Game Design Careers Beyond Gaming Companies

Of all the design fields or specializations, Game Design is perhaps one of the newest to make its mark in the field. Its rise among design aspirants has been stratospheric in the last decade-and-half. This can be attributed to the rise in gaming culture, more advanced and personalized gaming experiences, and the overall boom in the gaming industry.

Owing to this rise, there was a demand created for Game Designers like never before. Naturally, design schools started adopting this program as part of their curriculum. Today, Game Design creates multiple career lanes for its students, and it’s not even limited to Gaming companies anymore.

Let’s look at the various Game Design careers that exist beyond gaming companies.

What Skills Do Game Designers Actually Have?

A Game Designer’s skill set can be divided into four categories. They are as follows:

Core Design Skills

• Fun & Player Experience
• Systems Thinking
• Level Design
• Storytelling
• UI/UX Design

Technical Skills

• Game Engines
• Programming
• Scripting
• Software
• Data & Analytics

Creative & Analytical Skills

• Creativity & Innovation
• Problem Solving
• Analytical Thinking
• Artistic Vision

Soft Skills

• Communication
• Teamwork
• Collaboration
• Adaptability
• Attention to Detail
• Time Management

Industries Hiring Game Designers (Beyond Gaming)

These are some of the most popular industries where Game Designers are being actively hired for their skills outside of the gaming world.

• Healthcare – Gamified training, therapy
• Education – e-learning
• Automotive – Simulations, UX
• Tech – UI/UX Design, Data Analysis, Product Design (non-gaming stuff)
• Animation/VFX – Any sort of animation design that may or may not be interactive, world-building application, or narrative skills
• Marketing – Interactive Campaigns
• Military – Simulation for realistic training

Salary Potential in India (Non-Gaming Roles)

These are some of the average salary structures, as per each industry (non-gaming), that vary based on entry level, mid-level, and seniority. Here is the distribution chart for three such non-gaming industries.

1. EdTech

• Entry Level – INR 3 LPA to INR 9 LPA
• Mid-Level – INR 8.8 LPA to INR 13 LPA
• Senior Level – INR 15.1 LPA to INR 25.5 LPA

2. Software Product

• Entry-Level – INR 5.5 LPA to INR 10.5 LPA
• Mid-Level – INR 10.2 LPA to INR 14.5 LPA
• Senior Level – INR 18.5 LPA to INR 30 LPA

3. Media & Entertainment

• Entry-Level – INR 4.5 LPA to INR 10 LPA
• Mid-Level – INR 10.5 LPA to INR 15.5 LPA
• Senior Level – INR 20 LPA to INR 40 LPA

How to Transition from Game Design to Non-Gaming Careers?

After pursuing a course in Game Design and wanting to build a career in the same field, if someone decides to transition to a different industry, it is entirely doable. However, it won’t be a very easy procedure and would require the individual to take some steps in that direction. Here are the steps they can follow to transition:

1. Identify Transferable Skills

During your education program in Game Design, try to make a note of your skill set, both core design ones and the ones that can be applied to other fields. Once at work, try to see if they fit your job profile. If not, you can always realize your skills and find a job in a non-gaming industry that aligns well with those skills.

2. Research Target Industries

Once the skill set is taken care of, shift your focus to the industries hiring game designers. Not just those that are hiring, but also those that pay well, have great future potential, and where one can execute his/her skills and contribute to the company.

3. Learn Technical Skills

Knowledge of technical skills like Agile, C#, Unity, Problem-Solving, Presentation, and UX/UI will come in very handy in other industries.

4. Build a LinkedIn network

As discussed in the networking blog, a LinkedIn network is essential to advancing in a career. It also opens up plenty of hidden opportunities, a lot of which aren’t from the same industry (in this case, gaming) you operate in.

5. Tailor Your Resume

Build your resume in such a way that it highlights important skills. If these skills are universal, and make sure they are, then they will be noticed by recruiters from different industries. Skills that are important to most industries, including Game Design, if highlighted, can fetch you jobs in other industries.

6. Upskilling & Certifications

Try to garner different skills from different areas, which may include seminars, open workshops, self-arranged industry visits, online courses, etc. Getting a certificate in those areas will also be very helpful. It also bridges knowledge gaps in unknown industries.

7. Application & Portfolio

Finally, bringing all those aforementioned learnings into one condensed form to build one’s portfolio and send applications. The portfolio must demonstrate your skills, even if those aren’t gaming-related.

Is a BDes Useful for Game Designers?

Yes, a BDes is very useful for Game Designers. As a matter of fact, it is the most sought-after bachelor’s degree for any design program, including Games. Irrespective of the fact that one studies MDes or not, a BDes is a must-do for starting a career in design. It lays the foundation of design and teaches the basic principles of design. In its four-year course, the curriculum covers almost all important aspects of design required to begin a career in the said field.

As for Game Design, the process remains the same, but this time it’s gaming-related. Most concepts of general design and gaming principles are covered aspart of this curriculum. Strate School of Design provides a comprehensive BDes Game Design program, one that not only imparts the necessary principles of game design to its students but also prepares them for the gaming industry.

Taught by industry professionals and staying very closely relevant to industry trends, a BDes Game Design course in the Strate School of Design will set you straight for a long career in the field.

Future Scope of Game Design Skills in India

The future scope of Game Design skills in India is exceptionally bright, driven by rapid market growth and digitalization. The gaming industry is booming, and that boom is not going to stop anytime soon. Video games have become more personalized, with even NPCs (Non-Player Characters) becoming far more lively and interactive. Interactive media is now part and parcel of most video games.

The VFX, animation, and graphics are also of otherworldly quality, such that the characters feel real. There are far more things to do in game design now than ever before, as the games are continuously getting more and more realistic.

Increased smartphone penetration, the role of AI in gaming, the rising demand for creative talent in AR/VR, and e-sports, etc., have created this constant need for improvement in game design, which automatically calls for more game design jobs. Skilled professionals across roles such as Level Design, Concept Artist, and Creative Director also have a high earning potential.