Video Game Designers
15-1255.01
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 of reported job titles: Design Director, Designer, Environmental Artist, Game Design Consultant, Game Designer, Gamemaster, Level Designer, World Designer
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Balance and adjust gameplay experiences to ensure the critical and commercial success of the product.
- Devise missions, challenges, or puzzles to be encountered in game play.
- Create core game features, including storylines, role-play mechanics, and character biographies for a new video game or game franchise.
- Solicit, obtain, and integrate feedback from design and technical staff into original game design.
- Conduct regular design reviews throughout the game development process.
- Develop and maintain design level documentation, including mechanics, guidelines, and mission outlines.
- Document all aspects of formal game design, using mock-up screenshots, sample menu layouts, gameplay flowcharts, and other graphical devices.
- Provide feedback to designers and other colleagues regarding game design features.
- Create and manage documentation, production schedules, prototyping goals, and communication plans in collaboration with production staff.
- Provide feedback to production staff regarding technical game qualities or adherence to original design.
- Create gameplay prototypes for presentation to creative and technical staff and management.
- Guide design discussions between development teams.
- Oversee gameplay testing to ensure intended gaming experience and game adherence to original vision.
- Present new game design concepts to management and technical colleagues, including artists, animators, and programmers.
- Prepare two-dimensional concept layouts or three-dimensional mock-ups.
- 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.
- Review or evaluate competitive products, film, music, television, and other art forms to generate new game design ideas.
- Collaborate with artists to achieve appropriate visual style.
- Write or supervise the writing of game text and dialogue.
- Consult with multiple stakeholders to define requirements and implement online features.
- Determine supplementary virtual features, such as currency, item catalog, menu design, and audio direction.
- Prepare and revise initial game sketches using two- and three-dimensional graphical design software.
- Create gameplay test plans for internal and external test groups.
- Provide test specifications to quality assurance staff.
Technology Skills
- Analytical or scientific software - Virtual Battlespace 2 VBS2
- Configuration management software - Perforce Helix software
- Data base management system software - MySQL π₯
- Data base user interface and query software - Blackboard software; Microsoft SQL Server π₯; Structured query language SQL π₯
- Development environment software - Adobe ActionScript; Autodesk Scaleform; C π₯; C for Graphics cg; Microsoft High Level Shader Language HLSL; Microsoft Visual Studio π₯; Scheme; Simple DirectMedia Layer SDL; Unity Technologies Unity
- Device drivers or system software - Microsoft DirectX
- Electronic mail software - Microsoft Outlook π₯
- Enterprise application integration software - Extensible markup language XML π₯
- Graphical user interface development software - Graphical user interface GUI design software; Microsoft Expression Blend
- Graphics or photo imaging software - 3D graphic design software; Adobe Creative Cloud software π₯; Adobe Illustrator π₯; Adobe Photoshop π₯; Autodesk Maya; Balsamiq Studios Balsamiq Mockups; OpenGL
- Metadata management software - Perforce software
- Object or component oriented development software - Advanced business application programming ABAP; C# π₯; C++ π₯; Lua; Objective C π₯; Oracle Java π₯; Perl π₯; Python π₯
-
Office suite software -
Microsoft Office software
- Operating system software - Job control language JCL; Linux π₯
- Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint π₯
- Process mapping and design software - Microsoft Visio π₯
- Project management software - Atlassian JIRA π₯; Microsoft Project π₯
-
Spreadsheet software -
Microsoft Excel
- Video creation and editing software - Adobe After Effects π₯; Autodesk 3ds Max; Sound development software
- Web platform development software - Hypertext markup language HTML π₯; JavaScript π₯; PHP π₯; Ruby on Rails π₯
- Word processing software - Microsoft Word π₯
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- 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.
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
- Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- 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.
- Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
- Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
- Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
- Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- 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.
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
- Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
- Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Communicating with People Outside the 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.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- 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.
- Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
- Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
- Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
- Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
- Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
- Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
- Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Detailed Work Activities
- Design video game features or details.
- Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.
- Test software performance.
- Document design or development procedures.
- Communicate project information to others.
- Manage information technology projects or system activities.
- Manage documentation to ensure organization or accuracy.
- Prepare graphics or other visual representations of information.
- Update knowledge about emerging industry or technology trends.
- Analyze market or customer related data.
- Supervise information technology personnel.
- Develop testing routines or procedures.