Game Level Designer

What is a game level designer?

A game level designer is someone who creates and designs the levels or stages in a video game. They are responsible for the overall look, feel, and functionality of the game's levels.

What does a game level designer do?

Usually, a game level designer does the following:

• Collaborates with the game development team to create unique and engaging levels for the game
• Designs and implements puzzles, challenges, and objectives in the game levels
• Creates the terrain, scenery, and props within the levels
• Balances gameplay difficulty and ensures a smooth progression throughout the game
• Tests and iterates on the levels based on player feedback

What does the day-to-day life of a game level designer look like?

A game level designer usually works between 9am and 5pm, although hours may vary depending on the company and project deadlines. They spend their time designing and creating levels using specialized software and game engines. They collaborate with other members of the development team, such as artists and programmers, to bring their level designs to life. They also playtest and iterate on their levels to ensure they provide an enjoyable experience for players.

Where does a game level designer work?

Game level designers can work in various settings, including:

• Game development studios: Larger studios often have dedicated level design teams who work on multiple games or projects.
• Independent game development: Some level designers work on indie games, either solo or as part of a small team.
• Self-employed or freelance: Some level designers choose to work as freelancers, offering their services to different game development projects.

What tools/software/hardware does a game level designer use?

A game level designer uses a variety of tools and software, including:

• Game engines: Popular game engines include Unity and Unreal Engine, which provide the framework for building and designing game levels.
• Level design software: Tools like Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, or Blender are often used to create 3D models, landscapes, and props for the game levels.
• Scripting and programming languages: Some level designers have knowledge of scripting languages such as C# or Python to create interactive elements within the levels.
• Hardware: Computers with sufficient processing power and graphics capabilities are essential for game level design.

What do I need to become a game level designer?

There are a number of ways you can become a game level designer, including:

• Bachelor's degree: Some game development studios prefer candidates with a degree in game design, computer science, or a related field. This can provide a strong foundation in game design principles, level creation, and programming.
• Portfolio work: Building a portfolio of your own game level designs is crucial. This can include personal projects, mods, or contributions to indie games. Demonstrating your creativity and problem-solving skills through your portfolio is important.

What career paths are available?

There are several career paths available to you as a game level designer, including:

• Senior Game Level Designer: With experience, you can progress to a senior level, overseeing the design and implementation of levels and mentoring junior level designers.
• Lead Level Designer: As a lead level designer, you would be responsible for managing the level design team, ensuring the quality and consistency of level designs across the game.
• Game Designer: Level design is often a stepping stone to a broader game design role, where you contribute to overall game mechanics, systems, and storytelling.

What jobs are similar to a game level designer?

• Game Designer: In this role, you would have a broader involvement in the overall design and mechanics of the game.
• Level Artist: Level artists work closely with level designers to create the visual elements of the game levels, including textures, lighting, and environmental details.
• Game Tester/QA Tester: Game testers playtest games, providing feedback and identifying bugs or issues that need to be addressed by the development team. They work closely with level designers to ensure the levels are functioning as intended.

What made you want to become a game level designer?

How did you get your first game level designer job?

What was the one thing that surprised you the most about being a game level designer?

Are you a game level designer? We want you to share your experiences with those looking to start or change their careers to game level designing. If you're interested, contact us at mail@calumchilds.com.