Video Game Designer - Career Profile

What does a Video Game Designer do? Where does a Video Game Designer work? ACR takes a look:

About Video Game Designers

Video game design is one of the most exciting careers in the world. For individuals with a passion for computer technology and interactive entertainment, video game design is a dream job, but even those with a slight interest in video games would jump at the opportunity to become a member of this fascinating industry.

Video game designers use a combination of technology, science, engineering, mathematics, design, and animation skills to create realistic action packed video games that sell in the millions of units around the world. In addition to entertainment, video game designers create interactive games for the education industry, advertising, and businesses. Video game designers are also fast becoming an important part of the mobile technology industry.

Video Game Designer Jobs

Video game designers perform a number of tasks as a part of the design process. They create storylines and characters, as well as role-play mechanics and gameplay prototypes. Video game designers collaborate with artists to fine tune the visual style for games, and they map out missions, puzzles, and other challenges for players to face during game play. Video game designers perform these tasks for video game publishers, software publishing firms, mobile technology companies, graphic design firms, and advertising firms, web design firms.

Video Game Designer Salaries

Video game designers earn one of the highest average annual salaries in the entertainment industry. However, individual salaries vary greatly depending on experience, education, area of expertise (video games, mobile technology, interactive games for education), and geographic location. Overall, video game designers can expect to an average of $77,010 per year.

Becoming a Video Game Designer

If you are interested in becoming a video game designer, there are several education paths to take. A computer science degree with a focus in computer graphics is one path or you can earn a degree in animation, game design, game art, game development, game programming, digital art with a concentration in game design, or even math with a game programming concentration.

In addition to a degree in any of the fields listed above, employers require a minimum of 2 years’ experience for intermediate positions. For upper level positions, employers might require an advanced degree, plus 3-5 years’ professional experience in the industry. For entry-level positions, a degree plus experience through an internship or other support position is acceptable.

Job Trends for Video Game Designers

Overall employment growth in the video game design industry is expected to average 13.1 percent for the 2008-2018 decade, but growth in some states might be higher than others. Six states account for around 74 percent of the video game industry. They are California (39.18 percent), Washington State (11.33 percent), Texas (9.2 percent), New York (6.36 percent), Massachusetts (4.29 percent), and Illinois (3.8 percent). Finding work in these states, specifically California and Washington, should be easy for both entry-level and advanced video game designers. For a variety of gaming companies, both big and small, explore Silicon Valley, Seattle, and the San Francisco Bay area.