a team of developers, artists, and writers to create engaging and immersive games for various platforms.
Madhvendra talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about how his love for games evolved from just playing, to becoming a full time career which also involves teaching game design to aspiring game designers at A.C.A.D (Indore).
For students, you are a collection of unique human experiences, seen through a lens that no one else has. That is your superpower. Wield it responsibly, trust yourself and enjoy life your way!
Madhvendra, can you share your background with our young readers?
I grew up in a small town called Hoshangabad, a place barely big enough to be called a city. Opportunities were scarce, and dreaming big seemed out of reach, especially with my father being a strict karate teacher. He lived his entire life with discipline and control, and was determined to instill those qualities in me, all while shielding me from the harsh realities of our poverty-stricken neighbourhood.
With limited options for entertainment, my world changed the day I received my first NES video game system. Suddenly, I could be anything, go anywhere, all from the confines of my bedroom. Gaming quickly became my daily escape from the challenges I faced at both school and home. This ability that games had to make me forget all my troubles is what inspired me to pursue a career in this industry. I’ve dedicated myself to creating experiences that help others escape their worries, even if just for a moment, as a way to repay that debt.
That early fascination with video games sparked a lifelong passion, one that still drives me today.
What did you do for graduation/post graduation?
By the time I was old enough to choose a college, I had a bubbling interest in technology and coding. However, traditional engineering didn’t excite me as much as games did. So, I opted for a three-year degree program at Seamedu School of Pro-Expressionism Pune for a BCA in Game and Mobile Software Development. This is where I got to know the behind-the-scenes of making a game, and it’s also where I was lucky enough to find my lifelong friends, who are still standing by me!
Interestingly, during this time, I discovered my passion for game design over programming. I began teaching myself game design and even found myself sneaking into design lectures from other courses during lunch breaks to learn more.
What were some of the key influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional and cool career in Game Design?
Since I had to teach myself game design through trial and error, I didn’t have any formal mentors. However, I couldn’t have done anything without the arsenal of amazing games I played, which gave me a rich palette to draw from. And, of course, I can’t move on without mentioning the giants on whose shoulders any game designer stands today—just to name a few: Hideo Kojima, Will Wright, Sid Meier, Todd Howard, and others.
Whenever I think about specific events or core memories associated with gaming, I’m reminded of the days I’d save every extra coin from chores just so I could go and play “Urban Reign” and “WWE: Smackdown” at a gaming café. Those moments fueled my passion and determination to pursue this career.
Once I joined the industry, I was fortunate to meet people who showed trust and confidence in me, which, in turn, helped me believe in myself and my abilities even more. A quick shout out to Anshul Rustaggi, Nimisha Parashar, Kshitiz Vyas, Anay Kharade, Sumeet Devkai, and many more who played a pivotal role in my journey.
How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted? Or how did you make a transition to a new career? Tell us about your career path
I had to work a lot initially to lay down a foundation and catch up on all that I needed to know to work as a game designer. This included hours of research and constant learning. Luckily for me, I’ve always had a knack for creative thinking, so it was a fun journey rather than a frustrating one. I started by learning from games, trying to break down what they did well and what could be improved. Being an avid reader, one of the first places I turned to when looking to learn game design was books. I credit some of the books that have shaped my understanding and design philosophies, and I highly recommend this route to anyone interested in game design. You can pick up “The Art of Game Design” by Jesse Schell and “A Theory of Fun for Game Design” by Raph Koster as great starting points.
During the last semester of my college, I got the chance to showcase my knowledge by applying for an internship at Totality Corp, a gaming startup founded by IIT & IIM alumni. Funnily enough, I applied with 5 other college friends, some of whom were from the BFA in Game Design program. The assignment was to create a new game concept from scratch and prepare a GDD (Game Design Document) for it. I outshined them and got the job, which was a turning point for me. From that moment on, I never looked back.
I knew this was my opportunity to turn my dreams into reality and become part of the industry that had shaped my life. Looking back, it all feels meant to be, but I want to assure all the young readers that, while going through this phase, I was highly anxious and scared. In the end, my hard work paid off, as it often does.
After that internship, I was offered a full-time role at the same company. The company wanted to challenge itself by creating a gaming experience in the emerging Web3 space. Since it was a new technology with a very unpredictable nature, the endeavour was a big gamble. I volunteered to spearhead the research in Web3, working alongside a competent behavioural researcher. That journey was incredibly tough but also one of the most fruitful periods of my life in terms of personal growth. I emerged on the other side with a plan for a gaming metaverse project, which was then further enhanced for more solidity. All of that effort resulted in us receiving 135 million in funding and a successful NFT launch, where we sold over half a million dollars’ worth of NFTs in just two weeks.I also designed two tokens for that project. One of which ended up in the prestigious news source “The Economic Times”.
