Prepare for your Game Designer interview. Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.
This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and understand your motivations. Your answer should reflect your personality, interests and career goals.
Answer Example: "I’ve been playing video games since I was a kid, and I’ve always enjoyed creating my own worlds and characters. When I was in high school, I took a computer programming class where we learned how to make simple games. It was so much fun that I decided to major in computer science in college. Now I’m looking for a job where I can use my skills to create exciting new games."
This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and how it relates to the position. Use this opportunity to highlight any unique skills or experiences that make you an ideal candidate for the job.
Answer Example: "I have extensive experience in game design, having worked on several projects throughout my career. In addition to my technical skills, I also have strong communication skills that allow me to collaborate well with other team members. My ability to work well with others has helped me create successful games that people enjoy playing."
Game designers often work in teams to create games. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable working with others and that you can collaborate effectively. In your answer, explain that you enjoy working in a team environment. Explain how you feel about collaborating with others on projects.
Answer Example: "I feel that working in a team environment is beneficial because it allows for collaboration and communication between team members. I have experience working in teams and understand the importance of collaboration and cooperation in order to achieve common goals. I am an excellent communicator who can effectively convey ideas and concepts to other team members. I also have strong interpersonal skills and am able to work well with others."
This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with one of the most important aspects of game design. Your answer should show that you have a deep understanding of character creation, including how you develop them and what tools you use.
Answer Example: "I have extensive experience creating characters for games. I have been working as a game designer for five years now, and during that time I have had the opportunity to create characters for many different types of games. In my last position, I was responsible for creating the characters for an action-adventure game."
This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your gaming preferences and how you feel about different elements of games. Use this opportunity to talk about what you liked about the last game you played, but also mention any elements that you felt could be improved.
Answer Example: "The last game I played was a puzzle game called Tetris. I really enjoyed the challenge of trying to fit different shapes into the right spaces. It was also fun to see how high I could get my score before losing. However, I think there could be more variety in the colors of blocks available."
Game designers often have to create the story for their game. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with creating a game’s narrative and how you approach it. Use examples from previous projects to explain what you do when creating a game’s story.
Answer Example: "I have extensive experience with creating game narratives. In my last role as a game designer, I worked on a team that created a multiplayer first-person shooter game. We decided early on that we wanted to create a narrative that players could experience together. To do this, we created a backstory for each character in the game and developed a main plotline that players could follow."
This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with the gaming industry. If you have prior experience designing games, share that information with the interviewer. If not, share what types of games you enjoy playing most.
Answer Example: "I’ve been designing games for the past five years, starting with simple puzzle games and moving onto more complex role-playing games. During that time, I’ve gained a lot of experience with different types of games and their various mechanics. I’m most familiar with creating 3D action-adventure games, but I also have experience with creating multiplayer online battle arena games and first-person shooter games."
This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your priorities as a game designer. It’s important to show that you value player experience, fun and excitement when creating games.
Answer Example: "I think the most important thing for game designers to keep in mind when creating a new game is the player experience. Game designers should always be thinking about how their game can be most enjoyable for players. This includes creating an engaging story, providing challenging but rewarding gameplay and creating an environment where players feel like they belong."
Employers ask this question to learn more about your work ethic and how you approach your job. They want to know that you are a hard worker who is willing to put in the time and effort needed to succeed in their company. When answering, think of an example from your past where you worked extra hours or completed a project ahead of schedule.
Answer Example: "I have always been someone who is motivated by challenges. When I am given a task, I am eager to complete it as quickly as possible. This has led me to sometimes work late into the night on projects in order to get them done before deadlines. In fact, I recently completed a game design project in only two weeks when others take three months or more."
Game designers often need to take feedback from others on their work. Employers ask this question to learn more about your communication skills and how you feel about receiving feedback. Use your answer to show that you are open to receiving feedback from others, but also that you have a strong sense of ownership over your work.
Answer Example: "I feel strongly about taking feedback from others on my work. I believe that it’s important to listen to others’ perspectives and consider their ideas when designing games. Taking feedback allows me to improve upon my designs and make them more inclusive and enjoyable for players. I also value collaboration with others, as it allows me to learn more about different areas of game design."
The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have any experience with the latest technology in the gaming industry. If you do, share what you’ve done with it and how it helped you complete your project. If not, explain that you are willing to learn new technology and adapt to it quickly.
