- Training Video Game
The game designer is the craftsman of the video game
Missions
A true architect of the video game, the game designer is endowed with great rigour and a very fertile imagination.
Also known as “video game designers”, they work with a team to create a video game.
Action, sport, strategy or adventure, all types of games need a game designer capable of devising the rules to make them playable and fun.
The success of a video game depends on good gameplay. It is this playability that keeps the player hooked, and all the game designer’s know-how must be brought to bear to imagine and create an attractive game. This also involves creating a captivating story, the right balance of difficulty, a coherent universe, etc.
Game designers need to be creative, organised and agile. Once the project has been clearly defined, they will draw up a set of specifications that will serve as a guideline throughout the development phase. They have to stick to the schedule and be able to adapt the game to the technical and economic constraints that may arise at any time.
Skills and knowledge
Although the definition of a game designer’s speciality is “the design of gameplay mechanics and even level design”, they will also be involved in all the stages of creating a video game, from programming to concept art, including narration, animation and even sound design.
Their role is to maintain consistency between the initial intention and the final result.
Team spirit is an essential quality, because designing a video game is not a solitary task. It is produced in close collaboration with the Project Manager, level designers, character designers, 2D or 3D animators and other artists.
Rigour and general knowledge are prerequisites that should not be taken lightly. Details are very important. Nothing can be left to chance.
Mastery of programming and modelling software is an asset, but it is also essential to speak English, a universal language in the world of video games. Last but not least, you need to be extremely creative if you want to keep coming up with new games.
Salary
How much does a game designer earn?
On average, an entry-level game designer earns between €1,600 and €2,000 gross per month.
After a few years’ experience, a senior game designer can expect to earn a salary of €3,500 gross per month on average (depending on their status: freelance, studio, etc.).
Careers and career opportunities
After completing an artistic training course in video games and with your diploma in hand, some game designers go straight to work for a large studio, while others prefer smaller structures to give free rein to their creativity. The most motivated may also set up their own studio.
With sufficient experience, game designers can aspire to become video game design project managers. They will then have to manage an entire team.
There are plenty of video game enthusiasts who go into this field, but you should be aware that places are limited.
Note that there are real opportunities abroad for game designers who want to try the adventure of expatriation, provided, of course, that they are able to string together more than 3 words in English
