Remember the sheer joy of childhood gaming? For many, those early experiences sparked a dream: to be the creator behind the screen, designing worlds and experiences for others. You might be harboring that same aspiration, picturing yourself crafting the next hit game. But a big question looms: is game design a competitive career path?
If you’re contemplating diving into the world of video game development and specifically game design, you’re likely wondering where to start and how to make your mark. This guide is designed to provide valuable insights into how to successfully launch your dream career as a video game designer, even without a specific degree or formal certification.
Before we delve deeper, it’s important to understand that this isn’t just theoretical advice. It’s rooted in over two decades of hands-on experience in the game industry, working with renowned studios like Blizzard, Riot Games, and Moon Studios. The strategies outlined here have proven effective for numerous aspiring designers and can work for you too, provided you’re ready to dedicate effort and passion.
For ongoing guidance and support as you navigate your career journey, consider joining the #career-guidance channel within the Funsmith Club Discord. It’s a vibrant community where you can connect with game developers at all levels, including myself, to get personalized advice on:
- Breaking into the game industry
- Crafting compelling resumes and CVs
- Building a standout portfolio
- Excelling in design skill tests and interviews
- Negotiating job offers
- Advancing your career path
You can also stay updated on the latest game design job listings and receive actionable career tips by subscribing for notifications:
Ready to explore the realities of a game design career? Let’s dive right in.
It’s no secret: the video game industry is fiercely competitive. There are no guarantees of breaking in, even with substantial investments in education. In fact, competition for game design roles has intensified to the point where a single job advertisement can attract upwards of 2,000 applications!
Imagine a hiring manager sifting through thousands of resumes – a process that could take weeks. So, how can you increase your chances of success in such a crowded and competitive landscape?
This guide offers an insider’s perspective on what it truly takes to secure a well-paying job in the video game industry. You’ll discover proven strategies for outshining countless other applicants, some of whom might seem more qualified on paper. Think of it as gaining access to a ‘cheat code’ for your career aspirations.
You’ll soon realize that overcoming the odds is more attainable than you might think, especially when you apply effective self-marketing principles. These strategies, surprisingly unknown to many applicants, can provide you with a significant advantage.
It might seem improbable that you can break into the industry without years of formal training or extensive experience. However, my own journey, along with the success stories of numerous designers I know, serves as proof that it’s absolutely possible.
So, take a moment to focus and absorb the information on this page. It could be the key to achieving your dream of earning a comfortable living doing what you genuinely love.
The Misconception About Game Design: What It Really Is
Let’s address a fundamental misunderstanding that many have about pursuing game design as a career – not truly grasping what “game design” actually entails!
When I mention I’m a game designer, the common assumption is that I create the visual artwork for games. And when I clarify that art isn’t my domain, the next guess is often programming.
While programming is undoubtedly crucial to game development, it’s not the core of game design. In my experience, a game designer is someone who possesses a deep understanding of the elements that make games engaging, fun, and captivating. It’s more than just brainstorming fun game ideas. It’s about understanding player psychology, motivations, and emotional responses within the gaming context.
A game designer needs to understand how to:
- Motivate players to take specific actions within the game.
- Evoke strong emotions and create impactful experiences.
- Design challenges that are both engaging and rewarding, fostering player investment.
This clarification should be encouraging because it highlights that you don’t need to be an expert programmer to excel as a game designer. While coding skills can be beneficial, they are certainly not mandatory. I’ve collaborated with many exceptionally talented designers who’ve never written a single line of code.
Interestingly, game studios often have an abundance of skilled programmers. The real demand lies in finding talented game designers. Why? Because good game designers are a rarer commodity. Unlike programming, game design isn’t as widely taught through standardized educational paths, and top-tier designers are often already employed or working independently.
This means that once you master the fundamental skills of game design (which, again, doesn’t necessarily require a university degree) and effectively showcase these skills in your game design portfolio (more on portfolio building later), landing a job at your dream studio becomes significantly more achievable.
Keep in mind that your initial roles will likely be entry-level game design positions, such as:
- Junior Game Designer
- Assistant Game Designer
- Associate Game Designer
- Game Design Intern
These entry-level roles are designed for individuals who are starting their careers. Hiring managers primarily focus on assessing your aptitude, cultural fit, and growth potential rather than expecting extensive prior experience.
