{"id":3717,"date":"2024-10-17T09:00:04","date_gmt":"2024-10-17T16:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/?p=3717"},"modified":"2024-10-26T00:13:37","modified_gmt":"2024-10-26T07:13:37","slug":"video-game-designer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/video-game-designer\/","title":{"rendered":"Video Game Designer: Exploring Great Careers\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The immensely positive reception of the action RPG <em>Black Myth:<\/em> <em>Wukong <\/em>has the video game industry abuzz. Along with the <em>Silent Hill 2<\/em> remake on the horizon, it\u2019s a great time to be a video game designer.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For that reason, we\u2019ll explore the ins and outs of video game design jobs in today\u2019s article. You\u2019ll learn all about a game designer\u2019s role and responsibilities, as well as crucial technical and creative game design skills.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By the time you\u2019ve read this guide, you\u2019ll know whether a career in video game design is right for you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/game-7548774_640.png\" alt=\"An illustration of a purple joystick controller in front of a blue heartbeat line. \n\" class=\"wp-image-3718\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/game-7548774_640.png 640w, https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/game-7548774_640-300x180.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Do Video Game Designers Do?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your first question is likely, \u201cWhat do video game designers do?\u201d It\u2019s easy to say that a game designer aims to optimize game UX and <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/game-ui-design-leveling-up-your-ui\/\">game UI design<\/a>. While this is true, there\u2019s so much more that goes into bringing a game to life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A game designer is responsible for creating essential elements like characters, objectives, narratives, environments, visual designs, and game mechanics. Game designers also must strike the right balance between challenges and rewards to maintain player engagement.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As you can imagine, this creative process also involves building prototypes and collaborating with many different designers and software developers. Most importantly, however, a game designer must utilize their knowledge of design and <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/ux-storytelling-adding-a-human-touch\/\">storytelling<\/a> to create a fun user experience.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To bring such engaging gameplay experiences to life, game designers require both creative skills and technical skills, including the following:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The ability to develop engaging plots, characters, and levels (storytelling)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An understanding of <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/what-is-ux-design\/\">UX design<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An understanding of game design trends like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strong <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/what-is-graphic-design\/\">graphic design<\/a> and UI design skills\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An understanding of how video game development works\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Collaboration and communication\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Creativity and problem-solving\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Time management\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strong drawing skills, especially when it comes to illustrating game-level layouts and maps\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An ability to conduct market and <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/user-research-everything-you-must-know-about-acquiring-data\/\">user research<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An understanding of sound design\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A passion for games\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How To Become a Video Game Designer\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing what game designers do, it\u2019s not a stretch to say that game design is a highly competitive field. So, you\u2019ll need to know how to become a video game designer that stands out from the crowd. Below, you\u2019ll find the steps you need to take to achieve that goal.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Game-Level-Design-Example.jpg\" alt=\"A Page Flows screenshot of an example of game-level design within  Uncharted 4: A Thief\u2019s End from Main Leaf Games.\n\" class=\"wp-image-3719\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Game-Level-Design-Example.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Game-Level-Design-Example-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Game-Level-Design-Example-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Choosing the Right Subdiscipline\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Game design is a broad term for many disciplines within the gaming industry. In other words, it\u2019s best to look into game design subdisciplines to find out which ones suit your aspirations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s say you like the sound of designing specific levels or maps within a game. In this case, you\u2019re better off training\/studying to become a level designer. Alternatively, if you want to design a <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/game-hud\/\">game\u2019s HUD<\/a>, you\u2019ll find the role of a game UI designer appealing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use this time to explore the different disciplines within game design, researching their pros and cons as you go.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Revisiting Your Favorite Games\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Chances are that if you want to be a game designer, you\u2019re also an avid gamer. The thing is that when we play games, we\u2019re too busy having fun to think about the work behind them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, to prepare for your new role, we recommend replaying your favorite games. Think about what you like and dislike about the game\u2019s mechanics, levels, plots, and other core elements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You could start to think about the ways in which you\u2019d improve the parts of the game you don\u2019t like. This will help you adopt the mindset of a professional game designer.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-caleboquendo-3162044.jpg\" alt=\"A close-up of someone playing a Super Mario game on a dark blue Game Boy console. \n\" class=\"wp-image-3720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-caleboquendo-3162044.jpg 640w, https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-caleboquendo-3162044-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Studying the Basics\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing the necessary skills of a game designer is a great first step to becoming one. That said, there\u2019s more to game design that you should know, including game design principles.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These principles cover everything from rewards and challenges to defining what the player can and can\u2019t do. By studying game design principles, you\u2019ll always have access to the perfect guidance throughout your projects.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You also need to explore a variety of game mechanics, which are the rules that guide players through their games. Keep in mind that your game\u2019s mechanics should be consistent, original, intuitive, and fun.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On top of this, you must allocate some time to understand the intricacies and conventions of different game genres. This line of study will allow you to meet your target players\u2019 expectations, allowing for better gameplay experiences.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Acquiring a Formal Degree\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s worth mentioning that you don\u2019t strictly need to have attended a college program to become a game designer. That said, there are many employers out there who prefer applicants with a degree in game design. For that reason, we believe that looking into a game design degree is definitely worth your time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alternatively, you can also study for a degree in software engineering. Software engineering degree programs cover a variety of software designs, as well as software architecture, information systems, and UX\/UI. Put differently, a software engineering degree is perfect for an aspiring game designer.