I apply data science and data driven intelligent products and services to market in video games, enterprise and eLearning. In addition to creating leading game-based eLearning platforms and games, I do a lot of consulting for data-driven growth stage technology companies and highly innovative eLearning initiatives.
CAREER
Video Game Designers
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$77,200
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+8% (as fast as the average)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Video Game Designers Do
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.
Other Job Titles Video Game Designers May Have
Design Director, Designer, Game Designer, Level Designer, World Designer
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
Currently, I've been working with a team to create a groundbreaking VR games for PS4 and PC using the Unreal Engine. I utilize a variety of programming languages on a daily basis to help me create the product vision including Unreal, Unity, C/C++, C#, Python, Linux/AWS. With game design, it also involves identifying the bugs in the code and resolving those so that they are compatible with different platforms.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- 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.
- Guide design discussions between development teams.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Video Game Designers
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Bachelor's Degree (57%)
Bachelor's Degree
Associate's Degree
Some College Courses
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
High School
Certification / License
Animation, Interactive Techno...
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Computer Programming/Programmer, General
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
Strong storytelling and narrative skills are essential when pitching a product. Being dyslexic, I've developed a type of dynamic reasoning that has helped me in my life. You need to embrace different ways of thinking and challenge yourself to think outside of the box.
Be a good planner and keep on top of your work. Learn how to priortize tasks.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
High School Students
Be as well-rounded as you can be. Take every art class you can to start developing an understanding of techniques in multiple mediums. Get very familiar with digital art packages like Photoshop and After Effects. Get familiar with Max and Maya. There are plenty of free tutorials online to get up to speed.
Teach yourself to code and learn as much as you can about computers. Work on projects that are important to you.
Learn as many programming languages as you can. Teach yourself if you have to.
Always be willing to learn new things. Learn to solve problems, think on your feet and drive creativity into challenges. Creativity is about more than just self-expression -- that's important, but it can be targeted into everything. It's a way of approaching the obstacles and opportunities in life and viewing them in a problem-solving manner. It's a muscle that can and must be exercised.
College Students
Everyone
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.