Video Game Designers
Tasks Include:
- Review or evaluate competitive products, film, music, television, and other art forms to generate new game design ideas.
- Provide test specifications to quality assurance staff.
- Keep abreast of game design technology and techniques, industry trends, or audience interests, reactions, and needs by reviewing current literature, talking with colleagues, participating in educational programs, attending meetings or workshops, or participating in professional organizations or conferences.
- Create gameplay test plans for internal and external test groups.
- Provide feedback to designers and other colleagues regarding game design features.
- Balance and adjust gameplay experiences to ensure the critical and commercial success of the product.
- Write or supervise the writing of game text and dialogue.
- Solicit, obtain, and integrate feedback from design and technical staff into original game design.
- Provide feedback to production staff regarding technical game qualities or adherence to original design.
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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™; US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Projections Quick View:
Virginia: No Data
National: +16.3%
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Job Zone:
Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Income Range:
Highest ($50,000 and up)
Median Earnings:
National
$83,240.00
State
$76,580.00
Regional
Video Game Designers
Description
Career Cluster: | Information Technology |
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.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Video Game Designers
Education
Required Level of Education
- Bachelor's Degree = 55%
- High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) = 15%
- Less than a High School Diploma = 10%
- Some College Courses = 10%
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) = 10%
Related Work Experience
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 30%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 25%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 20%
- None = 10%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 10%
- Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years = 5%
On-Site or In-Plant Training
- None = 45%
- Up to and including 1 month = 20%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 15%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 10%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 5%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 5%
On-the-Job Training
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 30%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 25%
- Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month = 15%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 15%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 10%
- None or short demonstration = 5%
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Video Game Designers
Tasks
Core Tasks Include:
- Review or evaluate competitive products, film, music, television, and other art forms to generate new game design ideas.
- Provide test specifications to quality assurance staff.
- Keep abreast of game design technology and techniques, industry trends, or audience interests, reactions, and needs by reviewing current literature, talking with colleagues, participating in educational programs, attending meetings or workshops, or participating in professional organizations or conferences.
- Create gameplay test plans for internal and external test groups.
- Provide feedback to designers and other colleagues regarding game design features.
- Balance and adjust gameplay experiences to ensure the critical and commercial success of the product.
- Write or supervise the writing of game text and dialogue.
- Solicit, obtain, and integrate feedback from design and technical staff into original game design.
- Provide feedback to production staff regarding technical game qualities or adherence to original design.
- Prepare two-dimensional concept layouts or three-dimensional mock-ups.
- Present new game design concepts to management and technical colleagues, including artists, animators, and programmers.
- Prepare and revise initial game sketches using two- and three-dimensional graphical design software.
- Oversee gameplay testing to ensure intended gaming experience and game adherence to original vision.
- Guide design discussions between development teams.
- Devise missions, challenges, or puzzles to be encountered in game play.
- Develop and maintain design level documentation, including mechanics, guidelines, and mission outlines.
- Determine supplementary virtual features, such as currency, item catalog, menu design, and audio direction.
- Create gameplay prototypes for presentation to creative and technical staff and management.
- Create and manage documentation, production schedules, prototyping goals, and communication plans in collaboration with production staff.
- Consult with multiple stakeholders to define requirements and implement online features.
- Conduct regular design reviews throughout the game development process.
- Collaborate with artists to achieve appropriate visual style.
- Document all aspects of formal game design, using mock-up screenshots, sample menu layouts, gameplay flowcharts, and other graphical devices.
