Video Game Designers
Official O*NET title: Video Game Designers (15-1255.01)
Also called: game designer, level designer, design director, designer, environmental artist
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Determine supplementary virtual features
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing video game designers work
6 of 24 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Amber (some AI use) — 25%.
This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Determine supplementary virtual features (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Consult with multiple stakeholders to define requirements and put in place online features (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Collaborate with artists to achieve appropriate visual style (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Keep abreast of game design technology and techniques, industry trends, or audience interests, reactions, and needs by reviewing current literature, talking with colleagues, participating in educational programs, attending meetings or workshops, or participating in professional organizations or conferences (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Create and manage documentation, production schedules, prototyping goals, and communication plans in collaboration with production staff (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Develop and maintain design level documentation (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Balance and adjust gameplay experiences to make sure the critical and commercial success of the product (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Devise missions, challenges, or puzzles to be encountered in game play (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Create core game features (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Solicit, obtain, and integrate feedback from design and technical staff into original game design (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Conduct regular design reviews throughout the game development process (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Document all aspects of formal game design, using mock-up screenshots, sample menu layouts, gameplay flowcharts, and other graphical devices (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Provide feedback to designers and other colleagues regarding game design features (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Provide feedback to production staff regarding technical game qualities or adherence to original design (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Create gameplay prototypes for presentation to creative and technical staff and management (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Guide design discussions between development teams (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Oversee gameplay testing to make sure intended gaming experience and game adherence to original vision (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Present new game design concepts to management and technical colleagues (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Prepare two-dimensional concept layouts or three-dimensional mock-ups (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Review or evaluate competitive products, film, music, television, and other art forms to generate new game design ideas (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Write or supervise the writing of game text and dialogue (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Prepare and revise initial game sketches using two- and three-dimensional graphical design software (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Create gameplay test plans for internal and external test groups (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Provide test specifications to quality assurance staff (main task) — no recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Determine supplementary virtual features”. Try the prompt for: “Consult with multiple stakeholders to define requirements and put in place online features”.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and video game designers
Will AI replace video game designers?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 6 of the 24 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Amber rating (some AI use). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 18 of the 24 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which video game designer tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: determine supplementary virtual features; consult with multiple stakeholders to define requirements and put in place online features; collaborate with artists to achieve appropriate visual style.
Which video game designer tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: balance and adjust gameplay experiences to make sure the critical and commercial success of the product; devise missions, challenges, or puzzles to be encountered in game play; create core game features. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 87% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a video game designer start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.
See how this job ranks
Video Game Designers ranks #303 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #30 of 30 in Tech.
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