Digital games designer
Also known as: digital games designers, digital game designer, video games designer, computer games designer, virtual games designer
About this occupation
Digital games designers develop the layout, logic, concept and gameplay of a digital game. They focus on playfield design, specification writing, and entry of numeric properties that balance and tune the gameplay.
Essential skills and knowledge
- use markup languages
- design process
- web programming
- analyse business requirements
- formulate game rules
- digital game creation systems
- design graphics
- digital game genres
- create software design
- manage online content
- task algorithmisation
- create digital game characters
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Web and Digital Interface Designers (O*NET 15-1255.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Identify problems uncovered by testing or customer feedback, and correct problems or refer problems to appropriate personnel for correction.
- Design, build, or maintain Web sites, using authoring or scripting languages, content creation tools, management tools, and digital media.
- Write supporting code for Web applications or Web sites.
- Perform Web site tests according to planned schedules, or after any Web site or product revision.
- Collaborate with web development professionals, such as front-end or back-end developers, to complete the full scope of Web development projects.
- Develop new visual design concepts and modify concepts based on stakeholder feedback.
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Investigative, Artistic, Conventional
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Active Listening, Active Learning, Complex Problem Solving
US median pay: US$104,000 a year (2025), 113,330 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (4.0)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.8)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Web Developers
- Web Administrators
- Software Developers
- Computer Programmers
- Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
- Database Administrators
- Database Architects
- Graphic Designers
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Video Game Designers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.