Video Game Designers

Video Game Designers score 67 out of 100, which is high exposure to AI. That ranks #57 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 24 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 8 on its own and 16 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 8 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

67/ 100

High

Rank: #57of 923 jobs
US workers: 113,330for Web and Digital Interface Designers
Median pay: $104,000a year
In real AI use: 8 of 24tasks, April–May 2026

Free report

Follow how AI is changing video game designers work.

Subscribe to the weekly report and get The AI Job Exposure Report (PDF) right away: the most and least exposed jobs, exposure by field, and the AI-resilient jobs that pay well.

Free · one email a week · unsubscribe anytime

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 8 (33%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 16 (67%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 0 (0%)

Devise missions, challenges, or puzzles to be encountered in game play.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Create core game features, including storylines, role-play mechanics, and character biographies for a new video game or game franchise.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Develop and maintain design level documentation, including mechanics, guidelines, and mission outlines.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Provide feedback to designers and other colleagues regarding game design features.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Provide feedback to production staff regarding technical game qualities or adherence to original design.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Write or supervise the writing of game text and dialogue.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Create gameplay test plans for internal and external test groups.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Provide test specifications to quality assurance staff.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Balance and adjust gameplay experiences to ensure the critical and commercial success of the product.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Solicit, obtain, and integrate feedback from design and technical staff into original game design.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Conduct regular design reviews throughout the game development process.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Document all aspects of formal game design, using mock-up screenshots, sample menu layouts, gameplay flowcharts, and other graphical devices.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Create and manage documentation, production schedules, prototyping goals, and communication plans in collaboration with production staff.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Create gameplay prototypes for presentation to creative and technical staff and management.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Guide design discussions between development teams.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Oversee gameplay testing to ensure intended gaming experience and game adherence to original vision.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Present new game design concepts to management and technical colleagues, including artists, animators, and programmers.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Prepare two-dimensional concept layouts or three-dimensional mock-ups.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
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.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Review or evaluate competitive products, film, music, television, and other art forms to generate new game design ideas.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Collaborate with artists to achieve appropriate visual style.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Consult with multiple stakeholders to define requirements and implement online features.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Determine supplementary virtual features, such as currency, item catalog, menu design, and audio direction.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Prepare and revise initial game sketches using two- and three-dimensional graphical design software.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task

What you can do about it

Get a personal plan for what to learn next.

Skill Half Life turns this score into a 90-day plan for your situation: your realistic options, the skills that carry over, and training that fits your time and budget. Coming soon.

See your options

Similar jobs, lower exposure

Related occupations that score at least 10 points lower.

Other jobs in this field

Computer and Mathematical occupations close to this one.

All computer and mathematical jobs and AI

Questions about video game designers and AI

Will AI replace video game designers?

Probably not entirely, but the job is likely to change a lot. Video Game Designers score 67 out of 100 (high exposure), #57 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 24 of the job's 24 tasks, 8 of them on its own. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which video game designers tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Devise missions, challenges, or puzzles to be encountered in game play"; "Create core game features, including storylines, role-play mechanics, and character biographies for a new video game or game franchise"; "Develop and maintain design level documentation, including mechanics, guidelines, and mission outlines".

Which video game designers tasks are hardest for AI?

Every task in this job has some AI exposure, though 16 of them need extra software built around the AI.

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 8 of the 24 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as video game designers, and what do they earn?

About 113,330 people in the US (figure for Web and Digital Interface Designers), with median pay of $104,000 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.