Answer Example: "I’ve worked with VR and AR technology before in my last role as a game designer. We were developing a new game that required players to use these technologies in order to play. My team and I worked together to create an immersive experience for players by incorporating these technologies into the game. For example, we created a VR version of the game where players could explore different environments and interact with characters. We also created an AR version where players could hold their smartphones up to objects in the real world to interact with characters and environments."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you make decisions and whether you consider others’ opinions when doing so. Use examples from previous projects to explain what led you to make a certain decision, including any input from others who were involved in the project.
Answer Example: "I recently had to make a difficult decision while working on a game design project. The game was an immersive, first-person shooter where the player could explore a large open world and complete missions. The goal of the game was to provide an enjoyable and challenging experience for players."
Debugging is a process that game designers often have to go through when they’re creating a new game. The interviewer may ask you this question to see how you approach problem-solving and whether your process is effective. In your answer, explain what steps you take when debugging a game.
Answer Example: "When debugging a game, I like to start by looking at the big picture. I will play through the entire game and look for any major issues that need to be fixed. If there are any bugs, I will write them down so I can address them later. Then, I will start fixing the smaller issues one at a time. This helps me stay organized and ensures that I don’t miss anything."
The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the gaming industry and how you stay current on its latest trends. Use your answer to highlight any certifications or training programs you’ve completed in recent years, as well as any conferences or events you’ve attended.
Answer Example: "I am a member of several professional organizations, such as the International Game Developers Association and the Society of Digital Agencies. I also subscribe to several industry newsletters and blogs, such as Gamasutra and Kotaku, to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in gaming. In addition, I attend conferences and seminars on game design and development regularly."
This question can help the interviewer understand your priorities and how you approach design. Your answer should show that you value player experience, interactivity and fun above all else.
Answer Example: "The most important thing for me to remember when designing a game is to keep the player in mind at all times. As a game designer, I know that my primary goal is to create an enjoyable experience for players, so I make sure to keep their needs and desires in mind while creating the game. This includes things like making sure the gameplay is challenging but not too difficult, providing clear objectives and instructions, and creating a narrative that draws players in."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach challenges and solve problems. Your answer should show that you have a process for solving problems, but it can also be helpful if you share a specific method that has helped you in the past.
Answer Example: "I find that my “go-to” method for solving problems is to break them down into smaller pieces. When I’m faced with a challenge, I like to take some time to think about it and write down any thoughts or ideas that come to mind. Then, I analyze each piece of the problem individually until I find a solution. This method has helped me in the past when I was designing a game and couldn’t figure out how to make certain aspects work."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle challenges and obstacles. Use examples from your past to show that you are able to adapt to new situations and overcome challenges.
Answer Example: "In my last project, I had to overcome a few challenges. The first was finding a balance between creating an interesting game world and ensuring that it was easy for players to navigate. This required me to consider both the aesthetic and functional aspects of the game’s design. Another challenge I faced was creating a compelling story without overwhelming players with too much information at once."
This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your work ethic and determination. Use examples from past experiences where you had to work hard to achieve a goal, even if it wasn’t directly related to game design.
Answer Example: "I once had to create a video game within a short period of time for a class project. I knew that if I wanted to get an A on the project, I would need to work hard and use my creativity to make the best game possible. I started by creating a detailed plan for the game, including characters, levels and plotlines. Then, I began creating the actual game itself."
This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the gaming industry and how it works. You can answer this question by explaining what accessibility means, why it’s important and how it relates to your career goals as a game designer.
Answer Example: "Accessibility in the gaming world refers to making games that are accessible to as many people as possible. This includes people with disabilities such as visual impairment, hearing impairment and motor control issues. It also includes making games that are easy to use for people who are new to gaming or who have limited time to play. For example, I once played a game where the controls were too complicated for me to understand. However, after watching a tutorial video, I was able to master the controls and play the game."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and what your thought process is like. Your answer should show that you have a system in place for coming up with ideas, as well as showing your creativity and problem-solving skills.
Answer Example: "I find that the best way for me to come up with great ideas for game designs is to first take some time to brainstorm. I usually do this alone, but sometimes I’ll ask others for their input if I’m having trouble coming up with something. During this stage, I write down any and all ideas that come to mind, no matter how crazy they may seem. This allows me to think more freely and creatively about what could make a great game."
