Video Game Design Specialist | Albany Technical College

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET via SOC 15-1255.01

Skills

ProgrammingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingActive LearningSystems Analysis

Knowledge

DesignComputers and ElectronicsCommunications and MediaPsychologyMathematics

Abilities

Fluency of IdeasWritten ComprehensionOriginalityNear VisionOral ComprehensionWritten ExpressionInformation OrderingOral ExpressionProblem SensitivityDeductive Reasoning

Tasks

Balance and adjust gameplay experiences to ensure the critical and commercial success of the product
Devise missions, challenges, or puzzles to be encountered in game play.
Create core game features, including storylines, role-play mechanics, and character biographies for

Technology

Graphics or photo imaging softwareDevelopment environment softwareVideo creation and editing softwareObject or component oriented development softwareProject management software

Tools

Audioconferencing systemsComputer data input scannersDesktop computersLaptop computersPersonal computersSmart phonesTablet computersVideo gaming equipment

Work Values

AchievementIndependenceWorking ConditionsRecognitionSupportRelationships

Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET + BLS

Occupations matched to this program, with median wage, top wage, growth, and openings
SOC	Occupation	Method	Wage	Growth	Openings
Match confidence: medium15-1255.01	Video Game Designers	title_inference	—	—	—

Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: developing (Level 2)(based on Certificate)

Gameplay experiences for a defined game module — balance and adjust with reduced oversight by analyzing player feedback data and applying critical thinking within a mid-sized studio project.
Missions, challenges, and puzzles — devise independently for assigned game sections, ensuring alignment with the broader game narrative and mechanical framework.
Character biographies and role-play mechanics — develop routinely as part of a feature team, adapting established franchise conventions to new game contexts.
Feedback from design and technical colleagues — solicit, organize, and integrate into iterative design revisions across multiple development sprints.
Design level documentation including mechanics, guidelines, and mission outlines — maintain and update consistently throughout the development cycle using project management software.
Design review sessions for an assigned game feature — conduct on a regular cadence, preparing agendas and tracking action items to resolution.
Gameplay flowcharts and graphical design devices — create with proficiency in graphics and GUI development software to communicate design intent to cross-functional teams.
Constructive feedback on game design features — provide to junior designers and peers with social perceptiveness and clear oral expression during collaborative critique sessions.
Time and task priorities across concurrent design assignments — manage effectively using project management tools within an established studio production pipeline.
Systems analysis of game mechanics — perform to identify unintended interactions or balance gaps, proposing evidence-based solutions for lead designer review.

Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.