Game Design

Game design is only one part of the overall game’s development, but it is crucial as it contains the core ideas from which all other development stems from.

Game designers often start their career from the trenches – either from within the testing department or from being a programmer, artist or producer. Most game designers have bachelor’s degrees in English, art, computer science or programming.

Game Design Job Description

Those working in game design are usually the first people to work on the development of a video game, drafting the overarching concepts of the game and putting them down onto a design document. But the job also entails interaction and coordination with all the development team as the project grows.

The daily tasks in game design may include:

• Coordinating work of other game designers
• Documenting and updating all the concepts that go into the game on the design document
• Designing game play mechanics and rules
• Creating the story, plot, narrative, dialogue and marketing materials for the game
• Deciding which direction the game will take

Game Design Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, video game designers earn an annual median salary of $87,480, while the top 10% earn up to $132,080.

Employment within this industry is expected to increase by 32% from 2008-2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.