Occupations · Computer and Mathematical

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.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 15-1255.01

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

Balance and adjust gameplay experiences to ensure the critical and commercial success of the product.
Devise missions, challenges, or puzzles to be encountered in game play.
Create core game features, including storylines, role-play mechanics, and character biographies for a new video game or game franchise.
Solicit, obtain, and integrate feedback from design and technical staff into original game design.
Conduct regular design reviews throughout the game development process.
Develop and maintain design level documentation, including mechanics, guidelines, and mission outlines.
Document all aspects of formal game design, using mock-up screenshots, sample menu layouts, gameplay flowcharts, and other graphical devices.
Provide feedback to designers and other colleagues regarding game design features.
Create and manage documentation, production schedules, prototyping goals, and communication plans in collaboration with production staff.
Provide feedback to production staff regarding technical game qualities or adherence to original design.
Create gameplay prototypes for presentation to creative and technical staff and management.
Guide design discussions between development teams.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Active Listening3.9

Reading Comprehension3.8

Critical Thinking3.8

Active Learning3.5

Writing3.2

Speaking3.1

Monitoring3.1

Mathematics2.9

Learning Strategies2.9

Science1.4

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Adobe After Effects●Adobe Creative Cloud software●Adobe Illustrator●Adobe Photoshop●Atlassian JIRA●C●C#●C++●Extensible markup language XML●Git●Hypertext markup language HTML●JavaScript●Linux●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft Outlook●Microsoft PowerPoint●Microsoft Project●Microsoft SQL Server●Microsoft Visio●Microsoft Visual Studio●Microsoft Windows●Microsoft Word●MySQL●Oracle Java●PHP●Perl●Python●

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

4 / 5Considerable preparation — a four-year degree plus several years in the field.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets−1.9 below average

Health and Safety of Other Workers−1.8 below average

Spend Time Sitting+1.7 above average

Exposed to Contaminants−1.7 below average

Spend Time Standing−1.6 below average

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General−1.3 below average

Spend Time Walking or Running−1.3 below average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2022-08

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Bachelor's Degree55%

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)15%

Less than a High School Diploma10%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)10%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2022-08

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Artistic6.4

Investigative4.2

Enterprising3.9

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Programming4.0

Complex Problem Solving3.6

Judgment and Decision Making3.6

Systems Analysis3.4

Time Management3.4

Systems Evaluation3.2

Coordination3.1

Technology Design3.0

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

DesignComputers and ElectronicsCommunications and MediaMathematicsPsychologyEnglish Language

Abilities it leans on

Fluency of IdeasWritten ComprehensionOriginalityNear VisionOral ComprehensionWritten Expression

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

DesignerGamemasterGame TesterGame MasterGame EngineerGame DesignerWorld DesignerConcept ArtistLevel DesignerGame DeveloperMotion DesignerContent CreatorDesign DirectorTechnical Artist

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2020

Comparing O*NET release 25.1 (2020-11-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 2 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.

Now listed 16

+Vulkan Graphics API+Microsoft Visual Studio+TypeScript+Adobe After Effects+Adobe Creative Cloud software+Git+C#+Perl+Microsoft Windows+PHP+Adobe ActionScript+Microsoft SQL Server+Adobe Illustrator+Adobe Photoshop

No longer listed 12

−PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor−Graphical user interfaces GUI−Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects−Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Suite−Practical extraction and reporting language Perl−Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop−Microsoft Visual C#−Adobe Systems Adobe After Effects−ActionScript−Adobe Systems Adobe Flash−Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator−Adobe Systems Adobe ActionScript

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

DesignerGamemasterGame TesterGame MasterLead DesignerGame DesignerGame EngineerLevel DesignerWorld DesignerGame DeveloperConcept ArtistMotion Designer

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
digital games designer	2166.7	exact
video designer	2166.14	close
gambling, betting, and lottery games designer	2166.9	broader

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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