Is Game Design the Right Career Path For You?
In a AAA game studio setting, a game designer’s primary responsibility is to be the “Keeper of Fun.” Your core task revolves around problem-solving and enhancing the player’s overall enjoyment of the game experience.
Let’s illustrate this with a real-world example from my time at Riot Games:
I was assigned the task of revitalizing the League of Legends character, Xerath. While Xerath was statistically powerful (boasting a 55% win rate), he was also one of the least played champions in the game.
The challenge was to understand the reasons behind this low play rate and then implement changes to his abilities and stats to increase his popularity without disrupting his balance.
Character design iterations are a key part of a game designer’s role, constantly seeking to improve player engagement and enjoyment.
My approach began with immersing myself in the player experience. I played over 100 games as Xerath, meticulously noting down aspects I enjoyed and areas that felt lacking. I then broadened my research by seeking feedback from colleagues and the wider League of Legends player community on forums, gathering diverse perspectives on their experiences with Xerath. Finally, I analyzed my findings and collaborated with teammates to brainstorm and decide on specific changes aimed at making Xerath more enjoyable for a broader player base.
The outcome was significant. Xerath’s win rate shifted from 55% to a more balanced 50%. Simultaneously, his pick rate saw a dramatic increase, expanding beyond low and mid-skill players to even being chosen in professional play by the world’s top players.
In essence, the redesign made Xerath more balanced, more competitively viable, and, most importantly, more fun for a larger segment of the player community. The player feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and my supervisors were highly satisfied with the results.
Does this kind of problem-solving and player-centric design resonate with you? If so, a career in game design could be an excellent fit.
It’s important to be transparent: game design isn’t always easy. It can be demanding, particularly during “crunch time” leading up to game releases.
However, personally, I feel immense gratitude every day because I get to pursue my passion as a profession. I’m surrounded by friends who are dissatisfied with their jobs or uncertain about their career paths, making me appreciate the privilege of getting paid to design and play video games.
This is the motivation behind this guide: Being a game designer has brought immense fulfillment and joy to my life, and I’m committed to supporting and guiding the next generation of aspiring game designers.
Accelerating Your Path to Success in Game Design
My journey in game design has been filled with invaluable lessons, often learned through the challenging process of trial and error.
In fact, early in my career, I dedicated two years to developing a game project that ultimately didn’t succeed. This game, titled Graal New World, was envisioned as a multiplayer experience inspired by the Zelda series. However, I significantly overscoped the project, attempting to create too much content too quickly, which led to abandoning the entire project.
The experience was disheartening, but it yielded crucial insights. I applied these hard-earned lessons to subsequent game projects, many of which went on to become bestsellers with player communities numbering in the hundreds of millions.
My aim is to help you avoid common pitfalls that I and many others have encountered. Your time is precious, and I want to equip you with the knowledge to achieve your career aspirations efficiently and effectively.
Now, let’s address a prevalent question from individuals considering a career in game design:
Is a Game Design or Development Degree Necessary?
The straightforward answer: A strong portfolio can often outweigh the absence of a degree. A compelling portfolio can get you hired.
Conversely, possessing a degree, even from a prestigious program, without a portfolio, is unlikely to lead to employment.
Let’s examine some data to provide further context.
Numerous institutions now offer Bachelor’s degrees in game design and game development. These programs can be a significant financial investment, with tuition costs reaching $83,500 for an undergraduate degree and an additional $31,880 for a graduate degree. Financing this through student loans can result in debt repayment for 15-20 years of your life.
Initially, I believed these specialized game design degrees were advantageous. However, my perspective shifted after joining Blizzard. I observed that hiring managers didn’t prioritize candidates solely based on expensive game degrees!
From a hiring manager’s viewpoint, a game design or development degree doesn’t guarantee a candidate’s ability to create commercially successful video games. It primarily indicates that the applicant has completed coursework and paid tuition.
Instead, hiring managers prioritize other, more demonstrative qualifications during the screening process, which I’ll elaborate on shortly.
The core takeaway is this: A specialized degree is not a prerequisite for a game design career. While a game design degree won’t necessarily hinder your job prospects, it doesn’t guarantee employment either.
Consider this: I myself never pursued a degree in game design or development, and the vast majority of professional designers I’ve worked with also lack such degrees.
