Game designers create fun and engaging games. They constantly look for new ways to play and incorporate games and interactions into different settings to bring more fun into the world. Their goal is to find innovative ways to entertain and engage people.
Median income:
$87,645 annually or $42.14 per hour.
Lifestyle:
The lifestyle of a game designer involves intense creativity and collaboration with team members to develop and refine game concepts and mechanics, often requiring flexible hours and a deep passion for gaming culture.
Exciting Parts Of The Job
Designing new worlds, characters, and gameplay mechanics
Seeing players enjoy and engage with your creations
Working with diverse teams of artists, programmers, developers, and writers.
Challenging Parts Of The Job
Managing the business aspect of game design, including business development, contracts, and budgets
Balancing player expectations as they might have different gameplay preferences
Facing periods of creative blocks, where fresh ideas are hard to come by
Education requirements:
Open to any background, including those without degrees (see “How to Become a Game Designer” below).
This is perfect for you if:
You love playing games
You enjoy creating visual and interactive experiences
You’re a team player and an innovator
You love telling stories through games
If that sounds like you, definitely watch our interview with Juliana Moreno to learn more about being a game designer here!
Day in the Life
Schedule:
A game designer’s daily schedule involves managing multiple projects concurrently to meet various deadlines efficiently. They work at the standard, 9 am to 5 pm working hours. Workload fluctuates, with both busy periods and slower periods requiring proactive networking and project management.
Setting:
Full-time game designers typically work in offices like game development studios or large tech companies. On the other hand, self-employed game designers often choose to work remotely, from home offices or coworking spaces.
Tasks:
A game designer’s daily tasks include crafting physical prototypes, reviewing contracts, consulting on immersive experiences, and creating new puzzles. This blend of creative and logistical work ensures each day remains dynamic and engaging in the field of game design.
Topics:
Game designers continually learn about design techniques and principles for creating technical plans and models. Additionally, they study mathematics and psychology for effective game development and design.
Skills:
Game designers excel at understanding player reactions and crafting engaging experiences. They are adept at multitasking, project management, and using creativity to design compelling games.
Tools:
Game designers use laptops for video meetings, research, and quick prototyping using PowerPoint. They utilize Photoshop for detailed artwork presentations, ensuring precise communication of their concepts.
Common Characteristics
Natural Talents (strengths):
Creative instinct, constantly generating fresh ideas for gameplay, storytelling, and visual design. They excel at quickly turning these ideas into practical concepts.
Interests:
Creating engaging gameplay, storytelling, understanding player behavior, innovating game mechanics and technology, collaborating with teams, and managing projects.
Personality:
Artistic, investigative, and enterprising personality types. They are imaginative in their approach to creating immersive experiences, analytical in understanding player behavior, and entrepreneurial in managing the business aspects.
Values:
Creativity, collaboration, achievement, good working conditions, and the satisfaction of seeing players enjoy the games they’ve created.
*Terms used to describe interests and personality are based on the Holland Framework.
How to Become a Game Designer
Education requirements:
Game design welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those without degrees. However, a bachelor’s degree in an art-related field can be beneficial, as well as practical experience gained through extensive engagement with different games in the industry.
Preferred majors:
Pursuing majors or having a background in product design, visualization, game design, theater, or any art-related field can be helpful.
Specialties and Similar Career Paths
Design Director
Designer
Environmental Artist
Game Design Consultant
Gamemaster
Product Design
Level Designer
Video Game Designer
World Designer
Advice from Juliana
Job hunt tips to set yourself apart:
Build a strong portfolio, gain practical experience through projects, endgame jams, and continuously network within the industry. Always stay updated on trends, seek internships, and show your passion for games when applying.
Fastest way to get your foot in the door:
Immerse yourself in the gaming community by working at escape rooms, joining local game meetups, or even visiting game bars. Volunteering, interning, and networking with others in the field are important steps to gain experience and start your career quickly.
Recommended resources:
Juliana recommends a few resources and activities for aspiring game designers:
Activities:
Play all types of games: tabletop games, live experiences, and anything available locally.
Travel for inspiration: visit different locations and experiences to gather new game ideas.
What Juliana would tell her younger self if she was just getting started:
“This is a real job, and you can do it. I remember when we made our first game, transitioning from writers to game designers—it felt like I could finally say, ‘I’m a game designer.’ It seemed like a made-up career because I never realized people actually create the games we’ve played our whole lives. So yes, this is very real, and you can absolutely make this happen.”
