Hiring Video Game Designers

What to Expect

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Via Wikipedia: The video game designer designs gameplay, conceiving and designing the rules and structure of a game. The lead designer coordinates the work of other designers, and ensures team communication, makes large design decisions, and presents design outside of the team.

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The game mechanics designer or systems designer designs and balances gameplay mechanics. The level designer is the person responsible for creating game environment, levels, and missions. The writer conceives a game’s narrative, dialogue, commentary, cutscene narrative, journals, video game packaging content, hint system, etc.

What to Pay

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The video game designer with an impressive portfolio of work should earn about $37.02 an hour¹.  That’s an hourly savings of $11.21 compared to the video game designer who is hired as a full-time employee with benefits².

¹Based on estimates for this occupation (via O*Net.)
²Based on a total compensation cost of 30.3% (via EBRI.)

External Resources:

1. Finding & Keeping Good Help for Your Entry-Wage Jobs
2. Hiring the Best
3. The Manager’s Pocket Guide to Interviewing and Hiring Top Performers