In fact, some of the most influential and talented game designers I know either never attended college or dropped out. You’re likely familiar with their games:
- Geoff Goodman, Lead Hero Designer of Overwatch – Did not attend college.
- Gabe Newell, Co-founder of Valve (Dota 2, Steam) – College dropout.
- American McGee, Creator of Doom 2, Quake 2 – High school dropout.
- Eric Barone, Creator of Stardew Valley – Created a top-selling indie game while in college.
- And the list goes on…
A crucial realization about the higher education system, particularly in the USA, is that it often operates as a for-profit business. This business model prioritizes revenue generation, often through high tuition fees and offering degrees in “trending” career fields. Currently, video game design and development are highly popular due to the industry’s rapid growth.
It’s important to acknowledge that there are excellent game design programs available. In fact, some of my esteemed colleagues are professors in these very programs.
However, for every reputable program, there are many more subpar programs, often taught by instructors lacking practical industry experience. These programs often focus on regurgitating theoretical concepts from textbooks written by “armchair” game designers rather than practitioners with proven track records.
Hopefully, this provides reassurance if you lack the time or financial resources to pursue a game design or development degree.
What truly matters when seeking a job at a game studio is to:
Cultivate a Standout Portfolio to Showcase Your Skills
By now, it’s clear that hiring managers in game studios prioritize portfolios over degrees.
Why? Because while a degree or certification suggests potential knowledge of game design, a portfolio demonstrably proves your abilities.
In today’s landscape, traditional certifications and degrees carry less weight than in the past. Much of the knowledge acquired in a four-year college can now be accessed online, often at a fraction of the cost and at your own pace.
Remarkably, some of the most proficient programmers I know are self-taught, having acquired their skills through online resources and tutorials, bypassing formal computer science degrees.
Similarly, a musician friend of mine learned music production entirely through YouTube tutorials and dedicated practice. He built a portfolio of his best tracks in a mixtape and secured a record deal without any formal music education.
Why? Because he mastered production techniques relevant to current popular genres – skills that traditional music programs often struggle to keep pace with. You’re unlikely to learn cutting-edge EDM production in a conventional music class.
Of course, this principle doesn’t apply universally. You can’t become a doctor through online tutorials. However, in rapidly evolving fields like game design, self-directed learning and practical experience can be more valuable than traditional classroom education.
It’s essential to shift from passive learning to active doing. Take action now instead of solely focusing on accumulating theoretical knowledge.
Now, you might be wondering:
How to Start Building Your Game Design Portfolio?
Your portfolio doesn’t need to be elaborate to be effective. A simple yet impactful approach is to start a blog documenting your game design journey and thought processes. Content ideas include:
- Explorations of games you’ve played and analyzed.
- In-depth analyses of games you’ve completed.
- Case studies of game mechanics and combat systems.
- Reverse engineering of popular game designs.
- Examples of games you’ve designed yourself (even board or card games).
This is the path I initially took to establish my presence in the industry. Creating my blog was not only enjoyable and beneficial for my own learning, but it also created countless opportunities for industry professionals to discover my work and connect with me.
This is what I mean by “self-marketing.” Showcase your strengths – whether it’s in art direction, storytelling, mechanics design, or another area.
A hiring manager gains far more insight into your capabilities from reviewing your game design portfolio than from simply looking at your degree.
Even Greg Street, Head of Creative Development at Riot Games, has publicly emphasized the importance of portfolios:
The next strategy is arguably the most impactful way to “get your foot in the door” at your target studio.
It’s proven effective for me and many colleagues, offering a significant advantage over the competition, even against candidates with seemingly stronger qualifications.
The Power of Networking: Getting an Internal Advocate
It’s widely acknowledged that securing a job often hinges on who you know as much as what you know. We’ve all witnessed less qualified individuals get hired simply because they have internal connections or personal rapport with decision-makers.
If you’re not actively networking, it’s crucial to start immediately.
This is precisely how I landed my first role at Blizzard, even without prior industry experience.
Begin by engaging with gaming communities and connecting with “creators.”
“Creators” are individuals who actively contribute to the gaming ecosystem beyond simply playing. Examples include: fan website developers, mod creators, content creators offering game recommendations or patch suggestions, and fan artists.
- Participate in gaming forums like Reset Era.
