Imagine the possibility of enjoying yourself while also making a living. If you have a passion for games and gaming devices, a career in game design could be the perfect choice.
Game design merges artistry and games, enabling professionals to utilize various creative and technical skills every day. Whether it’s crafting captivating storylines or developing stunning visual effects, game enthusiasts can discover fulfillment and rewards through a career in game design.
Moreover, the gaming industry offers abundant opportunities beyond the conventional game design path. If you’re intrigued by the idea of earning money while playing a significant role in this competitive field, continue reading to explore the leading careers in video game design.
What Is Game Design?
Game design breathes life into games through the infusion of animation, sound, storytelling, and music. Essentially, game designers construct immersive worlds that take players on captivating journeys and keep them entertained.
This multidimensional discipline encompasses various elements such as audio engineering, artistry, and writing. In large game development teams, multiple game designers may specialize in each specific element, while smaller teams may rely on a single game designer to spearhead artistic production.
The daily responsibilities of a game designer can encompass:
- Pitching new game ideas to decision-makers
- Creating storyboards for game levels or overall gameplay
- Illustrating characters and developing their narratives
- Designing and enhancing game graphics
- Crafting music and sound elements for the game
- Collaborating with the development team to discuss progress
- Testing the final product alongside the development team
Game design is an exhilarating and ever-evolving field, yet it also presents challenges. Game designers must ensure that their creations continue to engage the fanbase for years to come, incorporating feedback from players. Additionally, they need to stay abreast of new techniques and tools as graphics, processes, and technology evolve, ensuring their skills remain sharp and current.
Game Design vs. Game Development
While game design and game development are closely related, they encompass distinct disciplines. Game design primarily involves the creative aspects of game development, concentrating on the artistry, sound, and storytelling elements. On the other hand, game development encompasses technical facets, such as coding that transforms a designer’s vision into a playable game and managing the overall development process.
When pursuing a degree for a career in game design, it often includes one or two courses in game development and programming. Similarly, game programming degrees may touch upon artistry and design. Consequently, game designers may also assume game development responsibilities, and vice versa, due to the overlap in skill sets and knowledge between the two fields.
Careers in Game Design
In the gaming industry, professionals have the opportunity to explore diverse career paths, including the following roles. The salary information provided below is derived from reputable sources such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Payscale, and Glassdoor.
Game Designer
Salary Range: Around $68,000 per year on average
Minimum Education Requirement: High school diploma, although a bachelor’s degree is often preferred
Job Description: Video game designers are responsible for managing a game’s rules, storylines, gameplay mechanics, world-building, and other essential elements. By utilizing their creative abilities, they develop captivating and enjoyable games. Proficiency in game programming and visual communication is crucial for this role.
Game Developer
Median Salary: Around $78,800 per year
Minimum Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree
Job Description: Game developers are responsible for coding and programming video games across different platforms such as computers, gaming systems, and mobile devices. They may also conduct game testing to identify and fix any issues. Proficiency in coding, system design, and collaboration within a team are essential skills for game developers. For further information, refer to our comprehensive guide on pursuing a career as a game developer.
Mobile App Designer
Median Salary: Around $66,000 per year
Minimum Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree
Job Description: Mobile app designers are responsible for crafting engaging stories and visual components for mobile applications and games. Some app designers work independently as freelancers, serving multiple clients, while others are employed by prominent technology companies. While some individuals may enter the field after completing coding or game design bootcamps, many employers prefer candidates with formal game design degrees.
Special Effects Artist
Median Salary: $98,950 per year
Minimum Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree
Job Description: Video game special effects artists enhance the visual experience of video games by integrating captivating effects and graphics. Their goal is to create a more realistic and immersive environment for players. They collaborate closely with other members of design and development teams, including storyboard artists and testers, to ensure that their artistic creations align with the game’s overall aesthetic, theme, and objectives.
Game Tester
Median Salary: Around $56,000 per year
Minimum Education Requirement: High school diploma
Job Description: Game testers are responsible for identifying and reporting errors and vulnerabilities in video games. They play a crucial role in providing feedback to developers and designers regarding the game’s playability and overall entertainment value. Individuals with extensive gaming experience can enter the field of game testing with a high school diploma. However, pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree in game design or development can enhance a candidate’s competitiveness in the job market.
Character Designer
Median Salary: Around $51,000 per year
Minimum Education Requirement: High school diploma
Job Description: Character designers collaborate with digital gaming and media production companies to develop and animate characters for various mediums, including games, television, and film. While a specific degree is not always required for this career, character designers typically possess several years of experience in character design or video game development.
Level Designer
Median Salary: Around $60,000 per year
Minimum Education Requirement: High school diploma
Job Description: Level designers are responsible for coordinating the setting, characters, storyline, and animations within video game levels. They collaborate closely with game developers and designers to refine the intricate details of each level. Employers generally value experience more than formal education when hiring for level design positions.
Game Writer
Median Salary: Around $54,000 per year
Minimum Education Requirement: High school diploma
Job Description: Video game writers are responsible for crafting engaging stories and dialogue that breathe life into a game. Having a background or education in game design can be beneficial for these professionals as it helps them understand the impact of effective dialogue, storytelling, and immersive graphics on the flow of the game.
Game Audio Engineer
Average Salary: Around $56,000 per year
Minimum Education Requirement: High school diploma, though an undergraduate degree is often preferred
Job Description: Audio engineers utilize sound equipment to generate new sounds and music that enrich game experiences, enhancing storylines, setting scenes, and evoking emotions. These professionals collaborate closely with game designers and developers to fine-tune the interaction of audio elements with the game. While a high school education may meet the minimum requirement, employers frequently favor candidates with higher-level degrees in game design, audio engineering, or a related field.
Multimedia Specialist
Average Salary: $54,000 per year
Minimum Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree
Job Description: Multimedia specialists possess expertise in various facets of multimedia, such as graphic design, audio, and writing. They may supervise large game design teams to ensure successful project completion or collaborate within smaller teams, actively participating in multiple stages of the game design process.
Professional Organizations for Game Design
Professional organizations provide avenues for learning, networking events, and industry research, enabling game designers to propel their careers forward. Explore the following options to chart your course in the field of game design
International Game Developers Association (IGDA)
The IGDA (International Game Developers Association) unites individuals engaged in the global game development industry. Through IGDA membership, individuals can engage in local chapter events and special interest groups, fostering networking opportunities and skill enhancement. Additionally, members gain exclusive benefits such as discounted access to the prestigious Game Developers Conference and access to cutting-edge tools and software used in the industry.
Entertainment Software Association (ESA)
ESA (Entertainment Software Association) primarily supports video game development companies and their workforce. It advocates for the video game industry by navigating regulatory frameworks and enforcing intellectual property laws. The membership roster of this organization includes renowned companies in the industry, such as Nintendo, Ubisoft, and Disney Interactive Studios.
Conclusion
Enter the dynamic world of game design, where passion meets opportunity. Discover diverse roles like game designers, developers, and writers. Professional organizations like IGDA and ESA offer support and networking to help you excel in this thriving industry. Unleash your creativity today!
