Video Game Designers

Description

Career Cluster:

Information Technology

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.

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Video Game Designers

Education

Required Level of Education

• Bachelor's Degree = 57.14%
• Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) = 19.05%
• Some College Courses = 9.52%
• Less than a High School Diploma = 4.76%
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree, but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master = 4.76%
• High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate) = 4.76%

Related Work Experience

• Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 42.86%
• Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 14.29%
• Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 14.29%
• Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years = 9.52%
• Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years = 9.52%
• None = 9.52%

On-Site or In-Plant Training

• None = 52.38%
• Up to and including 1 month = 23.81%
• Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 9.52%
• Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 9.52%
• Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 4.76%

On-the-Job Training

• None or short demonstration = 28.57%
• Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 19.05%
• Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month = 19.05%
• Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 14.29%
• Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 9.52%
• Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 9.52%

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Video Game Designers

Tasks

Core Tasks 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.
• Develop and maintain design level documentation, including mechanics, guidelines, and mission outlines.
• Create and manage documentation, production schedules, prototyping goals, and communication plans in collaboration with production staff.
• Present new game design concepts to management and technical colleagues, including artists, animators, and programmers.
• Conduct regular design reviews throughout the game development process.
• Solicit, obtain, and integrate feedback from design and technical staff into original game design.
• Document all aspects of formal game design, using mock-up screenshots, sample menu layouts, gameplay flowcharts, and other graphical devices.
• Provide feedback to production staff regarding technical game qualities or adherence to original design.
• Prepare two-dimensional concept layouts or three-dimensional mock-ups.
• Consult with multiple stakeholders to define requirements and implement online features.
• Oversee gameplay testing to ensure intended gaming experience and game adherence to original vision.
• 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.
• Create gameplay prototypes for presentation to creative and technical staff and management.
• Write or supervise the writing of game text and dialogue.
• Collaborate with artists to achieve appropriate visual style.
• Determine supplementary virtual features, such as currency, item catalog, menu design, and audio direction.
• Review or evaluate competitive products, film, music, television, and other art forms to generate new game design ideas.
• Prepare and revise initial game sketches using two- and three-dimensional graphical design software.

Supplemental Tasks Include:

• Provide test specifications to quality assurance staff.
• Create gameplay test plans for internal and external test groups.

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Video Game Designers

Special Requirements

 

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research.

Video Game Designers

Knowledge

%	Subject	Description
89.25	Computers and Electronics	Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
84.50	Design	Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
73.75	English Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
64.25	Communications and Media	Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
53.50	Psychology	Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
51.25	Mathematics	Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Video Game Designers

Skills

%	Subject	Description
75.00	Programming	Writing computer programs for various purposes.
68.75	Active Listening	Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
65.50	Reading Comprehension	Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
65.50	Complex Problem Solving	Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
65.50	Critical Thinking	Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
62.50	Time Management	Managing one's own time and the time of others.
62.50	Active Learning	Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
62.50	Judgment and Decision Making	Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
59.50	Systems Analysis	Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
59.50	Coordination	Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
59.50	Speaking	Talking to others to convey information effectively.
56.25	Monitoring	Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
56.25	Writing	Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
56.25	Systems Evaluation	Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
53.00	Social Perceptiveness	Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
53.00	Persuasion	Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
50.00	Operations Analysis	Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
50.00	Learning Strategies	Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Video Game Designers

Abilities

%	Subject	Description
75.00	Originality	The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
72.00	Near Vision	The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
72.00	Fluency of Ideas	The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
68.75	Oral Comprehension	The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
68.75	Written Comprehension	The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
68.75	Oral Expression	The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
68.75	Problem Sensitivity	The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
65.50	Deductive Reasoning	The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
62.50	Inductive Reasoning	The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
62.50	Information Ordering	The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
62.50	Written Expression	The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
62.50	Selective Attention	The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
59.50	Visualization	The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
56.25	Speech Recognition	The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
53.00	Speech Clarity	The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
50.00	Finger Dexterity	The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
50.00	Category Flexibility	The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
50.00	Visual Color Discrimination	The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Video Game Designers

Work Activities

%	Subject	Description
98.75	Thinking Creatively	Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
98.75	Interacting With Computers	Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
88.00	Making Decisions and Solving Problems	Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
83.75	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
79.75	Getting Information	Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
76.50	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
75.00	Documenting/Recording Information	Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
72.50	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
72.50	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
70.25	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
67.75	Analyzing Data or Information	Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
66.75	Processing Information	Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
66.75	Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others	Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
64.25	Developing and Building Teams	Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
63.75	Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others	Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
62.00	Developing Objectives and Strategies	Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
61.25	Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates	Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
58.25	Training and Teaching Others	Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
58.25	Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others	Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
58.25	Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People	Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
56.00	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.
53.50	Scheduling Work and Activities	Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
51.25	Provide Consultation and Advice to Others	Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Video Game Designers

Work Styles

%	Subject	Description
91.75	Innovation	Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
90.50	Initiative	Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
90.50	Attention to Detail	Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
87.00	Analytical Thinking	Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
87.00	Cooperation	Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
83.25	Persistence	Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
83.25	Adaptability/Flexibility	Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
79.75	Achievement/Effort	Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
79.75	Leadership	Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
78.50	Stress Tolerance	Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
77.50	Dependability	Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
71.50	Self Control	Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
64.25	Social Orientation	Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
63.00	Independence	Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
58.25	Concern for Others	Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
56.00	Integrity	Job requires being honest and ethical.