- Create core game features, including storylines, role-play mechanics, and character biographies for a new video game or game franchise.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Video Game Designers
Knowledge
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
81.50 | Design | Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models. |
78.75 | Computers and Electronics | Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. |
61.75 | Communications and Media | Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media. |
57.50 | Psychology | Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders. |
57.50 | Mathematics | Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. |
56.25 | English Language | Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Video Game Designers
Skills
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
75.00 | Programming | Writing computer programs for various purposes. |
72.00 | Active Listening | Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
68.75 | Reading Comprehension | Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. |
68.75 | Critical Thinking | Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. |
65.50 | Judgment and Decision Making | Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
65.50 | Complex Problem Solving | Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
62.50 | Active Learning | Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
59.50 | Time Management | Managing one's own time and the time of others. |
59.50 | Systems Analysis | Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes. |
56.25 | Writing | Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
56.25 | Systems Evaluation | Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system. |
53.00 | Speaking | Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
53.00 | Monitoring | Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. |
53.00 | Coordination | Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. |
50.00 | Social Perceptiveness | Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. |
50.00 | Persuasion | Persuading others to change their minds or behavior. |
50.00 | Negotiation | Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences. |
50.00 | Operations Analysis | Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design. |
50.00 | Technology Design | Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Video Game Designers
Abilities
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
78.00 | Fluency of Ideas | The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity). |
75.00 | Written Comprehension | The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. |
75.00 | Originality | The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem. |
75.00 | Near Vision | The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). |
72.00 | Oral Comprehension | The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. |
72.00 | Written Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. |
72.00 | Information Ordering | The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). |
68.75 | Oral Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. |
68.75 | Problem Sensitivity | The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem. |
68.75 | Deductive Reasoning | The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. |
68.75 | Inductive Reasoning | The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). |
59.50 | Selective Attention | The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted. |
56.25 | Visualization | The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged. |
56.25 | Speech Recognition | The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. |
53.00 | Speech Clarity | The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. |
50.00 | Category Flexibility | The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways. |
50.00 | Flexibility of Closure | The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material. |
50.00 | Perceptual Speed | The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Video Game Designers
Work Activities
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
97.50 | Thinking Creatively | Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
96.25 | Working with Computers | Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
92.50 | Making Decisions and Solving Problems | Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
82.50 | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates | Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
76.25 | Getting Information | Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
73.75 | Processing Information | Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
70.00 | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships | Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
68.75 | Analyzing Data or Information | Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
67.50 | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge | Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
66.25 | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events | Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
65.00 | Developing Objectives and Strategies | Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
65.00 | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work | Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
65.00 | Documenting/Recording Information | Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
58.75 | Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People | Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
58.00 | Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others | Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others. |
57.50 | Developing and Building Teams | Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members. |
54.00 | Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others | Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
52.50 | Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information | Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. |
50.00 | Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings | Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Video Game Designers
Work Styles
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
87.50 | Adaptability/Flexibility | Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. |
86.25 | Cooperation | Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. |
85.00 | Attention to Detail | Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. |
83.75 | Initiative | Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. |
82.50 | Achievement/Effort | Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. |
82.50 | Persistence | Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. |
81.25 | Innovation | Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems. |
78.75 | Stress Tolerance | Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. |
78.75 | Analytical Thinking | Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. |
77.50 | Dependability | Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. |
61.25 | Leadership | Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. |
60.00 | Independence | Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. |
56.25 | Social Orientation | Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job. |
53.75 | Concern for Others | Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. |
51.25 | Self-Control | Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. |
50.00 | Integrity | Job requires being honest and ethical. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Video Game Designers
Work Values
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
83.33 | Achievement | Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. |
83.33 | Independence | Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. |
69.50 | Working Conditions | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. |
55.50 | Recognition | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Video Game Designers
Work Context
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
100.00 | Electronic Mail | How often do you use electronic mail in this job? |
96.80 | Spend Time Sitting | How much does this job require sitting? |
95.00 | Work With Work Group or Team | How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? |
95.00 | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? |
94.00 | Face-to-Face Discussions | How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? |
87.00 | Level of Competition | To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures? |
81.00 | Contact With Others | How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? |
81.00 | Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | How much does this job require making repetitive motions? |
81.00 | Time Pressure | How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? |
81.00 | Structured versus Unstructured Work | To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? |
79.00 | Freedom to Make Decisions | How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? |
77.00 | Coordinate or Lead Others | How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job? |
77.00 | Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls? |
70.00 | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer? |
68.00 | Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job? |
66.00 | Telephone | How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? |
63.20 | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? |
63.00 | Responsibility for Outcomes and Results | How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers? |
62.00 | Frequency of Decision Making | How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization? |
59.00 | Physical Proximity | To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people? |
56.00 | Frequency of Conflict Situations | How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job? |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Video Game Designers
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Overall Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Job Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
- Examples
- Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Video Game Designers
Earnings Benefits*
Region | Entry Level | Median | Experienced |
---|---|---|---|
United States | $43,100.00 | $83,240.00 | $124,070.00 |
Virginia | $37,440.00 | $76,580.00 | $95,990.00 |
Region | Entry Level | Median | Experienced |
Alexandria/Arlington | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Bay Consortium | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Capital Region Workforce Partnership | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Central VA/Region2000 | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Crater Area | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Greater Peninsula | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Hampton Roads | No Data | No Data | No Data |
New River/Mt. Rogers | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Northern Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Piedmont Workforce | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Shenandoah Valley | No Data | No Data | No Data |
South Central | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Southwestern Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
West Piedmont | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Western Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
* Earnings Calculations:
Regional Earnings:
Entry = Annual mean of the lower 1/3 wage distribution;
Experienced = Annual mean of the upper 2/3 wage distribution.
