Games have always been associated with fun - whether in school or on a computer. If playing feels so good, imagine how it must feel for the team that creates the game. They must love their jobs, right?
Let us dive in and learn more about game designers.
Who is a game designer?
A game designer is a professional who builds games, designing their systems, interfaces and software. They utilise their creativity to develop story concepts for upcoming games, building plots, characters and determining the themes of the games. They utilise specialised tools to create storyboards and document their ideas for reference. Additionally, some work in computer programming if they have the technical skills.
What are the roles and responsibilities of a game designer?
A game designer shapes the stories and ideas behind the game, apart from setting the rules and mechanics that keep the players engrossed in the game for hours. They also collaborate with programmers, artists, writers and sound designers to convert a game from concept to a complete product.
The crucial responsibilities are:
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Game development: They come up with the overall theme of the game, right from the plot and characters to the playing mechanics. This includes creating documentation for the game’s levels, rules and challenges. They also focus on introducing unique features as much as possible.
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Playing mechanics: They develop the key playing mechanics like combat systems, puzzles and character movement. They work on making the game challenging enough and design progression systems, including character advancement and rewards, in an interesting manner.
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Level design: They build layouts for each level, its associated map and the game environment. They also determine the kind of elements to add in each level - such as obstacles, rivals, rewards and other elements. They also adjust pacing to optimise the game speed. They tend to focus on worldbuilding and running the game at the right pace.
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UI/UX design: A part of their job is to concentrate on the interface of the game, including HUD elements, menus and interactive components. The goal is to make the navigation experience intuitive and user-friendly. This will increase the accessibility of the game and make more users stay.
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Prototyping and Testing: They build prototypes and mockups to evaluate their design ideas. Through playtesting sessions, they obtain feedback from users and analyse the responses to assess the game better. After that, they iteratively refine the game and its elements to enhance the user experience.
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Quality assurance: They play the game exhaustively to recognise bugs, issues and areas to be improved. Feedback during this testing phase helps in making the game a refined one to play.
What are the skills required to become a game designer?
They need a mix of creative, technical and interpersonal skills. Some essential skills are:
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Problem-solving skills
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Creativity
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Communication skills
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Level design
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System analysis
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Data-driven design
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Scripting basics
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Market research
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Visual communication
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3D art basics
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UI/UX design
What are the associated entrance exams?
Relevant bachelor’s degrees for this path are Game Design, Graphic Design or Computer Science. Associated entrance exams for these degrees at the undergraduate level include NID Entrance Test, MAAC Admissions Test and institute-specific design or animation tests.
At the postgraduate level, exams such as GATE, CEED or institute-specific PG design/animation tests may be required for programs like M.Des in Game Design, M.Sc in Game Technology or related fields.
If you plan to pursue your degree abroad, the SAT/ACT is required for undergraduate programs, while the GRE is required at the postgraduate level. You will also need to take IELTS/TOEFL at any study level, as these serve as proof of English proficiency required by universities.
Some colleges offering specialised programs in India include:
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National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
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Pearl Academy
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Unitedworld Institute of Design
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MIT Institute of Design
What is the growth trajectory in this field?
The growth in this field starts from the junior level and ends at the creative director level. The hierarchy is as follows:
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Junior Game Designer(0-3 years): They work under senior designers, contributing to system design, ideation and documentation. Focus is on learning and building a strong portfolio.
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Game Designer/Level Designer(3-5 years): They take responsibility for specific aspects of gameplay or levels, often supervising smaller teams.
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Senior Game Designer(5-8+ years): They set the game flow, goals and features. They are responsible for designing user journeys and interfaces by planning the game’s overall user experience.
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Creative Director/Game Director (7-10 years): They are responsible for the creativity, guidance and vision of the project. They play a crucial role in moulding the game concept, themes, style and mechanics.
As designers advance, they may also mentor juniors, influence company strategy or lead cross-functional projects.
What is the expected salary in this field?
An entry-level game designer can expect an annual salary of around INR 4 lakh, while it increases to INR 6-12 lakh as you progress, especially in major cities or larger studios. You can expect over INR 20 lakh as you advance to senior or lead designer roles. Currently, there are numerous opportunities in various game studios, both domestic and international.
In terms of USD, your starting pay will possibly be in the range of USD 66k annually. You can expect over USD 120k as you progress to senior roles.
Companies that commonly hire game designers include Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Epic Games, Naughty Dog, Nintendo and Valve Corporation.
Who are the top role models in this field?
The most notable personalities in this field are Mr Shigeru Miyamoto, Mr Hideo Kojima, Mr Sid Meier and Ms Amy Hennig. These designers have set benchmarks in creativity, storytelling and game innovation, inspiring new generations of game designers worldwide.
Being a game designer is both fascinating and challenging. It combines creativity, problem-solving, domain knowledge and collaboration and requires immense passion to create memorable experiences for players. It has clearly defined career paths, opportunities to work globally and the ability to define the future of entertainment. Aspiring designers can aim to create worlds that captivate players, encourage innovation and leave a legacy.
