How do you start a career in video game design?

Picture your dream job: what does it look like? Maybe you see yourself travelling the world as an air steward, or perhaps you fantasise about taste-testing chocolate samples for days on end (sign us up immediately). If you’re a tech or video game fiend, this title might be a contender for your ‘dream job’: video game designer.  

Any idea can be transformed into a playable concept; whether you’re inspired by your latest adventurous getaway or something as simple as your weekly grocery shop. If you have a passion for gamifying, a career in video game design could be right for you.  

Deakin University expert Stefan Greuter calls video game design a ‘rewarding and creatively fulfilling career’. 

Let’s explore how to become a video game designer. 

What do video game designers do?  

It sounds so simple, right? Come up with an idea and turn that idea into an engaging, fully-fledged video game. Easy!  

Well, it turns out that video game design is actually a complex and dynamic industry. A lot goes into the end-to-end production of your favourite video game – and there are many more cooks in the kitchen than you might think.  

So, it’s rare that a video game designer will create the entire game themselves from start to finish. Rather, as Greuter explains, there is typically a team of individuals behind a video game design, each with their own unique title and responsibilities.  

‘Video game designers are responsible for crafting the core gameplay experience, which includes developing game mechanics, rules, levels, and narratives that engage players, Greuter says. ‘While some roles are more generalist – particularly in smaller studios – there are many specialisations within the field, including level design, narrative design, systems design, user interface design, and combat or economy design.’ 

What video game designers do is collaborative work; you can expect to work alongside other types of game design specialists, as well as with people from other fields entirely.  

‘Designers work closely with artists, programmers, and sound designers to ensure a cohesive and enjoyable experience, often using prototyping, testing, and iteration to refine their ideas based on player feedback,’ Greuter says. 

How do you design a video game?  

The end goal isn’t necessarily the same for all video game designs.  

For some designers, it’s all about the visuals and artistic style. For others, the goal might be to create complex or challenging puzzles.  

Whatever type of game you’re working towards, though, Greuter says that how you design a video game almost always follows the same step-by-step process.  

‘[The idea] is developed into a game concept that outlines the core mechanics, target audience, and platform,’ says Greuter. ‘From there, designers create a game design document detailing gameplay systems, story, and user experience. Prototyping follows, allowing the team to test and refine ideas early. Once the concept is validated, production begins, involving level building, asset creation, coding, and sound design.’ 

There’s another important element of video game design that designers don’t always complete themselves: play-testing.  

Greuter says that play-testing (which is where a game is actually played to see if it’s working properly) is ‘crucial to identify issues and improve gameplay’.  

Some famous games like Minecraft and StarCraft II let a few lucky members of the public play-test their games before release to ensure everything is ready. 

How much do video game designers make?  

Greuter says that how much video game designers make really varies.  

‘Salaries for video game designers can vary widely depending on experience, location, and the size of the studio, with opportunities for growth as skills develop and responsibilities increase,’ he says.  

According to SEEK, the average wage for a video game design role is $95,000 per year, which isn’t far off the Australian average of approximately $98,000. 

While video game design isn’t featured on any lists of Australia’s highest paying jobs, there are plenty of reasons to become a video game designer besides the pay alone. 

Maybe it’s your passion for storytelling, your love for artistic expression, or your desire to use technical skills in coding or graphic design that drives you towards video game design.  

Or, perhaps you’re enticed by the irrefutable growth that the industry is expected experience in the next few years (more on this below). s  

Whatever your reason for joining the industry, the outlook is bright for a career in video game design! 

Are video game designers in demand?  

Video games have come a long, long way since the first one – called Tennis for Two – came out way back in 1958.  

As we’ve transitioned from arcades to consoles to smartphones, the industry has just kept on growing. In fact, forecasts project that the total market value of video games was a massive $187.7 billion USD in 2024.  

‘Forecasts estimate that the market will grow to $213.3 billion by 2027’, says Greuter. ‘Mobile gaming remains a significant contributor, accounting for approximately 49% of the total market revenue.’  

While these numbers might suggest that video game designers are in demand (after all, someone needs to design these money-spinning games), the industry has experienced some job loss, as evidenced by some heavy layoffs across the sector in 2024. 

That’s no cause for alarm, though, according to Greuter. It’s just a reminder to stay sharp and continue upskilling to remain inexpendable in an ever-changing industry. 

‘These developments suggest that while opportunities for video game designers are expanding globally, the profession also contends with periods of volatility, underscoring the importance of adaptability and continuous skill development in this dynamic field,’ he says. 

How to become a video game designer?  

Think you’ve got what it takes to become a video game designer?  Greuter explains how you can land these coveted roles.   

‘A career in video game design often begins with a strong interest in games and storytelling, followed by formal study in game design, interaction design, computer science or a related creative discipline,’ he says. ‘Many aspiring designers build portfolios by creating their own games or mods, participating in game jams, and collaborating on projects.’ 

If you’re thinking about a career in video game design, then you should also take note of what Greuter calls ‘key skills’ for the job, which include ‘creativity, systems thinking, problem-solving, communication, and an understanding of player experience.’  

It’s also handy to have a good grasp of scripting, level design, user interface principles, and an ability to work in multidisciplinary teams – so keep these essential skills in mind when you’re working your way towards your video game goals. 

As for that formal study Greuter mentioned earlier, there are several options you can choose from. ‘To become a game designer, students can pursue degrees in game design, interactive media, animation, computer science, or digital design, many of which are offered at Deakin University,’ he says. ‘These courses typically cover game theory, user experience, level design, programming, storytelling, and prototyping.’