10 Essential Skills Every Video Game Designer Should Have

The video game industry is not just on the rise. It is booming. In 2020, the global market was valued at $167.5 billion. By 2027, prognostications indicate the market will swell to $291.2 billion. This growth can only mean one thing: opportunities for video game designers are multiplying.

There is a catch, though – this growth has also brought competition. Companies are not hiring just anyone who loves gaming. They are seeking to hire designers who possess the right balance of creative and technical skills to help shape the future of interactive entertainment.

If you want to stand out, I offer you these 10 skills I found to be essential for any video game designer to have in 2026.

• Systems Thinking

Video games are not just art or code; they are systems of play. Systems thinking will enable video game designers to balance mechanics, progression, and difficulty in a way that feels challenging yet fair.

Example: The open world of Elden Ring is a complex array of interlocking systems that combine combat, exploration, and storytelling. Without systems thinking, the Elden Ring could collapse under the weight of its own systems.

• Storytelling and Narrative Design

Unforgettable games deliver unforgettable stories. The storytelling may include the cinematic arcs of The Last of Us or the emergent storytelling of Minecraft; narrative design relies on how players will connect emotionally.

A competent video game designer understands how to:

• Create character arcs.
• Merge the story with gameplay mechanics.
• Create living worlds.

• Proficiency in Game Engines

Unreal Engine and Unity are industry standards. As of 2026, Unreal has had the most traction with AAA studios, while Unity remains available in the indie/mobile markets.

Stat to know: According to the International Game Developers Association, 85% of studios in 2024 reported that getting qualified design talent was difficult. Designers with experience in engines are instantly more employable.

• Collaboration and Communication

Designers are not working alone. Designers work with developers, artists, copywriters, and producers. You must be able to clearly pitch an idea to each team member, take feedback gracefully, and work collaboratively across the disciplines. You don’t have a choice in this matter.

Think of a designer as the conductor of an orchestra; if the conductor does not communicate with the musicians, then the musicians are going to make noise.

To understand how the industry landscape is changing read our comprehensive blog:

Why Learning Game Design Could Be Your Smartest Move in 2026

• User Experience (UX) Design

UX is about making games intuitive and simple to operate. Through play testing, a great video game designer understands how to evaluate player flows and remove friction to ensure the mechanics feel natural in the ways players play.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons has its UX nailed down with nice and comfy menus and controls. They feel cozy, rather than clunky.

• Technical Literacy

You don’t need to become a full-time programmer, but you should have a basic understanding of technology and programming. A designer should be aware of:

• Basic scripting (C#, C++, Python).
• How APIs interact with and utilize engines.
• A basic understanding of debugging and workflows of iterative design.

You are not taking the job from the developer; you are trying to speak their language and consider technical feasibility when designing.

• Creativity and Innovation

Now, this goes without saying, but in 2026, creativity means more than just cool ideas. It means:

• Designing new mechanics.
• Mixing genres in new ways.
• Using AI tools and recognizing that AI should enhance, not define, a creative idea.

A great example is the indie hit Undertale, which was not successful due to a massive graphics budget, but rather because of its playful design decisions and mechanics.

• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills

Game design is iterative. Designers are always asking questions like:

• Why is this level so hard?
• Why are players dropping off after Stage 2?
• Why does the boss feel it is unfair?

Strong analytical abilities support video game designers in diagnosing problems and facilitate real-time redesign.

Stat to remember: Fixing a bug after development costs 100x more than if you fix it up front; a designer who does test and analysis at the front end saves time and money on the back end for studios.

• Adaptability to Industry Trends

In 2026, AI is not a buzzword. It is woven into workflows. Designers need to understand how to use AI to:

• Create assets.
• Drive adaptive NPC behaviour.
• Enhance play-testing.

A great designer is one who quickly adapts to new tools while prioritizing the player’s experience.

• Portfolio Development

Finally (and most importantly), you must know how to show your work. Employers want to see what you are capable of building.

Your portfolio should include:

• 2-3 complete, playable projects.
• Documentation for explaining mechanics, goals, and design choices.
• Documentation of your iteration (showing that you tested and changed your design).

A great example was Nurul, a mid-career switcher we documented in our series on game design, where she tried to distinguish herself by cloning a familiar system (the cart from GrabFood). She documented the process. Her portfolio (not her resume) is what got her the position.

Career Options for Video Game Designers

So, what types of jobs could be on this list of skills? A video game designer has potential job titles which could also include:

• Game Designer – The core mechanics, levels, and systems.
• Narrative Designer – World building, dialogs, and story arcs.
• UX/UI Designer – User interfaces, accessibility, and player flows.
• Producer – Organizing, finding, and bringing a team of interdisciplinary skill sets together.
• Indie Creator – Doing it all and wearing many hats: design, publishing, and everything in-between.

Job Prospects – With the global gaming market projected to reach $291.2 billion by 2027, all studios of various sizes are hiring new and design-skilled talent upon graduating. Salary ranges will vary widely, but for instance, in the U.S., most game designers typically find positions between $85,000 and $120,000 per year, and senior positions are well over $ 100,000.

Your Final Thoughts

The video game industry is expanding, and interest in game design isn’t going anywhere soon. Game design is not just an interest, but a unique combination of your abilities, including creativity, technical literacy, and collaboration with others.

So, if you think you might want a future in gaming, now would be a great time to get started! Learn the fundamentals, play with some game engines, create a portfolio, and remember that the only way to practice game design is to practice play.