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.

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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:

• Graphic Design Resume Example
• Artist Resume/Artist CV Example
• Creative Director Resume Example
• Film Resume Example
• Video Editor Resume Example
• Web Designer Resume Examples
• Tutor Resume Example 
• IT Resume Example
• Android Developer Resume Example
• Computer Science (CS) Resume Example
• Entry Level Software Engineer Resume Example
• Software Engineer Resume Example
• High School Resume Example
• Internship Resume Example
• Student Resume Example
• College Freshman Resume Example
• College Student Resume Example
• Entry Level Resume Examples
• Resume for Graduate School Application
• College Application Resume Example
• High School Graduate Resume Example
• Recent College Graduate Resume Example
• Scholarship Resume Example
• Resume for Teens Example

Game Design Resume Sample

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

• Use the reverse-chronological resume format to put your most recent hits first.
• Go with a sensible resume font like a Noto in 11–12 pt.
• Lock your resume margins in at one inch and leave plenty of white space besides.
• Send in a one-page resume. Go to a second page only if you have tons of experience.
• Include at least these resume sections: Resume Header, Profile (Summary or Objective), Experience, Education, and Skills.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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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

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:

• Additional Activities
• Foreign Languages
• Classes Taken
• Awards on a Resume
• Hobbies and Interests
• Volunteering on a Resume
• Certifications
• Professional References

These two game design resume examples show yes vs no:

Game Design Resume Examples—Extra Sections

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

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.

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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.

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