The Lead Game Designer is responsible for coordinating the activities of all the Game Designers working on a game
Tasks
The Lead Game Designer is responsible for developing the concept of the game in the broadest sense, creating its principles, supplying the graphical interface diagrams and supervising their production by the graphic designers.
The Lead Game Designer is also responsible for the script and structure of the game, integrating technical, graphic, production chain and licensing constraints. He then coordinates the production and testing of the game.
In short, the Lead Game Designer defines everything that happens from the moment the player launches the game to the moment he or she exits it. The order of the menus, their content, the navigation, but also the definition of the game and its mechanisms.
The mission is to ensure that the game is not too hard, but not too easy either! The player should be able to get help, but not too much.
The key to the success of a video game, the game developer must demonstrate professionalism and not make games for himself but for a target audience pre-established with the project manager(s) within the framework of a precise budget constraint with deadlines to be met.
Lead Game Designers are often asked to produce wonders with very little, so they need to be creative but also methodical and realistic.
Skills and knowledge
The video game Lead Game Designer is first and foremost a communicator, as he or she has to supervise his or her team and interact with the project manager and the technical team.
As a result, they are able to make proposals and evolve in a complex and constantly changing environment, so they need to be aware of developments and trends (social networks, user behaviour).
It’s up to them to meet with the various people involved one by one to explain what they have in mind, so that they can work together on the project. It’s a bit like a film director who has to be able to reach everyone.
Technically, Lead Game Designers need to know how to model game behaviour and situations in diagrams, use programming software (HTML, ActionScript, Javascript, etc.), office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), 3D software (3Ds Max, etc.), animation software, design graphic interfaces and use technical English.
Salary
A Lead Game Designer’s salary starts at an average of €40,000 gross per year. However, the salary depends on the size of the studio. There are a number of possibilities for advancement to Project Manager, Game Director, etc
Careers and career opportunities
Combining creativity and technical innovation, the video games sector is booming, with growth and sales exceeding those of the film industry.
The video game industry is booming, but lead game designer positions are still expensive. Competition is fierce.
