How to Become a Video Game Designer (7 Easy Steps)

Ever dream of creating the next hit video game? Or maybe building incredible worlds for players to lose themselves in? If you’re a game fanatic bursting with ideas, being a video game designer could be the perfect job!

The gaming world is massive and growing fast. The global game market raked in around $187.7 billion, and it’s expected to jump to $198 billion by 2027 [according to Newzoo, 2025].

We’re talking about over 3.42 billion gamers worldwide! Imagine making games for that many people!

So, how do you turn your passion for playing games into a career of building them? Let’s break it down.

1. Understand What a Game Designer Actually Does

Before you start, you should know what the job involves. A game designer is basically the head planner of a game.

They decide how it plays, what the rules are, who the characters are, and what the story is about.

Basically, here’s what game designers do:

• Brainstorming: They come up with game ideas, from the overall theme to what makes it fun.
• Rule-making: They decide how the game works – winning, losing, moving stuff, using items, all that.
• Level design: They plan out the game’s stages to keep them fun and not too easy.
• Storytelling: They write the story, the characters, and all the conversations.
• Testing: They play the game themselves or watch others play it, then fix anything that’s not working. They keep tweaking until it’s awesome.
• Teamwork: They chat with the artists, coders, and sound people to make sure everyone’s on the same page.

It takes both a creative mind and a sharp eye to get the details right.

2. Develop Key Skills

So, you want to design games? Cool! Here’s what you’ll likely need:

• Be Creative: Brainstorm like crazy: Get good at spitting out tons of ideas—the crazier, the better!
• Talk to People Clearly: You’ll be explaining stuff to lots of folks, so practice talking so people get it. You’ll also write game design documents (GDDs) which are like game blueprints. Make them easy to read.
• Be Smart About Games: Don’t just play, think: When gaming, ask yourself why it’s fun (or not). What’s working?
• Know Some Tech Stuff: Game engines are key: You don’t need to be a coding expert, though knowing how game engines work helps a lot. Unity and Unreal Engine are big, controlling around 51% of the market in 2024.
• Tell Great Stories: Stories matter.Got what it takes to make cool characters, worlds, and dialogue?
• Make it Fast: Prototype it. Build a quick, basic test version of your idea. This will help will tell you if it’s fun before you put in too much work.

3. Study Game Design At MAGES

Many people choose to study game design in school. This gives you a structured way to learn, meet people in the industry, and get hands-on practice.

Specialized Game Design Courses:

Some schools offer specific programs just for game design. These teach you all about how games are made, how to use game engines, and how to create your own games. 

For example, at MAGES Institute of Excellence, you can find programs like our Diploma in Game Design and Technology or even the Advanced Diploma in Game Design and Technology.

Related Courses:

MAGES also has programs like the 3D Modelling and Game Art Diploma and the Entertainment Design Diploma which teach you how to create the visuals for games.

There’s also the Diploma in XR Immersive and Advanced Diploma in Interactive Media and Production which focus on new interactive technologies, very important for future games.

Structured learning from experienced teachers, chances to meet people in the industry, access to professional tools, help in building your portfolio, and sometimes, help finding internships.

4. Build a Powerful Portfolio

Your portfolio is key—think of it as your game design resume. It’s where you show off your top work, proving you’ve got the skills, can be creative, and get game design. Employers want to see what you’re capable of. A solid portfolio can really help you get noticed.

What to put in your portfolio:

• Game Prototypes: Show simple versions of games or mechanics you’ve made. Even if they’re not finished, they show your ideas and how you think.
• Game Design Documents (GDDs): Include parts of these plans for your games. This shows how clearly you can explain your ideas in writing.
• Level Designs: Show off levels you’ve designed, maybe with screenshots and explanations of why you built them that way.
• Story Ideas: If you’re good at stories, include character details, plot outlines, or dialogue snippets.
• Personal Projects: Any games or interactive things you made just for fun show your passion and initiative.
• Team Projects: If you worked with others, highlight what you did in the group and how you contributed.

Tips for a Great Portfolio:

• Quality over Quantity: Only show your absolute best work, even if it’s just a few projects.
• Explain Clearly: For each project, say what your role was, what challenges you faced, and how you solved them.
• Show, Don’t Just Tell: Use screenshots, videos, or even playable demos if possible.
• Online Presence: Put your portfolio on a professional website (like ArtStation, itch.io, or your own simple site) so it’s easy for people to find.

5. Gain Real-World Experience

Having a strong portfolio is important, but getting actual experience is what will really help you move up.

• Internships: Lots of game companies have internships. They’re kinda like short-term jobs where you learn as you go. You get great real-world experience, guidance, and a chance to get noticed. It’s a good way to learn and meet people who could hire you later.
• Make Your Own Games (Indie Dev): Begin with something small! Create simple games on your own or with some friends. It’s a cool way to learn the full process from start to finish – from the initial idea to the final release.
• Game Jams: Quick, intense events where you design and build a game. They’re great for fast learning, teamwork, and adding projects to your portfolio.
• Modding: Modding means making changes or additions to games that already exist. You can learn a lot about level design, scripting, and how game systems work.
• Network: Attend industry events, conferences, and local meetups. Talk to other developers, find out about jobs, and make connections. Online groups and forums are also good for networking.

Each project you finish, every game jam you join, and every person you meet improves your experience and makes you a better candidate.

6. Land Your First Game Design Job

Okay, you’ve got the skills, a great portfolio, and some experience – time to hunt for jobs!

• Resume/CV: Your resume needs to shout, I’m perfect for this! Include the right skills, cool projects, and experience. Use words from the job description to get noticed.
• Cover Letter: Write a short, punchy letter that shows how much you love game design. Explain why you’re the right person for the job and show off that portfolio!
• Online Presence: Update your LinkedIn! Make sure it reflects your ambitions.
• Job Boards: Keep checking job boards like Gamasutra or ArtStation, plus company career pages and general job sites.
• Networking: Talk to people! You often find the best jobs through friends and contacts.

Remember to show your enthusiasm, clever thinking, teamwork skills, and that you get what the company’s games are all about.

7. Keep Learning and Evolving

The video game industry is always changing and growing. To be a successful game designer, you gotta keep learning new things. The global market for game development is expected to grow by 13.54% annually from 2025 to 2030 [Mordor Intelligence, 2024]. This means new opportunities and new technologies will keep appearing!

Stay updated on:

• New Technologies: Learn about Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and other new tech that is shaping the future of games. Programs like the Diploma in XR Immersive can help you get ahead in this area.
• Industry Trends: Keep an eye on what kinds of games are popular, how games make money, and what players are doing.
• Design Methods: Explore new ways of thinking about game design, user experience, and how to manage projects.

Always play new games, analyze their design, and think about what makes them fun or frustrating. The best designers are often the most enthusiastic players and the most observant thinkers.

Your Game Design Adventure Awaits!

Alright, that’s the gist of it! Getting into video game design might seem like a big challenge, but you can totally do it if you take it one step at a time.

It’s an awesome job where you get to think creatively and use your love for games to make something awesome. Just imagine: you could make the next big game that everyone’s playing!

Whether you go to a school like MAGES or learn on your own by doing, the key is to stick with it.

Keep learning, keep making games, keep playing, and meet other game fans. The game world always wants new, interesting ideas, and that could be you!