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Video Game Designers - 15-1255.01

O*NET-SOC Description

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.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Design Director
  • Designer
  • Environmental Artist
  • Game Design Consultant
  • Game Designer
  • Gamemaster
  • Level Designer
  • World Designer

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Balance and adjust gameplay experiences to ensure the critical and commercial success of the product.
  • Collaborate with artists to achieve appropriate visual style.
  • Conduct regular design reviews throughout the game development process.
  • Consult with multiple stakeholders to define requirements and implement online features.
  • Create and manage documentation, production schedules, prototyping goals, and communication plans in collaboration with production staff.
  • Create core game features, including storylines, role-play mechanics, and character biographies for a new video game or game franchise.
  • Create gameplay prototypes for presentation to creative and technical staff and management.
  • Create gameplay test plans for internal and external test groups.
  • Determine supplementary virtual features, such as currency, item catalog, menu design, and audio direction.
  • Develop and maintain design level documentation, including mechanics, guidelines, and mission outlines.
  • Devise missions, challenges, or puzzles to be encountered in game play.
  • Document all aspects of formal game design, using mock-up screenshots, sample menu layouts, gameplay flowcharts, and other graphical devices.
  • Guide design discussions between development teams.
  • 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.
  • Oversee gameplay testing to ensure intended gaming experience and game adherence to original vision.
  • Prepare and revise initial game sketches using two- and three-dimensional graphical design software.
  • Prepare two-dimensional concept layouts or three-dimensional mock-ups.
  • Present new game design concepts to management and technical colleagues, including artists, animators, and programmers.
  • Provide feedback to designers and other colleagues regarding game design features.
  • Provide feedback to production staff regarding technical game qualities or adherence to original design.
  • Provide test specifications to quality assurance staff.
  • Review or evaluate competitive products, film, music, television, and other art forms to generate new game design ideas.
  • Solicit, obtain, and integrate feedback from design and technical staff into original game design.
  • Write or supervise the writing of game text and dialogue.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Analyze market or customer related data.
  • Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.
  • Communicate project information to others.
  • Design video game features or details.
  • Develop testing routines or procedures.
  • Document design or development procedures.
  • Manage documentation to ensure organization or accuracy.
  • Manage information technology projects or system activities.
  • Prepare graphics or other visual representations of information.
  • Supervise information technology personnel.
  • Test software performance.
  • Update knowledge about emerging industry or technology trends.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Advanced Visual Information-Graphics Marine (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Combat Artist (Officer) (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Combat Graphics Specialist (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Content Developer (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Creative Director (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Motion Picture and Television Project Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Radio-Television Program Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Computer Programmer