My account

You control your data

We use cookies to tailor the experience of creating resumes and cover letters. For these reasons, we may share your usage data with third parties. You can find more information about how we use cookies on our Cookies Policy. If you would like to set your cookies preferences, click the Settings button below. To accept all cookies, click Accept.

Settings Accept

Cookie settings

Click on the types of cookies below to learn more about them and customize your experience on our Site. You may freely give, refuse or withdraw your consent. Keep in mind that disabling cookies may affect your experience on the Site. For more information, please visit our Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy.

Choose type of cookies to accept

Analytics

These cookies allow us to analyze our performance to offer you a better experience of creating resumes and cover letters. Analytics related cookies used on our Site are not used by Us for the purpose of identifying who you are or to send you targeted advertising. For example, we may use cookies/tracking technologies for analytics related purposes to determine the number of visitors to our Site, identify how visitors move around the Site and, in particular, which pages they visit. This allows us to improve our Site and our services.

Performance and Personalisation

These cookies give you access to a customized experience of our products. Personalization cookies are also used to deliver content, including ads, relevant to your interests on our Site and third-party sites based on how you interact with our advertisements or content as well as track the content you access (including video viewing). We may also collect password information from you when you log in, as well as computer and/or connection information. During some visits, we may use software tools to measure and collect session information, including page response times, download errors, time spent on certain pages and page interaction information.

Advertising

These cookies are placed by third-party companies to deliver targeted content based on relevant topics that are of interest to you. And allow you to better interact with social media platforms such as Facebook.

Necessary

These cookies are essential for the Site’s performance and for you to be able to use its features. For example, essential cookies include: cookies dropped to provide the service, maintain your account, provide builder access, payment pages, create IDs for your documents and store your consents.

To see a detailed list of cookies, click here.

Save preferences

Game Design Resume—Sample & Tips for Game Designers

You build worlds from the ground up and carefully fine-tune the rules of the game. Use your game design resume to showcase both the art and the craft of what you do.

Bart Turczynski
Editor-in-Chief
Game Design Resume—Sample & Tips for Game Designers

There’s nothing quite like it.

 

Launching a new game for the first time—

 

Savoring the near limitless potential of an unexplored world and unfolding narrative.

 

This is, in many ways, just like starting a new job:

 

The beginning of a new adventure—

 

A step into the unknown.

 

Be sure you outfit yourself for the challenge ahead:

 

Your game designer resume is most of what you’ll need to clear the first levels.

 

In this guide:

 

  • A game design resume sample better than most.
  • How to create the perfect game designer resume job descriptions.
  • How to write a resume for video game designer jobs that stands out.
  • Expert tips and examples to boost your chances of landing a game design job.

 

Save hours of work and get a job-winning resume like this. Try our resume builder for free. Start by choosing a resume template.

 

Create your resume now

 

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOWgame design resume example

What users say about ResumeLab:

I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your resume.”
Patrick

I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work!
Dylan 

My previous resume was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful!
George

Create your resume now

 

Need a resume guide for other creative and/or IT-based jobs? Still at, or going back to, school? Check out our guides, we’ve got one for every occasion:

 

 

Game Design Resume Sample

 

Andreas Grant

Game Designer

 

Personal Info

 

Phone: 602-533-6286

E-mail: andreas.grant@reslab.com

linkedin.com/in/andreasngrant

 

Summary

 

Industrious game designer with 5+ years’ experience working on both AAA titles and indie passion projects. At StutterFox Studies, boosted Steam sales by 18% and put 11 prototypes through 3,000+ hours of testing at zero cost. Seeking opportunity to apply proven level design and Agile development skills in helping CyberBlue consistently meet launch dates.

 

Experience 

 

Game Designer

StutterFox Studios, San Francisco, CA

April 2018–present

  • Created LoS (line of sight) mechanic that was praised by 92% of alpha testers.
  • Developed economic model in consultation with two economists and an historian.
  • Balanced gameplay, boosting Steam sales by 18% after patch release.
  • Put 11 hit-box system prototypes through a total of 3,000+ hours of testing at no cost.

 

Game Designer

Stilt Shores, San Francisco, CA

May 2016– March 2018

  • Delivered milestones an average of four business days ahead of schedule.
  • Produced 240+ pages of dialogue and decision trees.
  • Released proofs-of-concept as short indie titles, bringing in $7,200+ per year.
  • Compiled 60+ pages of documentation for sound effects and voice recording.

 

Education 

 

BS in Game Design & Development

University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

2012–2016

  • Pursued a passion for human computer interaction coursework.
  • Won Johnston Award for short film (CGI) “Chapixel”.