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Video Game Designers

Work Values

%	Subject	Description
83.33	Achievement	Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
83.33	Independence	Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
69.50	Working Conditions	Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
55.50	Recognition	Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Video Game Designers

Work Context

%	Subject	Description
99.00	Electronic Mail	How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
97.20	Indoors, Environmentally Controlled	How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
95.20	Face-to-Face Discussions	How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
94.20	Work With Work Group or Team	How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
93.40	Spend Time Sitting	How much does this job require sitting?
89.60	Contact With Others	How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
85.80	Level of Competition	To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
84.80	Freedom to Make Decisions	How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
83.00	Structured versus Unstructured Work	To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
72.00	Coordinate or Lead Others	How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
71.40	Time Pressure	How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
69.60	Responsibility for Outcomes and Results	How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
69.60	Telephone	How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
67.60	Frequency of Conflict Situations	How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
67.60	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate	How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
66.00	Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls	How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
65.80	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results	What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
61.00	Physical Proximity	To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
61.00	Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions	How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
59.00	Frequency of Decision Making	How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
54.00	Importance of Repeating Same Tasks	How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
49.60	Consequence of Error	How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable?

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Video Game Designers

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

• Overall Experience
  • A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
• Job Training
  • Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
• Examples
  • Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, sales managers, database administrators, teachers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.
• Education
  • Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Video Game Designers

Earnings Benefits*

Region	Entry Level	Median	Experienced
United States	$45,030.00	$83,410.00	$106,300.00
Virginia	$65,930.00	$98,920.00	$116,900.00
Region	Entry Level	Median	Experienced
Bay Consortium	$78,865.00	$99,250.00	$110,678.00
Capital Region Workforce Partnership	$56,013.00	$85,896.00	$95,608.00
Central VA/Region2000	No Data	No Data	No Data
Crater Area	$67,834.00	$87,955.00	$97,381.00
Greater Peninsula	$52,542.00	$76,643.00	$86,914.00
Hampton Roads	$62,366.00	$83,428.00	$93,003.00
New River/Mt. Rogers	$44,130.00	$77,078.00	$94,809.00
Northern Virginia and Alexandria/Arlington	$77,802.00	$108,929.00	$121,753.00
Piedmont Workforce	$61,877.00	$92,186.00	$103,361.00
Shenandoah Valley	$64,161.00	$84,476.00	$100,263.00
South Central	No Data	No Data	No Data
Southwestern Virginia	No Data	No Data	No Data
West Piedmont	No Data	No Data	No Data
Western Virginia	No Data	No Data	No Data

* Earnings Calculations:

 Regional Earnings:
   Entry = Annual mean of the lower 1/3 wage distribution;
   Experienced = Annual mean of the upper 2/3 wage distribution.

 National and State Earnings:
   Entry = Annual 10th percentile wage;
   Experienced = Annual 75th percentile wage.

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection.

Video Game Designers

Employment Projections

National	2012	2022	% Change
United States	205,800	213,600	+ 3.8%
State	2012	2022	% Change
Virginia	10,295	9,930	- 3.5%
Region	2012	2022	% Change
Bay Consortium	446	407	- 8.7%
Capital Region Workforce Partnership	0	0	+ 0.0%
Central VA/Region2000	0	0	+ 0.0%
Crater Area	348	326	- 6.3%
Greater Peninsula	678	664	- 2.1%
Hampton Roads	1,585	1,481	- 6.6%
New River/Mt. Rogers	0	0	+ 0.0%
Northern Virginia and Alexandria/Arlington	6,358	6,190	- 2.6%
Piedmont Workforce	0	0	+ 0.0%
Shenandoah Valley	193	182	- 5.7%
South Central	0	0	+ 0.0%
Southwestern Virginia	0	0	+ 0.0%
West Piedmont	0	0	+ 0.0%
Western Virginia	0	0	+ 0.0%

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection.

Video Game Designers

View Videos

The following videos are available for this occupation:

• Information Technology (5.14 Mb)



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The data sources for the information displayed here include: New York State Department of Labor; New Jersey Department of Labor; California Occupational Information Coordinating Committee.

Video Game Designers

Military Training

The following military job classifications are available for this occupation:

• Administration, General
• ADP Computers, General
• Combined Personnel and Administration, General
• Intercept Operators (Code and Non-Code)
• Not Occupationally Qualified, General

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: Defense Manpower Data Center.

Video Game Designers

Proficiency Ratings

These proficiencies are scored on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being not
important to the job and 5 being extremely important to the job.

Proficiency	Rating
Thinking Creatively	5.0
Interacting With Computers	5.0
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	4.5
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	4.5
Getting Information	4.0
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	4.0
Documenting/Recording Information	4.0
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	4.0
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	4.0
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	4.0
Analyzing Data or Information	3.5
Processing Information	3.5
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others	3.5
Developing and Building Teams	3.5
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others	3.5
Developing Objectives and Strategies	3.5
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates	3.5
Training and Teaching Others	3.5
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others	3.5
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People	3.5
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information	3.0
Scheduling Work and Activities	3.0
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others	3.0
Selling or Influencing Others	3.0
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	3.0
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment	3.0
Coaching and Developing Others	3.0
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization	2.5
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards	2.5
Staffing Organizational Units	2.0
Performing Administrative Activities	2.0
Monitoring and Controlling Resources	2.0
Assisting and Caring for Others	2.0
Controlling Machines and Processes	2.0
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public	1.5
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material	1.5
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment	1.5
Handling and Moving Objects	1.5
Performing General Physical Activities	1.0
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment	1.0
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment	1.0

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Video Game Designers

Titles

• Computer Game Designer
• Computer Video Game Designer
• Interactive Multimedia Designer
• Video Game Creator
• Video Game Designer
• Video Game Developer
• Video Game Engineer
• Video Game Maker
• Video Game Programer
• Video Game Programmer
• Videogame Designer

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Video Game Designers

Related Schools

There are no Related Schools at this time.

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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.