Do you have to play video games to be a game art computer animator?

I've recently decided what I want to be once I graduate High School.

I'm interested in computer animation specifying in game art.

I used to play video games but quit because it was taking up a lot of my time.

I still love the art of it, I just don't really like to take time to play it.

In order to be a game art computer animator, is it important to play games?

Any other information you have about game art animation would be helpful, thanks.Do you have to play video games to be a game art computer animator?
its not a must to play games to be a game art animator or graphics designer

it just helps

playing games shows you whats outthere, standards for other games, ideas, examples, etc.

also you may have to field test what ever graphics/games you end up making

this concept of playing games to be able to do the art is much like saying a painter has to read picture books and art books and painting books

while doing so may help or improve their own work it isnt necessary

it would be a little bit different if you have never played a game but want to do the art because you would not understand the concept of it

but playing games helps give you a feel for what things are like after a while you will be able to point out a general flow of how designs are made how graphics , environments, and gravity is setup and how it differs from game to game, and also be able to take that to develop your own idea and style to do it

all you really need is to be creative and time and practice it might not be the best work at first but i dont think anyone starts off making cod/WOW graphicsDo you have to play video games to be a game art computer animator?
Yeah

nada guides