Common questions about game design jobs asked by our readers:
Game design jobs range from entry-level positions such as games tester to higher-level positions such as creative game director. Some of the most common roles include game designer, game developer, game programmer, game animator, game artist, level designer, game modeler, game audio engineer, and game marketer/PR.
While a degree in game design may not be required for some entry-level positions, most employers prefer to hire designers with a bachelor’s degree in game design or related field.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report salary information for game designers. The agency does report information for software developers. Salaries for the groups are similar. Software developers earn an average of $105,590 per year, with high performers averaging more than $166,960. Reported average salaries for game designers on websites such as Payscale, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter vary greatly. These sites report $63,346, $73,182, and $154,999 per year, respectively.
Business and management professionals in the games industry average $101,572 according to Gamasutra’s 2014 Game Developer Salary Survey. Salaries are likely higher today. Game audio engineers average $95,382 according to the survey and game programmers average $93,251. Game developers average $83,060, game designers average $73,864, and game artists average $74,349. Game animators average $72,520 (BLS 2018), and Creative Game Directors average $100,000 or more annually.
Business and management professionals in the games industry average $101,572 according to Gamasutra’s 2014 Game Developer Salary Survey. Salaries are likely higher today. Game audio engineers average $95,382 according to the survey and game programmers average $93,251. Game developers average $83,060, game designers average $73,864, and game artists average $74,349. Game animators average $72,520 (BLS 2018), and creative game directors average $100,000 or more annually. Individual salaries vary though—narrative copywriters based in California average $97,000 annually, while those based in DC average $84,150.
Starting salaries for video game designers really depend on the size of the company, location, experience, and many other factors. Some job sites report that starting salaries $40,000 or less, while others report $48,000 or more.
The game industry has experienced explosive growth over the years with studios and software publishers raking in billions of dollars in revenue each year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment in the software development, one of the fastest growing occupations in the world, is expected to increase by an impressive 24% for the 2016-2026 decade. This is much faster than average for all occupations. Currently there are more than 1.25 million salaried software developers, earning an average of $105,590 per year. High performers average $166,960 or more annually. Graduates of game design programs can expect similar earnings and job growth.
Employer’s prefer to hire designers with a degree in game design or similar area. While special effects is a similar area, it is not a requirement to become a game designer.
Game designer, game programmer, game developer and game artist are some of the most popular jobs in the game design industry. The pay for these positions is high and job stability is excellent. While it does not pay as much as game design or programming, another popular option is game tester.
There is no way to determine exactly how much freelance game designers make on average. Some freelance designers may work a few days a week depending on how many projects they can sign, while others may have more work than they can handle, leading to frequent seven-day work weeks. The parent industry for game design is software development. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that independent software developers average $271,150 annually. ZipRecruiter says that it sees annual salaries for independent game developers as high as $156,000 and as low as $18,500, with the majority of Freelance Game Developer salaries currently ranging between $64,000 (25th percentile) to $116,500 (75th percentile) across the United States. The average pay range for a Freelance Game Developer varies modestly (up to $52,500), which suggests there may be fewer opportunities for advancement based on skill level, but increased pay based on location and years of experience is still possible.
Game designers are responsible for the overall creative vision for the game. They create characters, settings, stories, props, and even the rules for games. However, because many game design curriculums teach game programming, production, and development, game designers may handle tasks in these areas as well.
According to AllArtSchools, game programmers take the design specifications of game designers, and integrate art and sound, translating it all into a playable game. Programmers map the terrain of the game environment, implement artificial intelligence for non-player characters, and connect player input via the controller to the events happening onscreen.
Game developers are software developers and engineers who code and program games. They may also be involved with conception and execution of game creation.
Game artists develop 2D and 3D characters, environments and graphics for video games. They create the art behind the games. Some game artists may create storyboards to present their ideas or they may have other duties such as concept development.
Game programmers typically work during regular business hours—so 40 hours a week. They may put in extra hours in the evenings and on weekends when a release deadline is nearing.
Game developers typically work during regular business hours—so 40 hours a week. They may put in extra hours in the evenings and on weekends when a release deadline is nearing.
Game artists typically work during regular business hours—so 40 hours a week. They may put in extra hours in the evenings and on weekends to meet deadlines.
Graduates of game design programs can expect similar earnings as software developers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that currently there are more than 1.25 million salaried software developers, earning an average of $105,590 per year. High performers average $166,960 or more annually. Note that individual salaries vary greatly based on experience, location, size of the company and other factors.
Graduates of game development programs can expect similar earnings as software developers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that currently there are more than 1.25 million salaried software developers, earning an average of $105,590 per year. High performers average $166,960 or more annually. Note that individual salaries vary greatly based on experience, location, size of the company and other factors.
Graduates of game programming programs can expect similar earnings as computer programmers or software developers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that currently there are more than 1.25 million salaried software developers, earning an average of $105,590 per year. High performers average $166,960 or more annually. Computer programmers average $84,280 annually, with high performers earning as much as $134,630 annually. Note that individual salaries vary greatly based on experience, location, size of the company and other factors.
According to Gamasutra’s 2014 Game Developer Salary Survey, game artists average $74,349 annually. The Bureau of Labor Statistic reports that artists and related workers average $65,390 and fine artists, including painters, illustrators, and sculptors average $49,380 annually.
Salaried game designers typically work in a studio or office environment with other designers, developers, programmers, and game artists.
Salaried game developers typically work in a studio or office environment with other developers, designers, programmers, and game artists.
Salaried game programmers typically work in a studio or office environment with other programmers, developers, designers, and game artists.
Salaried game programmers typically work in a studio or office environment with alongside other game artists, the lead artist, game designers, and other members of the team.
While the video game design is one of the most competitive careers, industry growth has led to more opportunities. Closely related to software developers, video game designers can expect a 24% increase in employment for the 2016-2026 decade. However, to compete, aspiring game designers should earn a degree in game design or other related area, develop a strong game design portfolio, complete an internship, and get involved in as many game design clubs and communities as possible.
Some of the top cities for game designers are San Francisco, Austin, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, New York City, Santa Monica, Bellevue, Irvine, and Portland.
Some of the top states for game designers are California, Texas, Washington, New York, and New Jersey.
In order, the top game development cities in the world are Tokyo, London, San Francisco, Austin, Montreal, Los Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto, Paris, Seoul, Kiev, Brisbane, Chicago, and Stockholm.
The top industry for game designers is of course, the video game industry. Game designers may also use their technical skills to work in software design, graphic art, electronic and print media, or web design.
While the video game design industry is the most popular industry for game designers, its parent industry, software development, pays the most, with independent software developers earning an annual mean wage of $271,150. The annual mean wage for software publishers in $117,270.
Start-ups come in all shapes and sizes. Many are carefully planned right down to the tiniest details, while others seem to pop up overnight. In other words, a right or wrong way to start a game design company might not exist. However, you’ll find no shortage of advice about what to do if you need a little direction. Here are a few takeaways that should help sum it up: (1) Plan your business (name, costs, target market), (2) Form a legal entity, (3) Register for taxes, (4) Open a business bank account, (5) Set up business accounting, (6) Obtain the necessary licenses and permits, (7) Obtain business insurance, (8) Define your brand, and (9) Establish a web presence.