JOB ROLES IN VIDEO GAMES
PRODUCTION, PROGRAMMING & DESIGN
ROLE DUTIES SKILLS QUALITIES REAL EXAMPLE
FROM GTA IV
• Ensure that the project is • Relevant Health and Safety • Strong leadership Leslie Benzies
PRODUCER completed on time legislation • Problem solving abilities
• Monitors progress against • Good knowledge of games
the schedule and industry
• Responsible for filing and • Ability to plan ahead • Passion for games William Mills
ASSISTANT archiving game assets • High standards of work • Good communication
PRODUCER • Assists the production team
with running projects
• Manages the software • Ability to multi-task • Composture under pressure John Whyte
SENIOR/LEAD engineering from start to • Advanced programming • Creativity and innovation
PROGRAMMER finish of game skills
• Manages the production of
the different game ‘builds’
• Identify and design any • Specific platform • Ability to take instruction Karim Hemraj
PROGRAMMER custom tools which may be experience • Good time management
needed • Relevant Health and Safety
• Design and write the legislation
computer code that runs
and controls the game
• Formulate the concept and • Information design • Imagination and creativity Shawn Allen
GAME/SENIOR vision of game • Systematic and strategic • Ability to work as a part of the
DESIGNER • Trains testers to play the team
game
• Defines and creates • It skills and competence of • Excellent communication skills James Arthur
LEVEL EDITOR/ interactive architecture of world editing tools (both verbal and written)
DESIGNER the video game segment • Knowledge of different • Passion for games and
• Needs to think about the platforms knowledge to design theory
logic and flow of events
JOB ROLES IN VIDEO GAMES
DIRECTION, ART, ANIMATION, SOUND & Q.A
ROLE DUTIES SKILLS QUALITIES REAL EXAMPLE
FROM GTA IV
• Responsible for look and • Understand all aspects of the • Creativity Andrew Semple
CREATIVE/STUDIO feel of game industry including finances • Inspirational
DIRECTOR • Artwork, music handling and Health and Safety • Passion for games
the media often creates • Technical skills game • Good communication
the game concept and development knowledge leadership
characters
• Setting up maintaining art • Technical knowledge in • Artistic and creative able to Obbe Vermeij
TECHNICAL production work flow lighting, rendering and work under pressure
ARTIST/DIRECTOR • Bride between artist and graphics related • Excellent organizational skills
programmers training of • Programming languages 3D
artists keeping up to date graphics software knowledge
with tech
• Responsible for technical • Knowledge at 2D and 3D • Artistic/creative initiative Alex Horton
ANIMATOR/ process of rigging and animation technique and full • Imaginative patience and
ANIMATION skinning motion video attention to detail
• Work closely with • Animation software
DIRECTOR programs and artists knowledge
• Responsible for overall • Knowledge at 2D and 3D • Leadership Andrew Hay
LEAD/CONCEPT look of games modeling and animation • Time management
ARTIST • Manages artists and packages • Passion for games
animators • Health and Safety • Excellent communication
requirements
• Produces a sound design • Sound engineering skills and • Strong communication and Ian Stynes
AUDIO ENGINEER/ for the game and realizes it knowledge of relevant tools interpersonal skills
SUPERVISING • Sometimes audition and and technology • Ability to work to deadlines
record any actors that are • A feel for the atmosphere of
SOUND EDITOR needed games
• Play testing • Knowledge of industry • Ability to work under pressure Iain Smith
QA • • Good Understanding of •
Identifying problems Patience
TESTER/MANAGER • Suggesting improvements marketing and production • Good Communication
• skills •
Check for spelling errors Methodical and analytical
• • Good knowledge of games •
Copyright issues Diplomacy passion for games
and technology