Games
Lead games designer
Also known as: Creative director, Game designer, Game developer, Game director, Gameplay designer, Lead level designer, Principal game designer
What does a lead games designer do?
Lead games designers are responsible for how a game looks and what it’s like to play. They work with a small team figuring out the characters and props and what’s going to happen. Then they share those ideas with the rest of the team.
Once a game is being made, they make sure deadlines and budgets are met. They are the ones that decide if changes need to be made.
In smaller studios, they might do a wide variety of jobs too – the art, programming and marketing. But in large studios they would have writers, lead animators, creative directors and gameplay designers to help.
Watch and read
- Game designer
- Careers in video games: lead level designer
- Careers in video games: principal game designer
- Careers in video games: game director
What’s a lead games designer good at?
- Knowledge of gameplay: imagine the best gameplay or game mechanics for the experience
- Knowledge of game engines: understand games engines and their abilities and limitations, have some programming skills and knowledge of UX and UI
- Communication: share the vision of the game with artists, programmers, producers and marketing staff, be persuasive with publishers
- Knowledge of the games market: aware of industry trends, able to explain the game within that context
- Project management: plan the creative production of the game
Who does a lead games designer work with?
Lead games designers work with artists, programmers, producers, marketing staff and publishers.
How do I become a lead games designer?
Lead games designers comes through a variety or routes. Some come from QA, some from 3D modelling, some from programming. Look at our QA tester job profile, generalist programmer job profile and 3D modelling artist job profile for details of how to get into the industry through these routes.
At school or college:
This is a role where both art and science are useful. If you want to go to university, take A-levels or Highers in art and design, graphic design, graphic communication, maths, physics, media or computer science. Or you might want to take a level 3 vocational qualification in one of those subjects. Look at what your local college offers such as:
- OCR Technical Diploma in Digital Media (Moving Image and Audio Production)
- UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology
- T Level Media, Broadcast and Production
- UAL Applied General Diploma in Art and Design
- UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Art and Design
- OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma in Art and Design (3D Design)
- OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma in Art and Design (Graphic Design)
- OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma in Art and Design (Photography)
- T Level Craft and Design
- T Level Digital Software Development
Get a degree:
Most people in the games industry have a degree, so you can think about getting one related to games. You could get one related to computer science, art, graphic design, programming or 3D computer modelling. Have a look at ScreenSkills’ list of recommended courses and select one in games. We endorse courses when they offer training in the relevant software, dedicate time to building a portfolio and have strong links with the games industry.
Play games:
Play lots of different games. Think about how the game mechanics works.
Build a portfolio:
Create work that you can show off to employers. This is essential. Go to Build your games portfolio to learn how.
Start modding:
Create levels of a game using software provided by the publishers.
Search for jobs:
Getting a job in quality assurance (QA) as a games tester is a good way of getting to know the industry, learn the process of making games and build up contacts. If you do that, make sure you keep yourself skilled and keep making games so you can move into design. If you already have experience as a games programmer or artist, use the UK Games Map to find out if there are games companies near you. Then go to their websites directly and check out their open roles. Look for entry-level roles and get into the industry as a way into games design.
Meet people in the industry:
Go to ScreenSkills’ events, follow your local film office and any local community arts and media organisations and attend their events. Go to how to network well for some tips.
Network online:
Create a LinkedIn profile. See if there’s a Facebook page or other social media group for people making films or videos in your area. Join it and take part. Create a ScreenSkills profile.
Explore ScreenSkills Resources:
ScreenSkills careers information:
The your career hub has a wealth of resources designed to help you start or progress your career.
ScreenSkills e-learning:
ScreenSkills has a suite of free e-learning modules for those who are over 18 which can improve your knowledge. The ScreenSkills Passport modules also prepare you as they are essential for some production roles. Some modules are available for those under 18. For anyone wanting advice about first steps, the Getting into the screen industries modules are very useful.
ScreenSkills skills checklists:
If you would like more detail about the tasks, responsibilities and skills required for many key roles in film and TV drama, children’s TV and unscripted TV you can look at our skills checklists.
You might also be interested in…
Being a director, production designer or post-production supervisor in the film and TV drama industries. You might also be interested in being a visual effects (VFX) producer, VFX supervisor or look development artist in VFX. Alternatively, you could consider being a director, head of story or art director in the animation industry.
Further resources
- Into Games
- UKIE
- Snoman Gaming – Good Game Design
- Eurogamer
- Gamasutra
- GamesIndustry.biz
- ScreenSkills resources directory
