Video Game Designers :: Job Description

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Video Game Designers

Careers / Video Game Designers

Summary Description


	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.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Computer Game Designer

2.	Computer Video Game Designer

3.	Design Director

4.	Designer/Writer

5.	Game Designer

6.	Game Designer/Creative Director

7.	Game Engineer

8.	Gameplay Engineer

9.	Interactive Multimedia Designer

10.	Lead Designer

11.	Lead Game Designer

12.	Lead Level Designer

13.	Mid Level Game Designer

14.	Mobile Game Engineer

15.	Senior Game Designer

16.	Senior Game Designer/Senior Environmental Artist

17.	Senior Gamemaster

18.	Video Game Creator

19.	Video Game Designer

20.	Video Game Developer

21.	Video Game Engineer

22.	Video Game Maker

23.	Video Game Programmer

24.	Videogame Designer

25.	World Designer

Job Tasks

	Balance and adjust gameplay experiences to ensure the critical and commercial success of the product. Design video game features or details.

	Provide feedback to designers and other colleagues regarding game design features. Communicate project information to others.

	Create core game features including storylines, role-play mechanics, and character biographies for a new video game or game franchise. Design video game features or details.

	Devise missions, challenges, or puzzles to be encountered in game play. Design video game features or details.

	Guide design discussions between development teams. Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.

	Develop and maintain design level documentation, including mechanics, guidelines, and mission outlines. Design video game features or details. Document design or development procedures.

	Create and manage documentation, production schedules, prototyping goals, and communication plans in collaboration with production staff. Manage information technology projects or system activities. Manage documentation to ensure organization or accuracy.

	Present new game design concepts to management and technical colleagues, including artists, animators, and programmers. Communicate project information to others.

	Conduct regular design reviews throughout the game development process. Test software performance.

	Solicit, obtain, and integrate feedback from design and technical staff into original game design. Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.

	Document all aspects of formal game design, using mock-up screenshots, sample menu layouts, gameplay flowcharts, and other graphical devices. Document design or development procedures.

	Provide feedback to production staff regarding technical game qualities or adherence to original design. Communicate project information to others.

	Prepare two-dimensional concept layouts or three-dimensional mock-ups. Prepare graphics or other visual representations of information.

	Consult with multiple stakeholders to define requirements and implement online features. Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.

	Oversee gameplay testing to ensure intended gaming experience and game adherence to original vision. Test software performance.

	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. Update knowledge about emerging industry or technology trends.

	Create gameplay prototypes for presentation to creative and technical staff and management. Prepare graphics or other visual representations of information.

	Write or supervise the writing of game text and dialogue. Design video game features or details. Supervise information technology personnel.

	Collaborate with artists to achieve appropriate visual style. Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.

	Determine supplementary virtual features, such as currency, item catalog, menu design, and audio direction. Design video game features or details.

	Review or evaluate competitive products, film, music, television, and other art forms to generate new game design ideas. Analyze market or customer related data.

	Prepare and revise initial game sketches using two- and three-dimensional graphical design software. Prepare graphics or other visual representations of information.

	Provide test specifications to quality assurance staff. Communicate project information to others.

	Create gameplay test plans for internal and external test groups. Develop testing routines or procedures.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

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.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

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