OVERVIEW
What Is a Video Game Designer?
A video game designer imagines almost everything about a game, including its storyline, characters, artwork, and level layouts. They often begin with concept documents or “game bibles” that outline the vision, style, and mechanics long before coding or game engine work begins.
Designers meet with different teams to create a cohesive vision. They work closely with game programmers and artists to test and implement various design concepts, identifying and correcting errors and other problems that arise.
Compare these tasks to those of a video game developer, who programs the game’s coding and ensures that all of the technical aspects are correctly implemented. Developers also enlist the help of focus groups and QA testers to work out bugs and ensure that the game runs as flawlessly as possible before release.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Video Game Designer Do?
Video game designers work in many stages of the video game development process. Different job titles within video game design hold different responsibilities, but in general, video game designers perform tasks like:
- Brainstorming new game ideas and mechanics to engage audiences
- Outlining the game’s core concepts and storyboarding the overall game experience
- Writing characters and plots based on the storyboard of the game
- Developing the code and game engine assets necessary for the game to function
- Documenting and debugging code
- Managing and archiving design documents
- Collaborating with developers, programmers, and other stakeholders to refine and polish the game
- Responding to user feedback and addressing QA concerns
- Creating patches and bug fixes before and after the game is released
Where Do Video Game Designers Work?
Video game designers can work in a wide variety of settings depending on the size, focus, and goals of the studio or company. Most designers work as part of collaborative, multidisciplinary teams that include artists, programmers, writers, sound engineers, and producers. Their work environments range from major studios to small, independent teams.
Many game designers work for large, AAA studios such as Electronic Arts or Ubisoft, with large budgets and long production timelines. Others may be employed at smaller indie studios that enjoy more creative freedom. Some video game designers specialize in making games for training purposes in healthcare, education, military, and corporate settings.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
What Education Does a Video Game Designer Need?
Consider the following steps as you prepare for a career in video game design.
1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree in software engineering or computer science is an ideal place to start if you want to become a video game designer. These degree programs grant critical knowledge and skills in data management, software development, web development, UX and UI design, and more. Skills in these areas are essential as you pursue a career focused on video game design. Some universities also offer specialized degrees in game design, animation, or interactive media that blend art and technology coursework.
2. Gain Experience
To thrive in a video game designer role, you’ll need to obtain on-the-job experience. Internships and entry-level positions in software design or development can help you acclimate to the daily tasks of a video game designer and give you the opportunity to practice relevant skills before seeking higher-level positions. You can also gain hands-on experience by contributing to open-source projects or creating your own small games using tools like Unity, Godot, Unreal Engine, Construct, or RPG Maker, many of which offer free versions and online tutorials.
3. Get Certified
Earning industry certification is perhaps the best way to stand out to employers and prove your competency with specific skills. Before seeking a cert, determine which aspect of game design you want to focus on, whether it’s working in level design, narrative design, user experience, or any number of other areas. Then, complete the required coursework and pass the exam.
Popular certs for video game design include Unity Certified 3D Artist, Unreal Engine Certified Professional, and Certified Game Designer.
4. Build a Network
While you develop the skills and earn the credentials you need to succeed as a video game designer, consider networking by participating in game development communities, attending gaming industry events and game jams, engaging with other designers on social media, and sharing your personal portfolio with like-minded individuals and potential employers. Forging connections in these ways can go a long way in helping you establish yourself in the field.
Best Degrees for a Video Game Designer
Technology
Software Engineering – B.S.
Build the software behind the next generation of AI....
Build the software behind the next generation of AI.
- Time:60% of graduates finish similar programs within35 months.
- Tuition:$4,125 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 36 or 38 total courses in this program depending on your track.
Certifications included in this program at no additional cost are:
- CompTIA Project +
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- ITIL®1 Foundation Certification
You can also accelerate your program and complete both a B.S. in Software Engineering and an M.S. in Software Engineering together, requiring less courses overall and saving you time and money.Learn more about this option.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Scripting and programming
- Web development
- Mobile application development
- User experience design
- Software quality assurance
Technology
Software Engineering – M.S.
Lead the next generation of AI innovation with advanced skills in AI...
Lead the next generation of AI innovation with advanced skills in AI Engineering, DevOps, and Domain-Driven Design.
- Time:61% of graduates finish similar programs within 20 months.
- Tuition:$4,385 per 6-month term.
- Courses:10 total courses in this program.
This program features three specializations that help you focus your studies and boost your résumé with specific skills and experience. The specialization areas are AI Engineering, DevOps Engineering, and Domain Driven Design.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program include:
- Software design
- Architecture
- Project management
- Testing
- System integration
How Much Does a Video Game Designer Make?
$71,557
According to Payscale.com, the in 2025 is $71,557. The lowest 10% earn around $46,000 while the highest 10% earn around $115,000. A game designer’s salary depends on several factors, including education, experience, and location. Game designers have the opportunity to earn a lucrative income once they put their various talents to work. Freelance or contract designers can also earn income through royalties, downloadable content (DLC) sales, and licensing agreements.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
7%
While some areas of video game design are expected to see decline, the technical design and development areas of game design are still growing steadily. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall —is projected to grow by 7% from 2024 to 2034, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Video Game Designer Need?
Some of the top skills that video game designers need to be successful at their job include:
- Creativity and artistic vision. Regardless of the genre, video game designers create entirely new worlds that immerse and delight players. Fleshing out these scenarios takes an immense amount of artistic vision and creativity.
- Time management. Video game design comes with a lot of moving pieces, and it’s your responsibility to deliver work that’s not only on point but also on time.
- Communication and collaboration. Game design requires effective communication skills on multiple levels. Collective effort across teams and clear inter-team communication are fundamental to a game’s success.
- Passion and knowledge. You should be passionate about games and the gaming industry. You’ll also need to possess wide-ranging knowledge of gaming trends and reflect them in your work.
- Programming skills. While design theory is important, programming often dictates how players interact with your created environments. C++, C#, and JavaScript are some of the most popular programming languages used for video game design. Familiarity with game engine software is also essential.
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