A level designer is someone who creates levels, environments and puzzles for video games. In this article we will disscuss about Game Level Designer Job Description, Salary, Skills & Software required
What does a level designer do?
A game level designer is responsible for creating the environments, puzzles and challenges that players will encounter in a video game. They work with the game’s artists and programmers to ensure that their vision for the game is realized. Level designers must be able to think creatively and outside the box to come up with new and innovative ideas for levels. They must also be able to work within the constraints of the game engine and the overall game design.
Game Level Designer Job Description
- This role will own the creation of game maps for an FPS Shooter game (not top down, but will be first person/third person) for mobile and PC.
- This role will work within a small and agile level design team working in collaboration with the Game Design and Art team to create game maps in line with the vision and emotional experience of the game.
- Project BLACK does not contain linear story-based levels, rather it has sandbox open-world maps with environmental storytelling.
Game Level Designer Responsibilities
- Conceptualize and create shooter maps
- You will design, prototype, and iterate on block-out levels in parallel with the development of our core gameplay.
- You will implement gameplay elements and level features working closely with the design team as well as other disciplines.
- You will work with the Art team as they integrate their 3D assets on your block-out levels.
- Iterate with feedback
- You will join playtests for the levels and iterate on your levels based on internal and external feedback.
- You will be involved in other aspects of game design, art, engineering and optimisation and iterate on levels based on changes.
- Own the vision and end goal
- In this role, you will have the opportunity to directly contribute to and collaboratively impact the vision of an ambitious cross-platform shooter game.
- You will keep up to date with level design trends within video game development and own solutions that will innovate both the player experience
Experience
- Experience in building 3D levels in a game engine.
- Experience with Unity and/or Unity level building tools like probuilder.
- Experience in building levels for 3rd person games.
- Portfolio of professional or person level design work.
Skills
- Ability to create levels/map and combat scenarios that evoke specific emotions.
- Ability to work with cross functional teams and iterate based on feedback.
- Ability to pitch and convey ideas to cross functional teams.
- A strong appreciation of competitive PVP games.
What software and tools do level designers use?
Level Designers use a broad variety of resources that reflects their variety of responsibilities. They will work with graphics, 2D and 3D animation software, game engines, and programming languages throughout the game development process.
Level Designers may need knowledge of the following software:
- Game Engine like Unity 3D and Unreal Engine
- Microsoft Office Software for documents, spreadsheets & presentations
- Art software Like Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator for a visual design, flowcharting, mind mapping
- Jira & Bug Tracking Software
- Scripting Languages & Tools likes Python, LUA, C#, Unreal Script, Blueprints
- Programming languages C++ and Python are also commonly used in Game Design
How much does a level designer make?
In the US, average salary for the video game designer in Industry are as follows:
- Junior Level: $55,000
- Mid Level: $80,000
- Senior Level: $111,000
- Lead/Manager Level: $135,000
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