JOB ROLES IN VIDEO GAMES

ROLE DUTIES SKILLS QUALITIES REAL EXAMPLE

FROM GTA IV
• Is there to keep the game on • strong leadership skills • ability to manage people,
PRODUCER time and budget time and resources
• good client handling ability
• They have to make a schedule • excellent presentation • excellent communication
Leslie Benzies
and keep to it skills

• Responsible for filing and
ASSISTANT archiving game assets such as
PRODUCER marketing
• Act as the main source of
contact for outside companies
• Knowledge of health and
safety regulations and
requirements
• Ability to plan ahead, set
objectives and prioritize
• A passion for Games
• Good communication skills
and management skills William Mills
• Ability to work within a team

• knowledge of the • ability to multi-task • Ability to work within a

SENIOR/LEAD requirements of the relevant
PROGRAMMER Health and Safety legislation
• hands on understanding of all
programming roles
• conflict resolution and team
problem solving ability • Good communication skills
John Whyte
• Enjoyment of games

• Tools programmer • creativity and innovation • Follow instructions

• AI programmer • good understanding of game • ability to work independently
• Middleware programmer
PROGRAMMER play and as part of a team
Karim Hemraj
• creativity and problem
solving skills

• To design the game • storytelling development • excellent communication and

GAME/SENIOR skills presentation
• To give the game a flowing
DESIGNER story line • information design skills • imagination and creativity
Keith McLeman
• To train people to test the
game

• Level Editor designs a portion • Knowledge of health and • A passion for games and the Kevin Wong
LEVEL EDITOR/ of the game safety regulations and games design theory
DESIGNER requirements Ross Wallace
• To decide what objects are in • excellent communication
each level • knowledge of different skills
platforms
 JOB ROLES IN VIDEO GAMES
ROLE DUTIES
• good understanding of the
CREATIVE/STUDIO financial aspects of game
DIRECTOR development
• a good understanding of what
makes a game appealing to
different audiences
• Act as a role between artists
TECHNICAL and programmers
ARTIST/DIRECTOR
• Works as part of the art team
• Setting up and maintaining the
art production workflow
• Responsible for the portrayal
ANIMATOR/ and movement of characters
ANIMATION within a game
• Also for other aspects of the
DIRECTOR
game such as scenery and
objects
• Responsible for overall look of
LEAD/CONCEPT the game
ARTIST • Produces much of the initial
artwork themselves
• Supervising artwork team
• Involves the composing, scoring
AUDIO ENGINEER/ and recording of music
SUPERVISING • Will also have to audition any
actors for their voices within the
SOUND EDITOR game.
• They test for bugs in the
QA software, from complete
TESTER/MANAGER crashes to minor glitches in the
programme.
• Also report on first play of game
to check for improvements
SKILLS
• excellent communication and
presentation skills
• creativity and problem-solving
skills
• Ability to work with minimum
supervision
• Good organization skills
• Knowledge of console
manufacture architecture
• Organization skills and the
ability to work deadlines
• Knowledge of relevant health
and safety regulations
• Computer art and design skills
• A good understanding of what
makes a game visually
appealing and fun to play
• Problem/Conflict solving skills
• Ability to compose and perform
music
• Knowledge of relevant tools
and technology
• Sense of time management
• Knowledge of health and safety
regulations
• Attention to detail and the
ability to evaluate quality
• Good negotiation skills and
conflict resolution skills
QUALITIES REAL EXAMPLE
FROM GTA IV
• excellent imagination
• ability to inspire a team
Andrew Semple
• Ability to think creatively to Adam Fowler
resolve technical challenges
and limitations Alexander Rodger
• Ability to see the needs of Obbe Vermeij
artists to help productivity.
• Creativity and imagination
• Good communication and
presentational skills
Alex Horton
• Ability to work within a
group and contribute to the
team
• A passion for games
• Ability to manage people,
time and resources
Ian McQue
• Experience is key to this
role
• Strong communication and
interpersonal skills
• Creativity and imagination
Nicholas
• A feel for the atmosphere
Montgomery
within gameplay
• Passion for playing games
• Good communication skills
• Persistence and Patience Craig Arbuthnott
• Ability to work in a team
• Good knowledge of the
games industry and titles