Video Game Designers

What the job really is

Design core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed.

At a glance

• Sector: Computer & Mathematical
• O*NET-SOC code: 15-1255
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Write or supervise the writing of game text and dialogue.
• Consult with multiple stakeholders to define requirements and implement online features.
• Balance and adjust gameplay experiences to ensure the critical and commercial success of the product.
• Devise missions, challenges, or puzzles to be encountered in game play.
• Create core game features, including storylines, role-play mechanics, and character biographies for a new video game or game franchise.
• Solicit, obtain, and integrate feedback from design and technical staff into original game design.
• Conduct regular design reviews throughout the game development process.
• Develop and maintain design level documentation, including mechanics, guidelines, and mission outlines.
• Document all aspects of formal game design, using mock-up screenshots, sample menu layouts, gameplay flowcharts, and other graphical devices.
• Provide feedback to designers and other colleagues regarding game design features.
• Create and manage documentation, production schedules, prototyping goals, and communication plans in collaboration with production staff.
• Provide feedback to production staff regarding technical game qualities or adherence to original design.

Tools and technology

Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Atlassian JIRA, Autodesk Maya, C, C#, C++, Extensible markup language XML, Git, Hypertext markup language HTML

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Web and Digital Interface Designers
• Special Effects Artists and Animators
• Graphic Designers
• Web Developers
• Computer Programmers
• Film and Video Editors
• Software Developers
• Producers and Directors

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Video Game Designers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.