Common game studio roles and expected skills

Several common roles in a game studio are outlined, with emphasis on the difference between the romanticized image of the job and its actual day-to-day responsibilities. The positions discussed include QA, game design, 3D art, and programming.

QA and game testing

Game QA is described as more than simply playing games. The role centers on trying to break features, exploring unusual use cases, and documenting exact reproduction steps when something fails. An MMO inventory example is used to illustrate this mindset: the tester checks unexpected interactions and edge cases rather than only normal play.

Documentation is presented as a major part of QA work. More experienced QA staff may also write automated tests, reducing the need to repeat all manual test cases before release.

Game design

Game design is described as a broad field with multiple specializations, including systems design, implementation design, economy design, quest design, and level design. The role is not framed as merely having ideas. Instead, the central requirement is the ability to evaluate, refine, communicate, and execute ideas within production constraints.

Design work includes writing detailed documentation, discussing implementation cost with developers, and adjusting proposals to fit company goals. Because designers sit between multiple departments and decision-makers, the role is portrayed as central but also pressured.

Additional technical skills are treated as a major advantage for designers. Basic scripting knowledge in higher-level languages such as Lua or TypeScript is mentioned, and familiarity with Unreal Engine Blueprints is presented as useful support for implementation work.

3D art roles

3D art is presented as another multi-specialty discipline. Examples include character art, environment art, prop art, and animation. The choice of specialization is linked to personal preference, such as focusing on characters, biomes, or environmental detail.

The expected toolset includes widely used 3D packages such as ZBrush, Maya, Blender, and Substance Painter. A portfolio hosted on ArtStation is described as a strong part of an application. Applicants are encouraged to compare their work with that of artists already employed at the target studio and to study the studio's visual style. A close stylistic match is treated as a major advantage in getting an interview.

Programming roles

Programming is described as one of the most sought-after but also most difficult paths into a game studio. Not every language is considered equally useful for a professional game-development career, though prior programming experience of any kind is still treated as helpful.

C++ is presented as the strongest language choice for studio work because of its performance and its central role in game development. It is also described as complex, so a simpler starting point such as C is suggested for building foundations (caption wording around engine examples is partly unclear). Unreal Engine Blueprints are described as useful visual scripting, but not sufficient on their own to establish someone as a programmer.

Applicants for programming roles are advised to provide a public GitHub profile with organized repositories and code they are proud of. Honesty about experience level is emphasized, with junior applications preferred over overstating skills. Continued learning is treated as essential because the industry changes quickly.

Source

• Recording: How to Get a Job in a Game Studio | Game Dev Secrets from a CEO
• YouTube: Watch on YouTube
• Published: Friday, September 5, 2025 at 1:00 PM UTC