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tip<\/strong>: If you require a more accessible means of study, you can always enroll in a game design bootcamp. We recommend looking into Circuit Stream\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.circuitstream.com\/bootcamp\/game-design\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Game Design Bootcamp<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"498\" height=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Video-Game-Designer.png\" alt=\"A Page Flows screenshot of a game designer working on a design on their computer from St. Petersburg College Blogs. \" class=\"wp-image-3721\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Video-Game-Designer.png 498w, https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Video-Game-Designer-300x163.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 498px) 100vw, 498px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Gaining Practical Experience\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your next step is to put your knowledge into practice. The question is, how do you gain practical experience without prior employment? Thankfully, there are a few ways you can do this, including:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Applying to become a game tester\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Getting an internship at a video game studio\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Seeking out freelance work on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Participating in game jams\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Working on personal projects like designing indie games<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Making valuable connections with game design\/development communities like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seattleindies.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Seattle Indies<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. Building Your Portfolio\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s crucial that you compile the projects you work on into a professional portfolio. Your portfolio is a great opportunity to showcase your knowledge, skills, and overall value to your future clients.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Curate the best final outcomes from your projects and explain the rationale behind your design decisions. More often than not, the reasons behind your design decisions will stem from your knowledge of your ideal player base.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is great, too, because you will then be able to demonstrate your user-centricity and adaptability. Make sure to also use visual aids, like concept art and <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/what-is-a-wireframe-dive-into-ux-with-striking-examples\/\">wireframes<\/a>, to emphasize your dedication to the design process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t shy away from including any obstacles you had to deal with either, as your resolutions showcase your problem-solving prowess! Ultimately, with your portfolio, qualifications, passion, and skillsets, you\u2019ll have no problem garnering the attention of a hiring manager.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-pixabay-128867.jpg\" alt=\"A close-up of an uneven stack of silver and gold coins. \n\" class=\"wp-image-3722\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-pixabay-128867.jpg 640w, https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-pixabay-128867-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Exploring the Average Video Game Designer Salary\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you seek out any role, it\u2019s always best to know what salary you can expect to earn from it. That\u2019s why you\u2019ll find our breakdown of the average video game designer salary below.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Entry-Level Video Game Designer: $59,629\/year<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mid-Career Video Game Designer: $80,720\/year<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Senior-Level Video Game Designer: $98,551\/year<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Note<\/strong>: These figures come from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Video_Game_Designer\/Salary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Payscale<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>FAQs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1727269210702\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What skills are necessary to become a video game designer?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Below, you\u2019ll find some of the most important video game design skills that every game designer should have:\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Creativity\u00a0<br \/>&#8211; Communication\u00a0<br \/>&#8211; Time management\u00a0<br \/>&#8211; Problem-solving\u00a0<br \/>&#8211; Storytelling\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1727269231062\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Does game design require a knowledge of coding?\u00a0<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>It\u2019s game developers who require coding competencies to create a playable video game. Game <em>designers<\/em>, on the other hand, focus more on aspects like the game\u2019s characters, visual designs, objectives, rewards, and challenges.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1727269244710\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">How long does it take to create a video game?\u00a0<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The duration of the game design and development process will vary depending on the complexity of your video game. Designers typically spend two to five years creating a complex game.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Becoming a Video Game Designer: Use Page Flows To Enhance Your Skills\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You now know whether becoming a video game designer is right for you. Your next step is to refine the UX skills that will determine the playability of the games you design. Specifically, you need to master the art of intuitive navigation, which is something you\u2019ll need Page Flows for.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Page Flows is the go-to hub of inspirational user flows, which are the building blocks of effortless user navigation. We document nothing less than exceptional user flow examples, covering everything from onboarding to sending messages.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s more, our curations come from lucrative brands and industries that will never fail to inspire you. For example, as a video game designer, you\u2019d benefit from our Playhouse and Monument Valley flows.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ll give you the resources you need to create superior user experiences; you\u2019ll design products that your users\/players love. Together, we\u2019ll make your path to success much clearer. <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/\">Check out Page Flows today<\/a> to learn how to make your product\u2019s navigational structure an experience-enhancing asset!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The immensely positive reception of the action RPG Black Myth: Wukong has the video game industry abuzz. Along with the Silent Hill 2 remake on the horizon, it\u2019s a great time to be a video &#8230; <a title=\"Video Game Designer: Exploring Great Careers\u00a0\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/video-game-designer\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Video Game Designer: Exploring Great Careers\u00a0\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":3718,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[10],"class_list":["post-3717","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"authors":[{"term_id":10,"user_id":7,"is_guest":0,"slug":"page-flows-team","display_name":"Page Flows Team","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cropped-logo@2x.png","url2x":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cropped-logo@2x.png"},"author_category":"","first_name":"Page Flows","last_name":"Team","user_url":"","job_title":"","description":"The Page Flows Team is a collective of passionate UX design professionals dedicated to delivering insightful content on user experience and design principles. With diverse backgrounds and expertise, our contributing writers bring you the latest trends, tips, and research in the UX field. Each article is crafted with a focus on empathy, innovation, and a commitment to enhancing user interactions.\r\nOutside of writing, our team members draw inspiration from various pursuits such as outdoor activities, art, and continuous learning, fueling their creativity and drive to push the boundaries of UX design. The Page Flows Team is committed to providing valuable resources and engaging content to help you stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of user experience."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3717","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3717"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3717\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3725,"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3717\/revisions\/3725"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3718"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3717"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3717"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3717"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=3717"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}