In every computer video game development studio, there are four main teams: design, artistic, programming, and testing. The design team writes the game concept, character interactions, and game play elements. The artistic team creates images and composes music and sound. The programming team plans and codes software. And the testing team finds errors in the game before it is published.

Game designers decide the mission, theme, and rules of play. Most development teams have a lead game designer, who is responsible for the overall concept and feel of the game. Level designers work with artists and programmers to lay out smaller sections of the game. Writer-designers write game text and dialog. Some also write manuals and hint books.

Designers test their ideas by writing short scripts and narratives and sketching rough storyboards. The storyboards describe the action of the game with a sequence of pictures. As their concepts solidify, designers supervise the production of working video game demonstrations.

After the designers decide on the game concept, they write a detailed plan, called a design document. This document lays out every aspect of the game. It includes maps of each game setting and flow charts to show how events in the game may unfold. Everything the player might see, do, or hear is described somewhere in this document.

Designers work with artists, programmers, and musicians throughout development. In fact, sometimes a designer is also the lead programmer, artist, or producer. But even if designers have other duties, their role is unique. They oversee the entire game experience, instead of concentrating on one element.

(Source: BLS)

Most computer video game designers earn a college degree, and the most common concentrations are English, art, and computer science. Communication is one of the designer’s most important skills. Creative writing, English, theater, and other liberal arts classes help many designers to strengthen those skills.

Designers have to be good managers. They lead the development team and make sure it implements the game concept. They incorporate many people’s ideas into a single product.

Designers need to understand computer programming and software design also, because designers have to be able to comprehend the technical hurdles that programmers face.

(Source: BLS)