{"schemaVersion":"1.0","exportedAt":"2026-05-15T12:40:47.287Z","occupation":{"soc":"15-1255.01","title":"Video Game Designers","group":"Computer & Mathematical","sector":"54","jobZone":4,"jobZoneInferred":false},"framework":{"version":"v.26.05","description":"","contextCovered":"This framework covers video game design practice from supervised entry-level contributions through executive creative leadership, spanning gameplay mechanics, documentation, balance, cross-functional collaboration, and strategic franchise direction within professional game development studios.","levels":{"emerging":{"label":"Emerging","statements":["Core game features such as basic storylines and character biographies — draft under direct supervision using established templates for an entry-level game design project.","Design level documentation including mechanics outlines and mission summaries — compile and format following team guidelines with close oversight from a senior designer.","Gameplay flowcharts and sample menu layouts — produce using graphics software under direction to support formal game design documentation.","Missions and puzzles for in-game scenarios — brainstorm and propose in supervised team sessions, applying foundational knowledge of role-play mechanics.","Feedback from design and technical staff — gather and log using project management tools during structured review meetings under senior guidance.","Gameplay balance issues — recognize and flag to lead designers during playtesting sessions on an assigned game module.","Programming concepts and object-oriented development tools — apply at a basic level under supervision to prototype simple game interactions.","Design review meetings — participate in by preparing written notes and mock-up screenshots using graphics software as directed by the team lead.","Game design ideas — communicate clearly in written reports and verbal team briefings, drawing on foundational knowledge of English language and communications media.","Version control and file versioning software — use under guidance to manage and submit design documents within a collaborative development environment."]},"developing":{"label":"Developing","statements":["Gameplay experiences for a defined game module — balance and adjust with reduced oversight by analyzing player feedback data and applying critical thinking within a mid-sized studio project.","Missions, challenges, and puzzles — devise independently for assigned game sections, ensuring alignment with the broader game narrative and mechanical framework.","Character biographies and role-play mechanics — develop routinely as part of a feature team, adapting established franchise conventions to new game contexts.","Feedback from design and technical colleagues — solicit, organize, and integrate into iterative design revisions across multiple development sprints.","Design level documentation including mechanics, guidelines, and mission outlines — maintain and update consistently throughout the development cycle using project management software.","Design review sessions for an assigned game feature — conduct on a regular cadence, preparing agendas and tracking action items to resolution.","Gameplay flowcharts and graphical design devices — create with proficiency in graphics and GUI development software to communicate design intent to cross-functional teams.","Constructive feedback on game design features — provide to junior designers and peers with social perceptiveness and clear oral expression during collaborative critique sessions.","Time and task priorities across concurrent design assignments — manage effectively using project management tools within an established studio production pipeline.","Systems analysis of game mechanics — perform to identify unintended interactions or balance gaps, proposing evidence-based solutions for lead designer review."]},"proficient":{"label":"Proficient","statements":["End-to-end game design for a full title or major franchise installment — lead autonomously, integrating storylines, mechanics, and character arcs into a coherent, commercially viable experience.","Complex gameplay balance problems spanning multiple interconnected systems — resolve independently through iterative playtesting, data analysis, and decisive design judgment.","Non-routine design challenges such as novel gameplay genres or adaptive difficulty systems — address by applying originality, deductive reasoning, and deep knowledge of player psychology.","Comprehensive formal game design documentation including mock-ups, flowcharts, and technical specifications — author and own across the full project lifecycle without supervisory review.","Cross-disciplinary design and technical staff feedback cycles — orchestrate and synthesize, ensuring design integrity is maintained from concept through final release.","Regular design reviews at the project level — facilitate with authority, evaluating creative and technical trade-offs and driving consensus among designers, engineers, and producers.","Advanced programming and component-oriented development tools — apply with fluency to prototype, test, and validate complex game systems within the studio's technical environment.","Design communication across written design briefs, spoken presentations, and visual documentation — deliver with persuasion and precision to stakeholders including producers and platform partners.","Emerging game design trends, technologies, and player behavior research — evaluate continuously through active learning to inform current and future project decisions.","Studio-wide design documentation standards and process guidelines — define, implement, and refine to ensure consistency and quality across all active game projects."]},"advanced":{"label":"Advanced","statements":["Strategic vision for game design philosophy across an entire studio or franchise portfolio — set and articulate, aligning creative direction with commercial objectives and organizational culture.","Gameplay balance and systems design methodologies — establish at an organizational scale, defining evaluation frameworks that teams apply consistently across multiple simultaneous titles.","Senior and mid-level game designers — mentor and develop through structured feedback, design critique sessions, and career growth planning within a large studio environment.","Complex creative and technical trade-off decisions affecting budget, schedule, and product quality — make with authority, leveraging deep judgment and cross-functional organizational influence.","Studio-level design review governance — lead by instituting review cadences, quality gates, and escalation protocols that govern the full game development lifecycle.","Cross-organizational feedback ecosystems involving design, engineering, marketing, and executive stakeholders — architect and steward to ensure iterative improvement across all product lines.","Innovative game concepts and genre-defining mechanics — champion by cultivating an organizational culture of intellectual curiosity, psychological insight, and player-centric design thinking.","Industry-wide design knowledge — contribute to through conference presentations, published design analyses, and participation in professional communities, elevating the organization's external reputation.","Enterprise-scale design toolchains including integrated development environments, database systems, and web platform technologies — evaluate and adopt strategically to increase team velocity and design quality.","Long-range game franchise and IP roadmaps — develop and own in collaboration with executive leadership, translating creative pillars into multi-year product and resource strategies."]}}},"sources":{"onet":"v30.2 (CC BY 4.0)","crosswalk":"https://skillscrosswalk.com","generator":"LER.me"},"attribution":"© EBSCOed"}