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Video Game Designer Salary

Change Country United States » Job » Video Game Designer Overview » Video Game Designer Salary
Updated: 7 Jun 2013
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Video Game Designer 2013 Total Pay (?
XAll compensation data shown are gross, national 10th to 90th percentile ranges. Pay can vary greatly by location. To view local data, take the PayScale survey.
)
$31,446 - $100,806
(Median)
0
31K
43K
56K
75K
100K
MEDIAN: $55,729
10%
25%
50%
75%
90%

Video Game Designer Job Listings

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national salary data
National Salary Data

National Salary Data

 (?
XAll compensation data shown are gross, national 10th to 90th percentile ranges. Pay can vary greatly by location. To view local data, take the PayScale survey.
)
$0$50K$100K$150K
Salary$35,033 - $96,159  
   
Bonus$0.00 - $13,702  
Profit Sharing$0.17 - $50,507  
Total Pay (?
XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).
)
$31,446 - $100,806  
PayScale
Country: United States | Currency: USD | Updated: 7 Jun 2013 | Individuals Reporting: 181

Job Description for Video Game Designer

A video game designer envisions, plans, and creates multi-player games for the interactive entertainment industry. Communicate with engineers, programmers, and a team of artists to develop game features that retain players for long periods of time. They strive to extend the gaming experience by implementing score tracking methods and other ways to enhance competition among players. Video game designers usually work in an office, in a cubicle or an open office setting. They regularly use computers, specialized design software, and technologically advanced equipment.

Video game developers may work long hours to meet deadlines for clients. Work is both physical and mental, and technical ability is crucial for this career. A Bachelor’s degree in game design or a related field is preferable. However, video game designers with a proven portfolio of successful design work with high-quality products may be good candidates for some companies. Must have a strong understanding of statistics and mathematical skills to analyze data and player feedback. Effective written and verbal skills are necessary to illustrate game mechanics, features, diagrams, and prototypes in documentation.

May be hired by a large corporation, such as Electronic Arts, or a small, private company of developers. Must have a passion for playing video games and an understanding of interaction design principles and interrelated game systems. Video game designers must use their time efficiently, collaborate well with others in a team environment, and be self-motivated and detail-oriented in order to complete multiple tasks on tight deadlines. They may attend the annual Game Developers Conference, the largest meeting of video game designers in the world.
Video Game Designer Tasks
  • Conceptualize and implement game mechanics, animation, characters, narrative, assets, AI behaviors, text, and sound.
  • Assist in design of user interface screens, support screens, and game levels.
  • Drive game design through conceptualization, presentation, implementation, tuning, and release.
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Companies and Industries for Video Game Designer Salaries

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Salary Range

Popular Employers

Salary Range

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key statistics
Key Statistics for Video Game Designer Salaries and Jobs

Female
10%
female alumni
 
Male
90%
male alumni
Salary:$32,431 - $80,000 $44,779 - $72,665
Years of Experience
Less than 1 year
10%
1-4 years
50%
5-9 years
25%
10-19 years
12%
20 years or more
2%
Top Degrees

Salary Range

Most Common Health Benefits
medical benefits Medical: 81% dental benefits Dental: 72%
vision benefits Vision: 63% employee benefits None: 16%

alumni reports
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career path
Career Path for Video Game Designer Jobs

Common Past Jobs
Common Future Jobs

Video Game Designer

Salary Range

$31,446 - $100,806
payscale
3d Artist
$30,911 - $87,888
Software Engineer / Developer / Programmer
$41,998 - $95,831
Graphic Artist / Designer
$23,816 - $55,471
 
Common Future Jobs

Video Game Designer

Salary Range

$31,446 - $100,806
payscale
There is not enough data available to display this chart.
 

career path
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