What Do Video Game Designers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

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Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life

Video Game Designers

Video Game Designers 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.

Salary
$114270
Becoming One
Hard
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



Job Description

Job Description

Video Game Designers 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. They also balance and adjust gameplay experiences to ensure the critical and commercial success of the product.

Other tasks include:

  • Provide feedback to designers and other colleagues regarding game design features.
  • Create core game features including storylines, role-play mechanics, and character biographies for a new video game or game franchise.
  • Devise missions, challenges, or puzzles to be encountered in game play.
  • Guide design discussions between development teams.
  • Develop and maintain design level documentation, including mechanics, guidelines, and mission outlines.
  • Create and manage documentation, production schedules, prototyping goals, and communication plans in collaboration with production staff.

We asked Video Game Designers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

Job satisfaction

70%

How meaningful is this job

46%


70% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.



Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Video Game Designers guide design discussions between development teams. They balance and adjust gameplay experiences to ensure the critical and commercial success of the product.

A typical day for a Video Game Designer will also include:

  • Solicit, obtain, and integrate feedback from design and technical staff into original game design.
  • Create and manage documentation, production schedules, prototyping goals, and communication plans in collaboration with production staff.
  • Provide feedback to designers and other colleagues regarding game design features.
  • Provide feedback to production staff regarding technical game qualities or adherence to original design.
  • Consult with multiple stakeholders to define requirements and implement online features.

We asked some Video Game Designers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job? 14% said yes
How important is it to work in a team in this job? 76% said very important
Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? 90% said yes
Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? 0% said yes
Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? 0% said yes
Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? 10% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Video Game Designers also consult with multiple stakeholders to define requirements and implement online features. They may also prepare and revise initial game sketches using two- and three-dimensional graphical design software.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Video Game Designers Provide test specifications to quality assurance staff. They might also Document all aspects of formal game design, using mock-up screenshots, sample menu layouts, gameplay flowcharts, and other graphical devices.

In addition, they Prepare two-dimensional concept layouts or three-dimensional mock-ups.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Determine supplementary virtual features, such as currency, item catalog, menu design, and audio direction.

To some Video Game Designers, it is also their responsibility to Devise missions, challenges, or puzzles to be encountered in game play.


Working life

Working hours

More than 40 hours per week

Working schedule

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Video Game Designer, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Do Video Game Designers work in an office-style work environment?

Every day
90%


Once a month
5%


Do Video Game Designers work outdoors?

Never
95%


Once a year
5%



Is this right for me

Best personality for this career

The Artists and The Entrepreneurs

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules..

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

You can read more about these career personality types here.



Learn more about Video Game Designers

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Related to Video Game Designers Job Description

Video Game Designers job description, what do Video Game Designers do, typical day for Video Game Designers, what is it like to work as a Video Game Designer, how many hours do Video Game Designers work, day to day work of a Video Game Designer

Additional resources

http://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2011/fall/art01.pdf


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