| Level of studies: | master’s degree |
| Recommended high school specialisation: | Artistic |
| Employability: | Very good |
| Beginner salary: | € 3,350 |
| Salary after experience: | € 5,000 |
| Mobility: | Very good |
| ROME code : | E1104 |
| FAP code : | U1Z82 |
The responsibilities of a lead game designer
Alongside a project manager, a lead game designer will have several tasks to respect and apply for the proper development of the video game. They will therefore have to:
- Pilot, coordinate, support game designers
- Make sure that all the elements (landscapes, characters, etc.) correspond to the defined specifications
- Develop the concept of the game
- Work with developer teams
- Pay attention to budget constraints and schedule
- Correct any bugs
What qualities should they have?
Occupying this position requires some qualities. A lead game designer is, therefore a person:
- With a sense of work ethic
- Who can withstand stress
- Possessing a creative mind
- Who is a force of proposal
- Who knows how to work in a team
- Who should be able to communicate, be a teacher
Skills to master
This game design professional is able to apply a series of skills. They master:
- Programming software (Javascript, HTML, etc.)
- The level design
- 3D software (3Ds Max …)
- Modelling
- Technical tools like Unity
- The production line
- Video game culture
- Project management and piloting
- English
Advantages and disadvantages of this profession
Benefits :
- Project management
- Involvement in the game production chain
- Desired profession
- Passionate profession
- Good salary, especially abroad
Disadvantages:
- Job can be stressful
- Extensive hours
Which high school diploma should I have?
A bachelor’s degree is often required. Becoming a game designer requires some knowledge. A general high school diploma with a speciality in arts or mathematics is possible or a specialisation in the science of technology (STI2D) in a technical high school diploma. Then, you should choose a game design course in a school specialising in video games. Then, the experience will allow you to become a lead game designer.
Considering being a lead game designer starts with game design. To become a game designer, you need to have education. It is indispensable to understand the technical aspects, all facets of graphics and design, and project management, team leadership. This is all that we offer you with our G. Art school.
We allow you to become a game designer by first taking the 2D / 3D Computer Graphics – Game Art bachelor’s degree. It is a course which is accessible after a high school diploma or through admission on record which allows you to see the basics of gaming culture, digital and technological culture (learning game design), communication and management.
To perfect your game design, our MBA in game artistry takes two years and gives you all the keys to take up positions of responsibility and master the visual aspects of a game.
Our training programs leave a lot of room for project-based pedagogy and professional immersion with internships and work-study programs.
To internships
Our school offers several internship periods throughout the school curriculum. These are the opportunities to put your knowledge into practice and to face the world of work, from two months in the first and second year of the bachelor’s degree to three months in the final year. We then offer six months in the fourth year. Finally, the fifth takes place exclusively in a company with an alternating internship and fixed-term contract rhythm.
We regularly publish internship offers at the school for companies that host interns, often issued by partner companies.
Also, we can only advise research on sites such as Gaming job, Welcome to the jungle, AFJV, Seek-Team or even Jooble.
How much does a lead game designer earn?
A lead game designer can earn a little less than 40,000 euros per year on average in France. With five years of experience, their salary can reach 60,000 euros.
In Montreal, a lead game designer earns much more. The average salary is $ 85,000 and can climb to just under $ 100,000 per year. The lowest salary is close to $ 50,000. As for the United States, the salary ranges from $ 45,000 to over $ 98,000 annually.
Companies that are recruiting
All video game companies have a game designer who also plays a lead role. For some smaller studios, they can do both. On the other hand, there is a lead game designer for the largest companies who manages a team of game designers and carries out a project. Whether at Ubisoft, Gameloft, Quantic Dream and many others, which employ dozens of people.
Career progression
Competition is fierce and the level of expertise and experience required is increasing. Afterwards a lead game designer can rise through the ranks and become, for example, a game director or producer.
They can also work in universes other than video games such as the web for example.
Famous lead game designers?
We no longer need to introduce Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda or Donkey Kong. Sid Meier is a renowned game designer who created the Civilisation game series. We can also recognise David Jones, who worked on Lemmings and GTA.
In summary
Lead Game Designer in video
How can you become a lead game designer?
To become a lead game designer, you will first have to study. Concretely, this profession requires a solid background. You can obtain skills with the bachelor’s degree 2D / 3D in Computer Graphics – Game Art taught at our G. Art school and with the Game Artist MBA. From there, after three or five years of study, it will be possible to work as a game designer. And finally, over the years, you will be able to take on responsibilities within a studio and become a lead game designer.