Computer & Mathematical
Video Game Designers
Also called: Design Director, Designer, Environmental Artist, Game Design Consultant
US median pay
$104,000
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+6%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
8,300
132,700 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Programming4.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.6/5
- Time Management3.4/5
- Systems Analysis3.4/5
- Systems Evaluation3.2/5
- Coordination3.1/5
- Technology Design3.0/5
Knowledge
- Design4.3/5
- Computers and Electronics4.2/5
- Communications and Media3.5/5
- Psychology3.3/5
- Mathematics3.3/5
- English Language3.2/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree55%
- High school diploma15%
- Associate's degree10%
Who this job suits
Mostly Artistic
Creating, designing and self-expression
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.