 

Software and Programming Languages

 

  • CAD: 3DS Max
  • Development environments: Crytek CryEngine, Maya, Unreal Engine
  • Languages: C, C++, Python, Lua, Java

 

Languages

 

  • English – native speaker
  • Polish – native speaker
  • Czech – communicative

 

Key Skills 

 

  • Preparing documentation
  • Level design
  • Storyboarding
  • Anti-cheat implementation
  • Organizational skills
  • Communication skills
  • Creativity
  • Time management

 

Now here’s how to write a game design resume they’ll love:

 

1. Choose the Right Game Design Resume Format

 

Choosing the right UI is a key part of the game development process—

 

The Witcher just wouldn’t be the same as a side-scrolling platformer.

 

It’s the same here:

 

Choose the right resume format

 

So that hiring managers find your resume as intuitive as real gamers find an inverted y-axis.

 

Game Design Resume Format

 

 

There is no debate as to whether PDF or *.docx is better for resumes

 

But that doesn’t mean it’s a no-brainer:

 

Check the job ad—some companies’ ATSs (Applicant Tracking Systems) can’t handle PDF.

 

2. Start with a Winning Game Design Resume Profile

 

Think of it as your intro cut scene—

 

Your resume profile is at least that important.

 

Already got your name in some credits?

 

Then start with a career summary statement. It’ll let you capitalize on your game design successes.

 

Use:

 

  1. One adjective (efficient, creative, dedicated)
  2. Job title (Game Designer, Gameplay Designer)
  3. Years of experience (4+, 7+)
  4. How you’ll be able to help (introduce innovative gameplay mechanics)
  5. Two or three of your most impressive achievements (credited on 3 AAA titles, awarded the All Outta Gum Prize for quotable dialogue)

 

These game design resume examples show how:

 

Game Design Resume Summary

Good Example
Industrious game designer with 5+ years’ experience working on both AAA titles and indie passion projects. At StutterFox Studies, boosted Steam sales by 18% and put 11 prototypes through 3,000+ hours of testing at zero cost. Seeking opportunity to apply proven level design and Agile development skills in helping CyberBlue consistently meet launch dates.
Bad Example
Game designer with 5 years’ experience. At StutterFox Studies, balanced gameplay via a patch and put hit-box system prototypes through testing at zero cost. Looking to join a dynamic team of progressive, like-minded devs.

The first one wins—

 

And job applications are always sudden death.

 

The first example is focused on what the game designer can do for the employer—

 

Plus, it puts numbers to everything possible.

 

But what if you’re still at the stage of getting friends to follow your Steam page?

 

Write a career objective statement instead—

 

And talk up achievements from unpaid gigs, your personal projects, and even non-game-design jobs.

 

Game Designer Resume Objective

Good Example
Dedicated game designer with 2+ years’ experience working on indie and personal projects. At Stilt Shores, stayed an average of four business days ahead of schedule while producing 240+ pages of dialogue and decision trees for personal project. Seeking opportunity to apply level design and scripting skills in helping CyberBlue consistently meet launch dates.
Bad Example
No experience working for a large studio, but worked consistently on own projects with some success as well as a short stint with Stilt Shores. Looking for a fun group of devs to work with on inoffensive games.

The first one pwns once again.

 

Getting bogged down and looking for a walkthrough?

 

Here’s a cheat:

 

Write your resume profile last.

 

3. Create Compelling Game Design Work History and Skills Sections

 

Untapped potential is one thing—

 

But showing them what you’re actually capable of is much better.

 

Make your resume work history section an endless mode of accomplishments.

 

How to write job descriptions for game designers:

 

  1. Replay the job ad.
  2. Keep any game designer skills and duties in your sights.
  3. Think of times you’ve used those skills to shine.
  4. Write resume bullet points that cover those times, quantifying everything you can.

 

These game design resume examples show how:

 

Game Design Resume Job Description

Good Example

Game Designer

StutterFox Studios

January 2018–present

  • Created LoS (line of sight) mechanic that was praised by 92% of alpha testers.
  • Developed economic model in consultation with two economists and an historian.
  • Balanced gameplay, boosting Steam sales by 18% after patch release.
  • Put 11 hit-box system prototypes through a total of 3,000+ hours of testing at no cost.
Bad Example

Game Designer

StutterFox Studios

2018–present

  • Created innovative LoS (line of sight) mechanic.
  • Developed economic model in consultation with experts.
  • Balanced gameplay via a Steam patch.
  • Put hit-box system prototypes through testing at no cost.

Simple exploit, big payoff.

 

The first example focuses on the value that arose from those duties—

 

It’s concrete and quantified.

 

Both examples make good use of resume power words, though.

 

One more thing—

 

You’ll need a resume skills section.