After this experience, I felt incredibly confident in my ability to contribute to any team as a creative voice. I wanted to move on to bigger and better opportunities for both professional and personal reasons. My next goal was to climb the vertical ladder and become a Lead. So, I started applying for that, and eventually, I landed a Senior Game Designer job, which brought me back to Pune.
How did you get your first break?
My answer to the previous question suffices for this as well.
What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?
Challenge 1: Being Creative under a Deadline
I had never really experienced the pressure of delivering a creative project within the tight deadlines that are common in the industry. Everyone can come up with a creative idea given enough time, but the true mastery of the craft lies in being able to be creative while still meeting your deadlines and having a reliable pipeline to fall back on. This is something I had to develop by working on more and more games. Before I had my own pipeline, I borrowed from the great game designers I mentioned earlier in the interview.
Challenge 2: Don’t Forget That You Are Dealing with Humans
It doesn’t matter if you have the brightest and most creative ideas if you’re not capable of presenting them in a way that resonates with others. When I first entered the industry, I was a kid with social anxiety, and this was something I struggled with personally. I had to work on my ability to connect with others and be confident enough in my ideas to speak them out loud. Plus, I had to realize that design is universal—games and products are, at their core, experiences made for other humans. If your idea can’t capture the attention of your team lead and colleagues in a brainstorming session, the odds of that idea being implemented or having an impact once it is are close to none.
Where do you work now? What problems do you solve?
I primarily work as a Senior Game Designer and Consultant. In this role, I oversee multiple game projects, ensuring progress is on track and addressing any roadblocks that come up. This position heavily relies on creating high-quality documentation that serves as a shared database of knowledge and blueprints for the game at hand, which helps everyone involved in the process. I also manage expectations and coordinate with people to utilize all available resources in the most efficient way possible.
India’s gaming scene is dominated by mobile games, largely due to the increased accessibility to smartphones. Gaming PCs are still relatively rare. The target audience for most games consists of tech-savvy teenagers who have the time and enthusiasm to invest in gaming. This group tends to use mobile phones far more than any other electronic device.
Additionally, I am a Game Design professor at A.C.A.D. (Indore), where I teach my approach to game design to aspiring designers. This has been one of the most satisfying career choices I’ve made. Being able to help usher in an entire generation of game designers from my home state into the industry is an honor and a privilege. I love talking about my craft, which I’ve dedicated countless hours to, and I’m fortunate to have students and people around me who are passionate enough to listen.
What are key elements in Game Design?
Game designers wear many hats and contribute throughout a game’s life cycle, but they are primarily responsible for a few key areas that are crucial to the overall development and success of the game:
- Gameplay Mechanics:
Games are unique in that they require active participation from the audience, unlike other forms of media where engagement is passive. This means that designers face the distinct challenge of crafting mechanics that effectively express the experience they want to deliver. The gameplay mechanics are the heart of any game, as they dictate how players interact with the game world, what actions they can take, and how those actions impact their progress. Designers must ensure that these mechanics are intuitive, engaging, and aligned with the overall vision of the game, making the player’s actions feel meaningful and rewarding. - System Design & Virtual Economies:
At their core, games are a collection of interconnected systems, each with its own set of rules and operations. Designers are responsible for defining how these systems work together to create a cohesive experience. This involves everything from combat systems to crafting mechanics, and how these elements interact with each other. Additionally, many games feature virtual currencies that players use to progress or enhance their experience. Designing and balancing these virtual economies is a critical task for designers, as it ensures that the game remains fair, enjoyable, and challenging without becoming overwhelming or frustrating for players. - Level & World Design:
The worlds in which games take place need to be carefully designed to be both immersive and navigable. Designers are tasked with creating the lore and backstory of these worlds, ensuring that the game’s setting feels alive and consistent. This involves mapping out the architecture or layout of levels, designing the flow of environments, and placing challenges and rewards in ways that guide and engage players. Good level and world design not only supports the narrative but also enhances gameplay by providing players with a world that feels worth exploring. - Documentation:
One of the most fundamental tasks of a game designer is creating and maintaining detailed documentation. This documentation serves as a blueprint for the entire development team, including artists, programmers, and producers. It captures the game’s vision, mechanics, systems, and all other essential elements in a clear and organized manner. Effective documentation ensures that everyone involved in the project is on the same page and can work towards the same goals, reducing the risk of miscommunication and helping to streamline the development process.
