Video Game Designer

Your Fit

Income

$98K

Preparation

Considerable

Growth

15.2%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Video Game Designer?

A Video Game Designer is a professional who conceptualizes and creates the content and rules of a video game. They are integral in shaping the game's narrative, gameplay mechanics, character development, and environment.

Sample job titles:

Design Director, Designer, Game Designer, World Designer

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Video Game Designer.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Video Game Designer earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$48K per year	$65K per year	$98K per year	$142K per year	$192K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $49K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Video Game Designer do?

Work environment

Video Game Designers typically work in studios or offices as part of a larger development team, which can include artists, programmers, and other designers. The environment is often collaborative and creative but can also be fast-paced and deadline-driven, especially in the periods leading up to a game's release.

Quick task list

Develops game plots, characters, and gameplay mechanics.
Collaborates with artists and programmers to bring game concepts to life.
Writes and revises game scripts.
Tests and refines gameplay experiences.
Stays up to date with gaming trends and new technologies.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Level Design: Focusing on creating the stages or levels of a game.
Narrative Design: Crafting the story and dialogue within the game.
Gameplay Design: Developing and balancing the game's rules and mechanics.
User Experience (UX) Design: Ensuring the game is intuitive and engaging for players.
System Design: Working on the game's underlying technical architecture and functionalities.

Description

Video Game Designers are at the heart of game development, blending creativity with technical skills to create engaging and immersive gaming experiences. They start by conceptualizing the idea for a game, which involves brainstorming the game's genre, setting, story, characters, objectives, and gameplay mechanics. This creative process requires a strong imagination, an understanding of what makes a game enjoyable, and an awareness of current trends in the gaming industry.

Once the game's blueprint is established, designers work closely with artists, animators, and programmers to bring their vision to life. This collaborative process involves constant iteration and refinement to ensure that the game is not only fun to play but also technically sound and marketable. Designers need to have a good understanding of game engines, programming basics, and graphic design to effectively communicate their ideas to the rest of the team.

The field of game design is constantly evolving with new technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality, offering fresh avenues for creativity and innovation. Video game designers must be lifelong learners, continually updating their skills and knowledge to stay relevant in this dynamic industry.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

The creativity involved in imagining and creating new worlds and experiences.
The joy of seeing players engage with and enjoy the games you've helped create.
The dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the gaming industry.

You might make a good Video Game Designer if you are...

Creative, with a passion for storytelling and game development.
A problem-solver who enjoys thinking about game mechanics and player experience.
Technically inclined, with an interest in learning game development tools and software.
A good communicator, able to convey your ideas effectively to team members.
Adaptable and able to work well both independently and as part of a team.

Pros:

Opportunity to work in a creative and dynamic industry.
Potential to reach a large audience with your creative work.
Opportunities for collaboration with talented artists, programmers, and other designers.

Cons:

High-pressure work environment, especially as project deadlines approach.
The need to continually update skills in a rapidly changing industry.
Potential for long hours and the need for flexibility in your work schedule.

How to become a Video Game Designer

Typical education

A bachelor's degree in game design, computer science, digital media, or a related field is commonly required, taking about 4 years of post-secondary education. Some designers may enter the field with degrees in graphic design, animation, or other relevant areas of study.

High school preparation

Courses:

Art and Design to develop your creative skills.
Computer Science to gain an understanding of programming and software development.
English or Creative Writing to enhance narrative and storytelling abilities.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Joining or forming a coding or gaming club.
Participating in game jams or design competitions.
Creating your own game projects or mods for existing games.

Preparation after high school

Pursue a bachelor's degree in game design, digital media, computer science, or a related field.
Develop a portfolio of your work, including any games or game elements you have created.
Gain experience through internships or collaborative projects in game development.

More resources

Game Developers Conference (GDC) - An annual event for professionals in the game industry.
International Game Developers Association (IGDA) - A global network of game developers and resources.
Unity Learn - Offers tutorials and courses on using the Unity game development engine.
Unreal Engine Online Learning - Provides self-paced learning resources for Unreal Engine.

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Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.