Video Game Designers
Video game designers create the core features, mechanics, and stories that form the foundation of video games. They develop game rules, character backgrounds, and narratives, then document their vision and work with production teams to bring it to life. Most work for game studios or entertainment companies.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against video game designers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week involves designing game mechanics and documenting how they function, sketching character concepts and story arcs, and attending meetings with programmers and artists to solve design problems. Designers might spend time playtesting to identify what works, revising documentation based on feedback, and researching how similar games handle comparable challenges.
Who this work suits
Holland code AIE. Artistic work is creating and designing, with room for self-expression. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely enjoy both creative problem-solving and systematic analysis—balancing artistic vision with investigative thinking about how systems work. You do well in this role if you're drawn to building worlds and characters while also staying grounded in the technical details of how games actually function.
What it takes
Preparation: Considerable preparation (most need a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience). Most people in this occupation hold a bachelor’s degree.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $91,600 | $136,110 | $191,960 | 27,090 |
| Washington | $75,570 | $130,480 | $170,400 | 11,580 |
| New York | $94,620 | $120,990 | $167,590 | 16,560 |
| Massachusetts | $86,420 | $113,540 | $157,510 | 2,740 |
| New Hampshire | $69,990 | $111,150 | $145,580 | 430 |
| District of Columbia | $85,040 | $107,650 | $136,480 | 480 |
| Rhode Island | $76,350 | $105,990 | $137,110 | 240 |
| Pennsylvania | $74,230 | $104,160 | $129,220 | 2,820 |
| Georgia | $81,950 | $103,810 | $142,110 | 2,800 |
| Texas | $78,480 | $102,650 | $138,430 | 5,910 |
| Oregon | $77,110 | $102,220 | $140,370 | 1,230 |
| Utah | $79,130 | $99,990 | $131,430 | 1,060 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Epic Games Game Design Professional Certificate — Epic Games
- Certified Associate: Game Developer — Unity Technologies
- Avid Certified User: Pro Tools for Game Audio — Avid Technology, Inc.
- Intuit Design for Delight Innovator Certification (ID-DIC) — Intuit, Inc.
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against video game designers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 15-1255.01 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.