- Join Facebook developer communities.
- Engage in game design and developer communities on Twitter.
- Join Discord servers of your favorite developers and game designers.
- Become involved with your local chapter of the IGDA (International Game Developers Association).
- Participate in game jams (platforms like itch.io/jams).
- Join our game design community, Funsmith Club (funsmith.club).
In today’s industry, it’s increasingly rare to secure a job at a dream studio solely through blind applications and resume submissions.
The more common and effective path involves connecting with studio employees through online communities and leveraging those connections to gain an “in.”
My own experience at Blizzard began when I met an employee while playing Starcraft. He invited me to beta test a new game they were developing. During the beta testing, I demonstrated game design aptitude, and he subsequently recommended me to the hiring manager.
The vast majority are game consumers, not creators. But it’s the creators who cultivate valuable industry connections.
So, actively participate in communities aligned with your passions. Contribute meaningfully and genuinely offer value. You might be surprised by the new opportunities that emerge.
Especially when combined with the next crucial element:
Sharpening Your Core Game Design Skills
Networking and portfolio building are essential, but they won’t guarantee success if your fundamental game design skills are lacking.
It’s a tough truth, but many aspiring designers, myself included at the start, aren’t initially proficient.
The good news is that there are common mistakes that novice designers make, and addressing these mistakes can dramatically improve the quality and fun factor of your games.
Fun games translate to successful games that studios want to invest in. Demonstrating your ability to create engaging and enjoyable game experiences makes you a desirable candidate.
It took me years to identify these common pitfalls, and I still observe them even among some experienced professionals. This is partly because game design is a relatively young field without a definitive “textbook” – further highlighting the limitations of relying solely on formal academic education.
Believe it or not, you don’t need to be the most inherently creative or intellectually gifted designer to have a stable career in the industry. You primarily need to avoid specific mistakes that can detract from the “fun” of a game and ultimately impact its commercial viability.
What are some of these critical mistakes?
The most prevalent mistake I see among new game designers is prioritizing their own personal preferences over the player experience. They design based on what they find fun, rather than focusing on what the target player base will enjoy.
Studios aren’t interested in what you personally find fun. They seek designers who understand how to create enjoyable experiences for the majority of players.
Discover How to Develop the Gameplay Design Skills Game Studios Actively Seek To…
- Receive more interview invitations & job offers.
- Replicate design decisions that make games genuinely fun.
- Accelerate your learning with mentorship guidance.
See All 7 Case Studies →
Another significant mistake in game design and development is lack of clarity in communicating game mechanics and information to the player at any given moment.
This might seem obvious, but it’s a major source of player frustration.
Again, this stems from being too self-focused in the design process, neglecting the player’s perspective.
While you might understand the intricacies of your game, your player might not, because the information isn’t being conveyed clearly and effectively.
I refer to this concept as “clarity,” and it’s arguably the single most crucial element in game design.
Without clarity, a game can feel “off” even if players can’t articulate exactly why.
If clarity is an area for improvement in your game designs, don’t be discouraged. Even seasoned professionals sometimes struggle with this!
Consider the comparison between Gearbox’s Battleborn (a moderately successful game) and Blizzard’s Overwatch (a AAA blockbuster):
Both games are in the same genre and share similar gameplay elements.
However, observe how the Battleborn screen is visually dense, with vibrant, oversaturated colors and numerous intensity indicators cluttering the UI.
Contrast this with Overwatch.
The visual focus is much clearer. In the example image, Zarya’s prominent laser, highlighted by bright light, immediately draws the player’s attention to the most significant threat. The visual cues are designed to guide the player’s focus effectively.
While both games exhibit high art quality, Overwatch prioritizes simplicity and clarity.
Is it coincidental that Battleborn now has a dwindling player base, with online play discontinued, while Overwatch boasts millions of active players and continues to thrive?
This concept of “artistic clarity” is just one of the three essential types of clarity that your game must incorporate to ensure player engagement and satisfaction, rather than confusion. It’s not about achieving Hollywood-level graphics; it’s about ensuring that the visuals effectively communicate the game’s information and action to the player.
Beyond clarity, there are six other critical elements that contribute to an optimal player experience in games.
It took me years to fully grasp these elements, and they are precisely what distinguishes AAA games from the rest.
You can explore these elements further here.