National and State Earnings:
Entry = Annual 10th percentile wage;
Experienced = Annual 75th percentile wage.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Video Game Designers
Employment Projections
Current | Projected | % Change | |
---|---|---|---|
United States | 101,800 | 118,400 | +16.3% |
Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Region | Current* | Projected | % Change |
Alexandria/Arlington | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Bay Consortium | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Capital Region Workforce Partnership | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Central VA/Region2000 | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Crater Area | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Greater Peninsula | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Hampton Roads | No Data | No Data | No Data |
New River/Mt. Rogers | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Northern Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Piedmont Workforce | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Shenandoah Valley | No Data | No Data | No Data |
South Central | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Southwestern Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
West Piedmont | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Western Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Video Game Designers
Related Occupations
Related Occupations
The related occupations here have similar general capabilities and interests; career explorers may also be interested in the related occupations:- Special Effects Artists and Animators
- Graphic Designers
- Web and Digital Interface Designers
- Software Developers
- Web Developers
- Computer Programmers
- Film and Video Editors
- Producers and Directors
- Computer Hardware Engineers
- Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
- Desktop Publishers
- Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
- Art Directors
- Set and Exhibit Designers
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
- Commercial and Industrial Designers
- Web Administrators
- Fashion Designers
- Search Marketing Strategists
- Electrical and Electronics Drafters
Careers in Information Support and Services Pathway:
- Business Intelligence Analysts
- Computer Occupations, All Other
- Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
- Computer User Support Specialists
- Data Warehousing Specialists
- Document Management Specialists
- Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians
- Information Technology Project Managers
- Project Management Specialists
- Search Marketing Strategists
- Video Game Designers
- Web Administrators
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Video Game Designers
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Overview
Occupations
The data sources for the information displayed here include: New York State Department of Labor; New Jersey Department of Labor; California Occupational Information Coordinating Committee; CareerOneStop. (Using onet28)
Video Game Designers
Military Training
The following military job classifications are available for this occupation:
- Engineering and Maintenance Officers, Other
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Defense Manpower Data Center. (Using onet28)
Video Game Designers
Proficiency Ratings
These proficiencies are scored on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being not
important to the job and 5 being extremely important to the job.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Video Game Designers
Related Schools
- Averett University
- Blue Ridge Community College
- Bridgewater College
- Brightpoint Community College
- Central Virginia Community College
- Christopher Newport University
- Columbia College
- Dabney S Lancaster Community College
- Danville Community College
- DeVry University-Virginia
- Eastern Mennonite University
- Eastern Shore Community College
- ECPI University
- Emory & Henry College
- Fairfax University of America
- Ferrum College
- George Mason University
- Germanna Community College
- Hampden-Sydney College
- Hampton University
- J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
- James Madison University
- Laurel Ridge Community College
- Liberty University
- Longwood University
- Marymount University
- Mountain Empire Community College
- New River Community College
- Norfolk State University
- Northern Virginia Community College
- Old Dominion University
- Patrick Henry Community College
- Paul D Camp Community College
- Piedmont Virginia Community College
- Radford University
- Randolph-Macon College
- Rappahannock Community College
- Regent University
- Roanoke College
- Shenandoah University
- South University-Richmond
- South University-Virginia Beach
- Southern Virginia University
- Southside Virginia Community College
- Southwest Virginia Community College
- Stratford University
- Strayer University-Virginia
- The Art Institute of Virginia Beach
- Tidewater Community College
- University of Lynchburg
- University of Management and Technology
- University of Mary Washington
- University of Richmond
- University of Virginia's College at Wise
- University of Virginia-Main Campus
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Virginia Highlands Community College
- Virginia Military Institute
- Virginia Peninsula Community College
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Virginia State University
- Virginia Union University
- Virginia Western Community College
- Washington and Lee University
- William & Mary
- Wytheville Community College
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)