What degree do I need to become a video game designer?

A Bachelor of Design majoring in Media Design directly lists Computer Games Designer as a career outcome. A Bachelor of Communication majoring in Media Production is another strong route, with a dedicated Game Design paper built into the major.

Which major suits game design specifically?

Media Design gives you strong 2D and 3D animation, motion graphics, and visual design skills. If you're more interested in the technical, programming side of games, a Bachelor of Computer Science offers dedicated game development and graphics papers.

Do I need coding skills to become a game designer?

Not necessarily, since design-focused routes concentrate more on concept, visuals, and player experience. If you want to build and code your own games, Computer Science offers papers specifically in applied game development and graphics programming.

Is a design degree necessary, or can I focus on the technical side instead?

Not necessarily, since design-focused routes concentrate more on concept, visuals, and player experience. If you want to build and code your own games, Computer Science offers dedicated game development and graphics programming papers, including Applied Game Development, Graphics in Computer Games, and Advanced Graphics and Computer Games.

Can I study esports alongside game design?

Yes. Esports is available as a minor with a Design, Media and Production pathway, covering production and broadcasting alongside the training and performance side of gaming.

How long does it take to become a video game designer?

A Bachelor of Design or Bachelor of Communication both take three years of full-time study. Many designers also build a portfolio of game projects during their degree to show employers.

Video game designer career

Kaiwhakawhanake kēmu ataata

Video game designers plan and create the look, stories, characters and rules of electronic games for computers, mobiles and gaming consoles.

$50,000 – $150,000 per year

Game creator, gaming designer, gaming developer, game designer, level designer, game artist, game animator

Where our data comes from

What would you do as a Video game designer?

Video game designers

usually work regular business hours but may work extra hours
usually works in offices
need to be creative, methodical and communicate well

Tasks

design video game features
develop video game rules, characters and storylines
test and improve gameplay
write design and gameplay documents
test software performance
work with others on large projects
organise project data
adapt games to different consoles and devices

How can you become a Video game designer?

You need experience to become a video game designer and a qualification may be useful.

You need

experience in similar work

You may need

a bachelor's degree in multimedia computing, software engineering and computer science, graphics and design or similar area
an advanced certificate or diploma in multimedia computing, graphics and design or similar area

If you're in school

You usually need NCEA Level 3 to do the study or training for this job.

Study a Media Design major in our Bachelor of Design, which lists computer games designer among its career outcomes. Our design degrees combine design with computer science, so you'll learn to code as well as design, creating work for games, apps and virtual reality. In your final year, you'll work on a real-world project with the design industry and showcase your work at our Degree Show.

You can also build your storytelling and digital content skills through our Bachelor of Communication. Like all our undergraduate degrees, both include work-integrated learning.

Bachelor of Communication

3 years Hamilton

BDes

Bachelor of Design

3 years Hamilton

Video game designer FAQs

Scholarships

A range of scholarships are available to help with the cost of studying at Waikato. Options are available across a wide range of subjects and study levels, including scholarships for new students, current students and specific areas of study.

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Video game designer career