 

But—

 

Don’t just compile a summary of all the game designer skills you found online.

 

Instead, cover the skills mentioned in the job ad first of all—

 

And don’t add too many more on top of them—less is more.

 

This is a great way to target your resume to each job ad.

 

Skills for a Game Designer Resume

 

Hard skills

 

  • Preparing documentation
  • Game theory
  • Level design
  • Storyboarding
  • Anti-cheat implementation
  • Balancing game difficulty
  • Scripting
  • Agile development
  • Game systems
  • Linux development

 

Soft skills

 

  • Analytical skills
  • Organizational skills
  • Communication skills
  • Creativity
  • Time management
  • Teamwork skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Decision making
  • Problem solving
  • Collaboration

 

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.

 

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOW

 

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOWcreate your resume now

Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You're the perfect candidate, and we'll prove it. Use our resume builder now.

 

4. Turn Your Education from a Loading Screen into a Reason to Hire You

 

Many game designers will have a degree

 

But it isn’t always a deal-breaker if you don’t.

 

Whatever you educational background—

 

Do it justice in your education resume section.

 

List your degrees (with majors), school names, and years attended.

 

Then:

 

Add a couple of bullet points that speak to your skills.

 

This game design resume example shows how:

 

Game Design Resume Example—Education Section

Good Example

BS in Game Design & Development

University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

2012–2016

  • Pursued a passion for human computer interaction coursework.
  • Won Johnston Award for short film (CGI) “Chapixel”.

Experience levels pulsing red and outputting “low”? 

 

Include additional bullet points on projects, classes, and accomplishments.

 

5. Supercharge Your Game Design Resume With Added Sections

 

Time for a powerup:

 

Most resumes for video game designer jobs stop with experience, education, and skills.

 

But that’s such a wasted opportunity.

 

Always add one or two extra sections:

 

 

These two game design resume examples show yes vs no:

 

Game Design Resume Examples—Extra Sections

Good Example

Software and Programming Languages

 

  • CAD: 3DS Max
  • Development environments: Crytek CryEngine, Maya, Unreal Engine
  • Languages: C, C++, Python, Lua, Java

 

Languages

 

  • English – native speaker
  • Polish – native speaker
  • Czech – communicative
Bad Example

Languages

 

  • English, Polish (bilingual), Czech (beginner)

 

Hobbies and Interests

 

  • Rum tasting
  • Weirdcore music
  • Decorating donuts

So, there is a wrong way to do this.

 

The golden rule here is that everything you add has to be clearly and directly relevant to the job at hand.

 

Hobbies and interests are great as long as they’re relevant.

 

Foreign languages are always relevant in a resume—don’t ever hesitate to include them.

 

One final step:

 

You’ll need to write a cover letter to accompany your game designer resume.

 

This part of the game is scripted:

 

Don’t include one if you’ve been asked not to—

 

Otherwise—do.

 

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

 

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

 

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOWcreate your cover letter now

Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

 

Key Points

 

For a game design resume that gets interviews:

 

  • Use the game design resume template up top. It’s a proven formula, like a Rogue-like.
  • Put game designer resume achievementsin your resume profile, work history, and education sections to show rather than tell.
  • Be selective with your game design skills. Stick to what the job ad requires first and foremost and don’t spam ctrl+v to pad out your list.
  • Write a game design cover letter. It’s not like you have a choice, so make the most of it by showcasing your achievements and billboarding your passion.

 

Got any niggling questions on how to write your best ever video game designer resume? Any advice for n00bs? Drop us a line down below—we’ll be happy to get back to you.

Rate my article: game design
Thank you for voting
Average: 5 (2 votes)
Bart Turczynski
Bart Turczynski is a career expert and the Editor-in-chief at ResumeLab. His career advice and commentary has been published by Glassdoor, The Chicago Tribune, Workopolis, The Financial Times, Hewlett-Packard, and CareerBuilder, among others. Bart’s mission is to promote the best, data-informed and up-to-date career advice on ResumeLab’s blog as well as through numerous online communities and publications. At ResumeLab, Bart manages a large team of career experts and editors in delivering top-quality, unique content. Bart’s life-long passion for politics and strong background in psychology makes all the advice published on ResumeLab unique, accurate, and supported by detailed research.

Was it interesting? Here are similar articles

Programmer Resume Examples for 2023 (Also for Entry-Level)

Programmer Resume Examples for 2023 (Also for Entry-Level)

You know how to program, test, and debug. You basically dream in code. But the recruiter doesn't know you from a spambot. Use this programming resume example to prove your worth.

Tom Gerencer, CPRW
Tom Gerencer, CPRW
Career Writer at ResumeLab