Table of Contents
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.
- Balance and adjust gameplay experiences to ensure the critical and commercial success of the product.
- 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.
Become
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Video Game Designers with little to no experience tend to make between $47350 and $66410 while the more experienced ones can earn over $117070 per year.
| Top 5 paying states | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| DC | $57 | $117,540 |
| MD | $54 | $113,330 |
| NH | $54 | $112,440 |
| VA | $51 | $105,270 |
| CA | $50 | $103,270 |
One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Video Game Designer is to move to a higher paying state like DC. Right now, the highest paying states for Video Game Designers are DC, MD, NH, VA and CA.
However, a higher pay at DC doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at DC might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.
Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Video Game Designer is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.
Requirements
We asked other Video Game Designers what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a Bachelor’s Degree followed by an Associate’s Degree.
Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.
| Computer and Information Sciences, General |
| Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician |
| Information Science/Studies |
| Computer Science |
| Information Technology Project Management |
Pros and Cons
Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Video Game Designer.
| PROS |
|---|
| Suitable for people who likes to work with designs |
| Suitable for people who values achievements and are results-oriented |
| This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors. |
| Very high salary (top 25% highest paid careers) |
| CONS |
|---|
| Not suitable for people who likes to help and teach others |
| It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career. |
| Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week) |
What is the job like
70% of Video Game Designers said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.
Is this right for me
You can read more about these career personality types here.
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.
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Related career information
Video Game Designers job description, Video Game Designers salary, Video Game Designers information, what is the job of a Video Game Designer like, pros and cons about Video Game Designers, colleges and universities for Video Game Designers, is Video Game Designers the right career for me, careers in Computer IT and Mathematics
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Additional resources
Last updated: April 28, 2020
Start your journey to be a Video Game Designer
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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.
