15 Video game designer working conditions

What is video game designer working conditions?

The term "game designer" often describes individuals who create and test video games, though it can also refer to people who create low-tech, table-top games such as Dungeons & Dragons. Both positions exist in a similar working environment, which boasts its share of charms, but also demands a great deal from employees. Most people become game designers because they're passionate about the games themselves, which is reflected in their work environment.

   

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Atmosphere

Game designers typically work in an office building like any other business, with desks and cubicles defining individual work spaces. While specifics vary by company, the atmosphere tends to be more relaxed than other businesses. Cubicles will be decorated with artwork, stickers, or plastic figures, and dress codes are usually quite casual, with blue jeans and T-shirts predominate. Conversely, most game companies have stringent security measures in place to prevent anyone from leaking materials before a game is ready to be released. Employees may be forbidden from taking anything out of the office, or from carrying devices such as data sticks to and fro.

Equipment

Each work space will likely have a high-end computer with a lot of RAM and memory. Even low-tech table-top games require hard drive space to hold the text, art and layout design. Video game companies often have dual monitors for their designers, as well as development kits and possibly copies of the game systems they're developing, such as Sony PlayStations or Xbox 360s.

      
Wages

PayScale.com reports hourly wages for designers at somewhere between $8 and $30 an hour. Annual wages rank between $43,000 and $68,000. A game designer may earn more through commissions, profit sharing and similar programs. Some game design companies may provide additional benefits, such as health care packages and on-site recreational facilities.

Hours

The gaming industry is infamous for overworking its employees, especially during "crunch time" (the weeks before a major product is going to be released). Employees have reported 80- or 85-hour work weeks, with elevated stress levels, lost sleep and diminished quality of life. Many game designers are young with no families and few other social obligations, so they can tolerate the hours. Designers often pride themselves on working long hours as well, leading to a culture which encourages it.

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