Theres a lot more things designers work on like UI/UX design, Game psychology, analytics & live Ops. These however are much more nuanced.
The complete pipeline of a game happens in three major phases:
- Pre-Production:
This phase is where the initial concept is created and documented. It begins with brainstorming sessions involving the entire design team, focusing on coming up with a game hook—whether it’s a new game mechanic or a narrative concept. Once we have a solid foundation, we conduct market research, analyzing similar projects for inspiration and insights. This helps us set a benchmark for our game concept and identify our target audience, which in turn dictates the design philosophies for the project.
All of this is then documented in a Game Concept Document (GCD), which may be supplemented by concept art of characters and world environments. If the design is narrative-heavy, it might also involve storyboarding for cinematics. This document is then circulated to the rest of the team for feedback, which fuels the creation of a more detailed Game Design Document (GDD). - Production:
This phase starts with finalizing the GDD. Once that’s done, programmers begin laying down the framework for the core mechanics and creating early prototypes. Meanwhile, artists work on the first drafts of character and world designs, and game designers focus on tweaking system designs and balancing economies. This continues until we have everything required for a playable prototype. The process then becomes highly iterative, with a strong emphasis on playtesting to refine the game. - Post-Production:
In this phase, we prepare for the game’s launch and plan for post-launch updates to keep the audience engaged and returning. Analytics play a key role here, as player feedback is crucial for guiding the project in the right direction. Tweaking never really stops in this phase, as there’s almost always something that can be improved for a better response from the player base.
Game artists are responsible for game art or visual aspects. My work is more on the Ideas and systems behind it. Here is a trailer of one of the games that I designed.
What skills are needed for the job? How did you acquire the skills?
Documentation looks different for almost every project, but it’s equally important in all of them. This is one of the most overlooked aspects, yet it’s crucial because poor documentation can lead to miscommunication and lack of coordination later in production, which can be very damaging to the budget and resources of any client or project. After years of tweaking and creating Game Design Documents (GDDs), I’ve developed my own template and approach to documenting a game. I’ll leave a link to this template, which should give a good idea of what an industry-ready GDD should look like. Feel free to use or share it for educational purposes.
How does your work benefit society?
My goal is to create experiences that are unforgettable and leave an everlasting impression on the player. I’m trying to repay the debt I owe to the amazing games I played as a kid, which shaped me into who I am today. I hope to inspire more people along the way and help others achieve the dreams I once held. Being able to shape the youth into competent professionals of the future is both a responsibility and an honour.
Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!
One of the most memorable experiences in my career was designing a live tournament during my time at Totality Corp. This event was a member-only tournament for those who had purchased NFTs for our gaming metaverse, Zionverse. The event spanned seven days and featured a game I designed called “Vijay Dash,” an Indian-themed obstacle course game.
The tournament ran a live leaderboard, where players earned points with each run. At the end of the seven-day event, players were ranked based on their leaderboard positions, and the top players received real-money rewards. The entire production of this event was incredibly fast-paced, with a lot of moving pieces that could have gone wrong. I vividly remember the stress and late nights spent ensuring everything was in place.
Despite the challenges, all the hard work paid off, and the event was a success. Seeing the community engage with the game and the excitement it generated was incredibly rewarding. It’s an experience that stands out in my career, not just because of the scale and complexity but because of the sense of accomplishment and the positive impact it had on our players.
Your advice to students based on your experience?
The only thing I think is important enough to convey right here is that you already have everything you need within you. Don’t go out looking for what you think you lack—you hold the keys to a happy and meaningful life within yourself. Learn to look within for creative inspiration before seeking references outside. You are a collection of unique human experiences, seen through a lens that no one else has. That is your superpower. Wield it responsibly. Trust yourself and the divine one within you to guide you where you’re needed and appreciated. Enjoy life your way!
Future Plans?
I’ve been fortunate enough to experience far more than I ever anticipated, given my humble beginnings, and life has a funny way of steering you in unexpected but much-needed directions. I’m optimistic about my future and am looking for ways to expand on the things I’m already doing. I plan to open my schedule for more guest lectures, workshops, and webinars to reach and help more people. I also want to continue learning as much as I can about my craft and work towards mastering it to the best of my abilities.
An inspiring and Insightful journey!