Video Game Designers
Information Technology · Information Support and Services
Pay and outlook shown for
New workers start near $59,300; experienced workers reach $165,320. About 330 people do this job in San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX.
Job outlook
Alamo region (San Antonio and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034; U.S. figures from the BLS.
- Employment change
- +18.8%
- Openings a year
- 49
- Employed in 2024
- 568
Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
Alamo Colleges programs that lead here
9 programs, with the college that teaches each.
Skills this career uses
The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.
- Programming3.9
- Active Listening3.9
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Complex Problem Solving3.9
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6
- Active Learning3.6
- Time Management3.5
What the work is
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.
- 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.
Education people in this job have
Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.
- High school or less25%
- Some college10%
- Associate degree10%
- Bachelor's degree55%
Job zone 4, considerable preparation: Usually a bachelor's degree, sometimes a strong associate plus experience.
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