Video Game Designers
Can you find even a single person in this world who has never played a video game, even once in their life? Certainly not — video games are no longer, as they once were, something that requires a computer or a dedicated gaming console like an Xbox or PlayStation. They're now available on every mobile phone in people's hands. The video game industry has developed at an unprecedented pace in recent years, becoming a battleground for competition among the world's biggest companies. It's not just a tool for fun and entertainment — sure, it might be that for you and me, but in the world of business and trade, money calls the shots. Just imagine that in 2020, the global gaming market generated $159.3 billion in revenue. A single game like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare brought in more than a billion dollars in revenue that year alone. Global game development companies understand very well what they stand to gain from successfully creating and developing a standout game capable of drawing in millions of people worldwide, since that means billions of dollars in profit for years to come. But getting there certainly isn't easy — developing a video game is a bit like assembling a massive puzzle, where every single piece demands careful attention to detail. It all starts with an idea, which is then turned into a script and a storyboard — games of every kind start with an idea, then the concept and scenario are laid out, along with how the characters, levels, and challenges will look. After that comes execution — designing and programming everything related to it. And that, of course, is what drives companies to seek out those creative geniuses capable of doing all this, who in the industry are called "video game designers" — and they're the subject of our discussion today.
Meet the Writer: Waleed Abo Omiraa
What You'll Actually Do
The core tasks and responsibilities that fill a typical day.
- Review or evaluate competitive products, film, music, television, and other art forms to generate new game design ideas.
- Provide test specifications to quality assurance staff.
- 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.
- Create gameplay test plans for internal and external test groups.
- Provide feedback to designers and other colleagues regarding game design features.
- Balance and adjust gameplay experiences to ensure the critical and commercial success of the product.
- Write or supervise the writing of game text and dialogue.
- Solicit, obtain, and integrate feedback from design and technical staff into original game design.
- Provide feedback to production staff regarding technical game qualities or adherence to original design.
- 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.
- Prepare and revise initial game sketches using two- and three-dimensional graphical design software.
- Oversee gameplay testing to ensure intended gaming experience and game adherence to original vision.
- Guide design discussions between development teams.
- Devise missions, challenges, or puzzles to be encountered in game play.
- Develop and maintain design level documentation, including mechanics, guidelines, and mission outlines.
- Determine supplementary virtual features, such as currency, item catalog, menu design, and audio direction.
- Create gameplay prototypes for presentation to creative and technical staff and management.
- Create and manage documentation, production schedules, prototyping goals, and communication plans in collaboration with production staff.
- Consult with multiple stakeholders to define requirements and implement online features.
- Conduct regular design reviews throughout the game development process.
- Collaborate with artists to achieve appropriate visual style.
- Document all aspects of formal game design, using mock-up screenshots, sample menu layouts, gameplay flowcharts, and other graphical devices.
- Create core game features, including storylines, role-play mechanics, and character biographies for a new video game or game franchise.