More than 3.2 billion people around the world play video games, and in 2023 alone, the U.S. video game industry created more than 350,000 jobs, according to the International Trade Administration. This included thousands of positions for video game designers. Video game designers are responsible for developing everything within a game, from character interactions to levels and how the game world operates.
Video game designer education can take many forms, but there are key ways to stand out in a competitive field. Earning a bachelor’s degree in game design can help an individual develop design skills, build a portfolio and establish a foundation in the theory and tools that developers value.
What Is a Video Game Designer?
Video game designers oversee all design elements of a video game’s production, from its original concept to its release to the public.
In the early stages of a game’s creation, a designer develops gameplay prototypes, concept layouts or three-dimensional mock-ups for their game idea. From there, they work with writers and other video game professionals to create the core features of the game, including building the overall missions or puzzles, fleshing out the characters and developing the gameplay mechanics.
The designer also develops the look for the game as a whole, from its menu design to its in-game currency. And they maintain extensive documentation of all the gameplay elements to ensure continuity.
Once the game is playable, the designer consults with the game’s stakeholders and creates gameplay tests to be used by focus groups whose responses to playing the game are measured. The designer then collaborates with the programmers and artists to implement their feedback.
The video game designer plays an instrumental role in every part of the video game’s production process, from concept through alpha (playable but incomplete), beta (complete but untested) and release versions of the game and beyond, including working on patches to address any bugs and needed gameplay fixes.
Video Game Designer Job Description
The day-to-day duties of a video game designer include:
- Developing video game tools
- Building video game features
- Testing video game gameplay
- Documenting gameplay mechanics and design
- Collaborating with other video game professionals on story flow and other details
- Preparing presentations for stakeholders
- Developing internal and external testing procedures
- Analyzing market trends to predict a video game’s success
- Staying up to date on technological trends to potentially implement in a game
How to Become a Video Game Designer
A video game designer’s education can take any of several different paths. However, certain types of training and experience can help candidates get noticed by potential future employers.
Required Education and Experience
While most game developers require designers to have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent, most hold a bachelor’s degree in game design, graphic design or a related field. Video game design is a highly competitive field, and specific courses and experience can help video game designer hopefuls differentiate themselves.
Many employers expect incoming designers to already know programming languages such as HTML and JavaScript, but they also value proficiency in other technologies, such as graphics software, database management systems and project management software.
Prospective video game designers need to have experience as well. Some bachelor’s programs offer the opportunity for internships, where students can gain hands-on experience.
Another way to develop real-world skills is to sign on for gaming hackathons, where volunteers collaborate to develop a working game in a set time frame. Aspiring designers can also create their own simple games, either alone or with their fellow students, or look for opportunities to volunteer with smaller gaming studios to develop small-scale indie games.
When looking for a video game designer position, students will likely find that studios typically expect candidates to have a portfolio of work. Course projects, volunteer or self-guided games, and work completed during an internship all help students build a portfolio.
Necessary Skills
Video game design requires a number of hard and soft skills, including in the following areas:
- Programming: Video game designers need to have experience with computer languages such as HTML, JavaScript, C++ and Python.
- Teamwork: Modern video games are typically made by large teams, so knowing how to collaborate effectively is crucial.
- User Experience (UX) Design: Video game designers need to be able to think like the people who will use their game so they can plan the game according to what leads to the best user experience.
- Active Learning: Because technology changes so quickly, designers must always be learning new ways to enhance their games with current and new technology.
Salary and Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) includes employment data for video game designers under the category of web developers and digital designers. The BLS lists the median annual salary for web developers and digital designers at $95,380 as of May 2024. This employment category is experiencing high growth, with an expected increase in positions of 8% between 2023 and 2033.
Create the Next Great Video Game With a Degree From UAlbany
Video games come in many different genres and styles. They can be educational games that teach children their letters and numbers. They can be massive multiplayer online role-playing games, with complex character development and endless missions. They can be games designed to be played as couch co-ops, where parties full of friends get together to reach a collaborative goal in the game. The only limit is the video game designer’s imagination.
In the University at Albany’s Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development program, students can find the video game design education they need to create the next big thing. They can develop technical skills and foundational game design knowledge before specializing in one of nine concentrations. From Innovative Narrative in Game Design to AI and Game Design and Development, each of these tracks introduces students to advanced concepts and the latest technological trends in gaming.
Students also choose from an independent research project, an internship or a capstone that they can use to develop a portfolio. With both on-campus and online options, the UAlbany game design program is both flexible and accessible to accommodate students’ needs.
Take your first step toward designing the future of gaming with UAlbany.
UAlbany Receives Insight Into Academia Award for Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being
UAlbany Summer: Museum Internship Helps Grad Student Find Her Future by Sharing the Past
Money Names UAlbany One of the Country’s Best Colleges