As of June 2026, Video Game Designers has an AI-exposure score of 60/100 (Elevated exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.
Video Game Designers
More exposed than 65% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$104,000. About 9,100 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).
Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.
How you compare to similar Computer & Mathematical roles
Your tasks, by AI exposure
- Oversee gameplay testing to ensure intended gaming experience and game adherence to original vision.
- Consult with multiple stakeholders to define requirements and implement online features.
- Devise missions, challenges, or puzzles to be encountered in game play.
- Create and manage documentation, production schedules, prototyping goals, and communication plans in collaboration with production staff.
- Create core game features, including storylines, role-play mechanics, and character biographies for a new video game or game franchise.
- Balance and adjust gameplay experiences to ensure the critical and commercial success of the product.
- Conduct regular design reviews throughout the game development process.
- Develop and maintain design level documentation, including mechanics, guidelines, and mission outlines.
- Document all aspects of formal game design, using mock-up screenshots, sample menu layouts, gameplay flowcharts, and other graphical devices.
- Create gameplay prototypes for presentation to creative and technical staff and management.
- Prepare two-dimensional concept layouts or three-dimensional mock-ups.
- Write or supervise the writing of game text and dialogue.
- Provide feedback to designers and other colleagues regarding game design features.
- Solicit, obtain, and integrate feedback from design and technical staff into original game design.
- Provide feedback to production staff regarding technical game qualities or adherence to original design.
- Guide design discussions between development teams.
- Present new game design concepts to management and technical colleagues, including artists, animators, and programmers.
- Collaborate with artists to achieve appropriate visual style.
- Keep abreast of game design technology and techniques, industry trends, or audience interests, reactions, and needs by reviewing current literature, talking with colleagues, participating in educational programs, attending meetings or workshops, or participating in professional organizations or conferences.
- Review or evaluate competitive products, film, music, television, and other art forms to generate new game design ideas.
No durable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as augmentable (70%).
Safer adjacent roles
Your AI-Safe Career Report
Every task scored with what to do about it · 5–10 safer roles with salary, demand & reachability · skill-gap map · a 30/60/90-day roadmap · plus a résumé & LinkedIn rewrite · PDF.
Grounded in O*NET + the Anthropic Economic Index + BLS — personalized to your role.
Workers with AI skills earn a roughly 62% wage premium — adapting pays. — PwC Global AI Jobs Barometer, 2026
Instant delivery — your personalized report is ready about a minute after checkout.