Summary Report for:
15-1199.11 - Video Game Designers
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.
This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.
Tasks | Education | Wages & Employment
Tasks
- Create core game features including storylines, role-play mechanics, and character biographies for a new video game or game franchise.
- Document all aspects of formal game design, using mock-up screenshots, sample menu layouts, gameplay flowcharts, and other graphical devices.
- 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 gameplay prototypes for presentation to creative and technical staff and management.
- 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.
Education
This occupation may require a background in the following science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational disciplines:
Wages & Employment Trends
National
Median wages data collected from Computer Occupations, All Other.
Employment data collected from Computer Occupations, All Other.
Industry data collected from Computer Occupations, All Other.
| Median wages (2011) | $38.43 hourly, $79,930 annual |
| Employment (2010) | 210,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2010-2020) | 
Slower than average (3% to 9%)
|
| Projected job openings (2010-2020) | 51,600 |
| Top industries (2010) |
State & National
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2011 wage data
and 2010-2020 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2010-2020). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.