Video Game Designers

What does a professional in this career do?

In this job you will...

• 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.
• Create gameplay prototypes for presentation to creative and technical staff and management.
• Guide design discussions between development teams.
• Oversee gameplay testing to ensure intended gaming experience and game adherence to original vision.
• Present new game design concepts to management and technical colleagues, including artists, animators, and programmers.
• Prepare two-dimensional concept layouts or three-dimensional mock-ups.
• 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.
• Review or evaluate competitive products, film, music, television, and other art forms to generate new game design ideas.
• Collaborate with artists to achieve appropriate visual style.
• Write or supervise the writing of game text and dialogue.
• Consult with multiple stakeholders to define requirements and implement online features.
• Determine supplementary virtual features, such as currency, item catalog, menu design, and audio direction.
• Prepare and revise initial game sketches using two- and three-dimensional graphical design software.
• Create gameplay test plans for internal and external test groups.
• Provide test specifications to quality assurance staff.