This document describes 4 job roles within the creative media sector: Game Designer, Gaming Programmer, Level Editor, and QA Tester. It provides details about the typical work, skills, and qualifications needed for each role. Game Designers design new games and work with artists and programmers. Programmers write the code to run games and adapt libraries. Level Editors create interactive game levels and environments. QA Testers systematically test games to identify bugs and other issues before public release. Education, training, work experience, and volunteering are discussed as ways to gain employment in these creative media sector roles.

2. CHOOSE 4 JOB ROLES WITHIN THE CREATIVE
MEDIA SECTOR
• Research these roles, describe the specific sector they belong to and
the role they play within the media sector
• Describe the aim of the role, what would be a typical “Day in the Life…”
• Describe the difference types of work and contracts these jobs have
including full-time; part-time; freelance; permanent; temporary;
voluntary; casual; etc

3. JOB ROLE 1
Game Designer
If you love computer games and enjoy using your imagination, this could be ideal for you. Computer games developers
produce games for PCs and games consoles. They also produce games for the internet and mobile phones. The
work could involve making new games or updating existing titles.Most computer games developers have a
qualification. However employers may be more interested in your software skills and experience.
To do this role, you will need to:
•be able to work in collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams
•be able to communicate your vision to artists, programmers, producers, marketing
staff, and others involved in the development process
•be able to accept constructive feedback on your work
•be able to present your ideas both verbally and on paper
•be imaginative and creative
•have good written and verbal communication skills
•have good basic visual design and drawing skills
•be reasonably fluent in a range of 2D and 3D graphics and animation packages, such
as 3D Studio Max, NUKE or Maya
•have some programming skills at least at ‘scripting’ level
•have an awareness of the various games platforms and technologies
•possess a thorough understanding of game play theory

4. JOB ROLE 2
Gaming Programmer
Game Programmers work at the heart of the game development process. They design
and write the computer code that runs and controls the game, incorporating and
adapting any ready-made code libraries and writing custom code as required. They
test the code and fix bugs, and also develop customised tools for use by other
members of the development team.
Different platforms (games consoles, PCs, handhelds, mobiles, etc.) have particular
programming requirements and there are also various specialisms within
programming, such as physics programming, AI (artificial intelligence), 3D engine
development, interface and control systems.
Games development is an increasingly complex process and large teams of
Programmers might be involved in creating a game, some in leadership roles,
some working on just one aspect.
Programmers are employed by development studios – publisher-owned and
independent. They also work for middle ware producers, an increasingly important
sector providing cross-platform graphics rendering, game physics, sound
management, AI, and other specialist tools. Programmers might also work for
localisation companies which translate and re-version games for different
territories.
To do this role, you will need to:
•be able to programme in C++, C and other programming languages
•be systematic and highly organised
•be able to work on your own initiative and as part of a team
•have good communication skills
•have specific platform experience, e.g. Wii, PlayStation, Xbox

5. JOB ROLE 3
The Level Editor
The Level Editor defines and creates interactive architecture for a segment of a game, including the
landscape, buildings and objects.
They must be true to the overall design specification, using the characters and story elements defined by the
Game Designer, but they often have considerable freedom to vary the specific look and feel of the level
for which they are responsible. They define the environment, general layout of the spaces within the
level, and lighting, textures, and forms. The define the characters and objects involved, whether they are
player-controlled or non-player characters, and any specific behaviours associated with the characters
and objects.
They also develop the gameplay for the level, which includes the challenges that the characters face and the
actions they must take to overcome them. The architecture helps to define those challenges by
presenting obstacles, places to hide, tests of skill, and other elements to explore and interact with.
The setting and atmosphere devised by the Level Editor can also give the player clues about different ways of
progressing though the level and the game as a whole.
The Level Editor first sketches ideas on paper or using 2D drawing software. They have to imagine the playing
experience, putting themselves in the position of the player, mapping out all the possibilities.
To do this role, you will need to:
•have good spatial and layout design skills
•have knowledge of 3D modelling and a firm grasp of game design principles
•have the ability to visualise layouts
•have a practical understanding of programming and scripting language to work closely with artists and
programmers
•be able to train the QA Testers to play the game
•have IT skills and competence in the use of world-editing tools
•have knowledge of different platforms
•be very well organised
•be able to work both independently and as part of a team
•

6. JOB ROLE 4
QA Tester
Quality Assurance Technicians, or Testers, perform a vital role. They test, tune, debug and suggest
the detailed refinements that ensure the quality and playability of the finished game. They play-test
the game in a systematic way, analysing the game’s performance against the designer’s
intentions, identifying problems and suggesting improvements.
They test for bugs in the software, from complete crashes to minor glitches in the programme. They
also act as the game’s first audience, reporting on its playability and identifying any aspects
which could be improved.
Playing games all day for a living might sound like an ideal job, but this is in fact a highly disciplined
role.
They are responsible for assuring quality in the final product and for finding all the flaws in a game
before it goes public. They look for programme bugs - spelling mistakes, localisation problems
(variations of the game are required for different territories), graphical or audio glitches, and
also any copyright issues.
QA Testers must know which issues are the most important and be able to prioritise them for fixing.
They work to deadlines and must understand production and marketing schedules. They
normally use a software quality management system to document findings.
They work in teams, sometimes playing together on a multi-player game or a team might ‘own’ part
of a game.
To do this role, you will need to:
•be analytical and methodical
•have a good knowledge of games titles on the market so that you can evaluate a game against its
competition
•have an understanding of how games are put together and how the different elements of a game
contribute to the playing experience
•be able not only to identify and record a problem, but also to try to work out what is causing it
•have excellent communication skills, including tact in dealing with other members of the team
•pay close attention to detail
•be persistent and patient

7. GAINING EMPLOYMENT IN THE MEDIA SECTOR
• Describe how you would hope to gain employment within this role e.g.
education, training, work experience and volunteering
• Describe possible career paths within the industry e.g. where might you
be in a years’ time, five years’ time or 10 years’ time.

8. GAINING EMPLOYMENT THROUGH EDUCATION

9. GAINING EMPLOYMENT THROUGH TRAINING

10. GAINING EMPLOYMENT THROUGH WORK
EXPERIENCE AND VOLUNTEERING