JOB ROLES IN VIDEO GAMES
PRODUCTION, PROGRAMMING & DESIGN
ROLE DUTIES SKILLS QUALITIES REAL EXAMPLE
FROM GTA IV
Works closely with the game’s . A passion for games. . Ability to manage people, time Leslie Benzies
PRODUCER internal producer, who is part of . Excellent presentation and and resources.
the on-site development team. presentation skills. . Ability to carefully manage a
The produce is concerned with . Ability to handle multiple budget.
broader issues. There is not set projects simultaneously. . Good negotiation skills.
route in becoming a producer.
Assists the production team with . A passion for games. . Good communication and William Mills
ASSISTANT the day-to-day running of projects . Ability to plan ahead, set management skills.
PRODUCER as well as internal and external
communication throughout the
objectives and prioritize high . A keen eye for detail and high
levels of motivation. standards of work.
game development process.
. Manages the software . Advanced programming skills. . Composure under pressure. John Whyte
SENIOR/LEAD engineering of a game from start . Ability to multi-mask. . Hands on understanding of all
PROGRAMMER to finish. They usually compile all
the technical documentation for
. Creativity and innovation. programming roles.
. Conflict resolution and problem . Tact and diplomacy.
the software produced by the
programming team. solving ability.
Translates the design into a . Ability to write in C, C++ and . Ability to work independently Karim Hemraj
PROGRAMMER technical specification for the other languages. and as part of a team.
game and then delegates tasks to . Good understanding of . Creativity and problem solving
the programming team. Some gameplay. skills.
work as general Programmers on .Ability to take instructions and
a whole range of tasks.
work to deadlines.
Formulate the concept and vision . Thorough understanding of game . Imagination and creativity. Simon Lashley
GAME/SENIOR of a game. They devise the world, play theory. . Systematic and strategic
DESIGNER setting, story, characters, and all
other game elements and design
. Storytelling and narrative thinking.
development skills.
details, and then communicate
. Excellent communication and
this to the rest of the team.
presentation skills.
Designs a percentage of the game . IT skills and competence in the . Spatial awareness and the ability Barry Clark
LEVEL EDITOR/ which is usually referred to as a use of world editing tools. to visualize layouts, imagination
DESIGNER ‘level’, specifying in detail all the
possible actions and game play
. Knowledge of different and creativity.
platforms. . Attention to detail and the ability
events which take place within to evaluate quality.
that level.
JOB ROLES IN VIDEO GAMES
DIRECTION, ART, ANIMATION, SOUND & Q.A
ROLE DUTIES SKILLS QUALITIES REAL EXAMPLE
FROM GTA IV
Is responsible for the overall look . Excellent imagination, creativity . A passion for games and a good Andrew Semple
CREATIVE/STUDIO and feel of a computer game. and problem-solving skills. understanding of what makes a
DIRECTOR Their focus is to ensure the quality
,design and style of the gameplay,
. Excellent communication and game appealing to different
audiences.
presentation skills.
artwork, music and audio assets . Ability to inspire a team.
the make up the final product.
Includes setting up and . Ability to work with minimum . Ability to think creatively to Adam Fowler
TECHNICAL maintaining the art production supervision. resolve technical challenges and
ARTIST/DIRECTOR workflow as well as making
decisions about which art
. Excellent organizational skills. limitations.
. Knowledge of console hardware
packages and tools a studio should architecture.
use.
Work as part of the art . Spatial awareness and a feel for . Creativity and imagination. Jonas Avrin
ANIMATOR/ department team. Using the movement over time. . Knowledge of constraints.
ANIMATION objects, models, and most
importantly, characters created by
. Ability to work independently . Organizational skills and the
and as part of a team. ability to work to deadlines.
DIRECTOR 3D Artists.
. Knowledge of full motion video.
Initially the Lead Artist works with . Traditional and computer art and . A passion for games and a good Stuart Petri and Ian McQue
LEAD/CONCEPT a small core team which can design skills. understanding of what makes a
ARTIST include the Game Designer and
Lead Programmer, defining
. Excellent communication skills. game visually appealing and fun to
play.
. Knowledge of 2D and 3D
creatively the overall look and modeling and animation packages. . Ability to lead and work as part
artistic approach for the game. of a team.
Working to a creative brief, the Audio . A feel for the atmosphere. . “Aural skills”, a sense of timing, and Matthew Smith and Nicholas
AUDIO ENGINEER/ Engineer produces a sound design for . Ability to compose and perform attention to detail. Montgomery
the game and, when this has been
SUPERVISING agreed, realises it. This might involve
music.
. Ability to work to deadlines.
. Creativity and imagination.
. Strong communication and
the composing, scoring and recording
SOUND EDITOR of music.
interpersonal skills.
Testers are responsible for assuring . Excellent communication skills. . Ability to play games for long Jeff Rosa
QA quality in the final product and for . Good negotiation skills and conflict periods.
finding all the flaws in a game before it
TESTER/MANAGER goes public. They look for programme
resolution skills.
. Good attention to detail.
. Passion for games playing.
. Persistence and patience.
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