The Job
This profession creates rich, exciting worlds that let players immerse themselves in alternate realities.
What is a video game designer?
A video game often begins with this long list, which is narrowed down by the team.
What are concepts?
Knowing C++, Python, or Java can help because they are examples of these.
What are programming languages?
This massively popular battle royale game features 100 players dropping onto an island, building structures, and fighting to be the last one standing.
What is Fortnite?
This iconic game stars two brothers who jump on Goombas and travel through pipes to save Princess Peach.
What is Super Mario Bros.?
These professionals often collaborate on storylines, graphics, mechanics, and character development.
Who are video game designers/developers?
A typical game takes about this long to make from start to finish.
What is about two years?
Although not required, this type of college degree can help someone enter the field.
What is a bachelor’s degree in computer science?
This open-world adventure game by Nintendo follows Link as he explores Hyrule and battles Calamity Ganon.
What is The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?
(or Tears of the Kingdom — either works depending on your preference)
In this arcade classic, you guide a yellow circle through a maze while avoiding colorful ghosts.
What is Pac-Man?
Instead of working alone, video game designers rely heavily on this ability to work well with others.
What is teamwork?
Final months of intense overtime leading up to a deadline are commonly referred to as this.
What is crunch time?
Besides coding, designers must understand this aspect of storytelling that involves player decisions and consequences.
What is role-play mechanics?
This life-simulation game lets players build homes, decorate islands, and interact with cute animal villagers.
What is Animal Crossing: New Horizons?
This fighting game franchise introduced characters like Ryu and Chun-Li and popularized special moves like the Hadouken.
What is Street Fighter?
Designers often need expertise in programming languages and this type of specialized software.
What is game-design software?
These testers are often the first step for people who want to work their way up to designer.
Who are quality assurance testers?
This skill involves imagining and building the rules for how the player interacts with the game world.
What is game mechanics design?
This online multiplayer game tasks players with completing spaceship tasks while trying to identify the hidden impostors.
What is Among Us?
In this space-themed arcade shooter, players control a triangular ship and blast floating rocks to survive.
What is Asteroids?
Even though crunch time can be stressful and long, designers still report high levels of this.
What is job satisfaction?
This collection of design samples and concepts can help aspiring designers get noticed by studios.
What is a portfolio?
Character development, worldbuilding, and narrative all fall under this broad creative skill set.
What is storytelling?
This fast-paced first-person shooter by Riot Games combines tactical gameplay with unique character abilities.
What is Valorant?
One of the earliest video games ever made, this simple game features two paddles and a bouncing ball.
What is Pong?