Video Game Design

Video Game Design Career Overview

Video game designers are the graphic artists and multimedia engineers who envision new video games and choose the mission, themes, and rules that bring these games to life. A designer's main goal is to make the game entertaining. They do this by working with artists, programmers, and musicians to develop new programs that can be played on an ever-expanding variety of platforms, including video consoles, mobile phones, and computers.

Professionals in the field must have extensive technical knowledge as well as a deep understanding of game theory, programming, visual arts, and multimedia design. They should expect to spend long hours in a fast-paced industry where staying up-to-date on the latest consumer trends and multimedia formatting is a requirement.

Video Game Design Training & Education

It can be very beneficial for aspiring video game designers to obtain at least a bachelor's degree in art, graphic design, or computer science. Some aspiring designers choose to obtain a master's degree in a related field or more advanced training in programming, prototyping, writing, or art. Many designers find that the most valuable training is actually hours upon hours of game play at home.

In addition to the extensive gaming experience and technical knowledge designers are required to have, employers also look for strong writing and communication skills and the ability to manage others.

Video Game Design Career & Salary Outlook

The overall job outlook for video game designers is expected to be favorable in the coming years as advancements in gaming and multimedia technology increase exponentially. Despite this, the large number of job applicants hoping to enter the field means competition can oftentimes be stiff for entry-level positions.

Salaries for video game designers vary widely depending on experience, job responsibilities, and overall design reputation. Earnings for those in the field range from $35,000 to $75,000 a year, with the top 10 percent of professionals earnings more than $113,830 a year.

Characteristics of a Successful Video Game Designer

In addition to simply having great gaming ideas, successful designers must be good at communicating and explaining their ideas to other members of the development team, while also persuading those who may not agree to see their point of view.

While programmers, artists, and musicians are responsible for individual parts of a video game, it is the designer's role to oversee the entire game playing experience. Consequently, designers can often be put in the role of referee between competing team members, and must be able to diffuse tense situations and settle disputes in a calm and effective manner.

Finally, video game designers must be able to handle disappointment. Sometimes a game that a designer has worked for months on will simply not make its way into production.

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