Video Game Designers

Career summary

Most video games are developed by teams of workers. Usually, there is a lead programmer and a lead designer plus artists, musicians, and a lot of programmers. The lead designer develops the overall concept and feel of the game. Depending on the game, the lead designer develops a story line or rules.

It is the responsibility of the lead designer to produce a design document to explain the vision of the game in detail. This document includes the story line, charts, graphs, and sketches.

The lead designer is unlikely to create all of the art in the design document. The designer generally assigns this work to other game designers called level designers. These designers work on their assigned projects and meet with the lead designer to discuss their work. Designers must be able to communicate their ideas and needs clearly. They must also understand technology.

Related careers

This career is part of the Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Animators and Multimedia Artists
• Art Directors
• Computer Engineers
• Computer Programmers
• Graphic Designers
• Music Composers, Directors, and Arrangers
• Producers and Directors
• Video Game Testers
• Writers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to video game designers.

• Adjust gameplay experience to make sure the product is successful with the public.
• Provide feedback to other designers and colleagues regarding game features.
• Create core game features such as storylines, role-playing, and character biographies.
• Devise missions, challenges, or puzzles for players to come across during game play.
• Guide and participate in design discussions with development teams.
• Maintain design records and documentation.
• Create and manage production schedules, goals, and plans.
• Present new game design concepts to colleagues including artists, animators, and programmers.
• Obtain and integrate feedback from design and technical staff into game design.
• Mock-up screenshots, menu layouts, and gameplay flowcharts.
• Provide feedback to production staff regarding technical game qualities.

Common work activities

Video game designers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Think creatively
• Use computers
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Get information needed to do the job
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Document and record information
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Analyze data or information
• Process information
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Develop and build teams
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Develop goals and strategies
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Teach others
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Schedule work and activities
• Provide advice and consultation to others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, video game designers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a fairly high level of social interaction. They work with other designers throughout the day.
• Are responsible for the work outcomes of other workers.
• Occasionally are placed in conflict situations.
• Almost always work as part of a team.
• Communicate via telephone, e-mail, and face-to-face discussions.

Physical work conditions

• Always work indoors.
• Must be accurate and exact when programming. Errors could impact a player's experience.
• Sometimes repeat the same physical and mental activities.
• May share office space with others.

Work performance

• Must be sure that all details of the job are done and their work is exact. Programming errors could cost the company money in lost time or data.
• Must sometimes repeat the same physical and mental tasks.
• Work in a competitive environment.
• Must meet strict deadlines often.
• Can set most tasks and goals without talking to a supervisor.
• Sometimes make decisions that affect others.

Hours/travel

• Usually work more than 40 hours per week. Overtime is common.
• Usually work a set schedule.

Physical demands

Video game designers frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Repeat the same movements.

It is important for video game designers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for video game designers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.

Skills and abilities

Video game designers need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand written information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Manage the time of self and others.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with people

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.

Work with things

• Write computer programs.
• Analyze needs and requirements when designing products.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Animation, Video Graphics, and Special Effects
• Computer Graphics
• Computer Programming
• Computer Science
• Game and Interactive Media Design
• Playwriting and Screenwriting

Other programs of study to consider

• Computational Mathematics
• Multimedia and Intermedia
• Project Management
• Web Page and Multimedia Design

Training

To work as a video game designer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's degree in computer graphics or a related field; and
• have work experience in a related occupation.

Education after high school

Many designers have a bachelor's degree in computer graphics or a related field. A degree in English or journalism may be helpful. A background in art, graphic design, computer programming, or computer science can also be good preparation.

A small number of colleges and universities offer gaming minors as part of a computer science program. Many training programs are also available on the Internet. A list of college, university, and online training programs worldwide is available at Game Career Guide .

Note that this is not a complete list of schools. Exercise caution when enrolling in online programs in this area. Because this is an emerging area of study, the industry does not yet have training requirements. As a result, the quality and depth of information provided by programs vary widely. You should investigate the schools you are interested in.

Work experience

This is not an entry-level position. You must work for years in other positions in the industry, such as artist or programmer, and move your way up. Most game designers do not start by working on high-profile games that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to create. Instead, less-experienced designers start by working on low-profile games with smaller budgets.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum  may be different from your state's graduation requirements . Game designers do a lot of writing so you should take as many English courses as possible.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Art
• Computer Programming
• Creative Writing
• Drawing and Painting
• Graphic Design

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

This is not an entry-level occupation. Employers prefer applicants who have many years of experience. Education is usually less important to employers than an applicant's skills and creativity. However, many employers look for applicants who have a bachelor's degree.

Employers also look for video game designers who have good communication and organizational skills.

Although the video game industry is large, there are more people trying to enter the field than there are available jobs. As a result, competition for jobs is very strong. Most game designers do not start by working on high-profile games that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to create. Instead, less-experienced designers start by working on low-profile games with smaller budgets.

Workers in the video game industry tend to change jobs frequently. Many development companies are small startups. These companies may not last long or may hire workers for a single project only.

Wages

#Currently, there is no specific statewide wage information available for video game designers. However, this occupation is part of the larger group called "all other computer occupations."

Wages vary widely based on the video game designer's level of education and experience. In addition, wages vary by employer, type of game developed, and area of the country.

Video game designers often work long hours to meet deadlines. They are usually paid a salary, meaning they are not paid overtime for working more than 40 hours a week.

Benefits also vary by employer. Full-time video game designers usually receive typical benefits. These include vacation, sick leave, health insurance, and a retirement plan.

National wage information is not available specifically for video game designers. However, they are part of the larger group of "all other computer occupations."

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

#Currently, there is no specific statewide outlook information available for video game designers. However, this occupation is part of the larger group called "all other computer occupations."

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Computer and video game design companies

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will grow faster than average. The video game industry is large. However, competition for jobs is very strong. Prospects are best for those with a background in arts or computer programming.

Workers in the video game industry tend to change jobs frequently. Many development companies are small startups. These companies may not last long or may hire workers for a single project only.

Employment and outlook information is not available specifically for video game designers. However, they are part of the larger group of "all other computer occupations."

Other resources

Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences 

Association for Computing Machinery SIGGRAPH 

Gamasutra 
303 Second Street, Suite 900
San Francisco, CA 94107
415.947.6000

Game Biz Advice 

IEEE Computer Society 
2001 L Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
202.371.0101

International Game Developers Association 
150 Eglinton Ave. East, Suite 402
Toronto, ON M4P 1E8 Canada

Washington Interactive Network 

Writers Guild of America, West 
7000 West Third Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
800.548.4532
323.951.4000

References

Career cluster

• Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications

Career path

• Artistic

O*Net  occupation

• Video Game Designers (15-1199.11) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

Holland occupational cluster

• Artistic/Enterprising/Conventional