Systems Designer Job Description, Salary, Skills & Software

What does a systems designer do?

A system designer is the creator of the software systems that will power a video game. They are brought in early in the development process to analyze the scope and design of the game to set up the platforms that will bring the game to life.

Based on the genre and mechanics of the game the System Designer will assist in establishing the development of the project. They will assemble the suite of technical resources that the game requires, and identify any custom software that needs to be scripted for the game.

System Designers will identify which elements of the game require artificial intelligence (AI), fighting features, scoring rules, etc. They must also manage the system performance of the game, ensuring it has the power to deal with rapid gameplay and the demands that the players place on the game to make for compelling gameplay.

The prototyping process at the start of game development and the quality assurance process at the end of development are overseen by the System Designers. The prototype will test the concept of the game, inform how the game should be developed and alert to any issues that may arise during development. The QA process will test the game in its later iterations and inform of the glitches that need to be ironed out before the game heads to distribution.

STUDY GAME DEVELOPMENT

Systems designer job description

System Designers take on a role similar to a computer hardware engineer, yet their role can also be strong on creativity and problem-solving duties. They may be required to track character progression from concept to implementation, defining crafting elements, skill trees and level tables.

Role & responsibilities of a systems designer in the gaming industry:

Research and analyze resources available in the market
Assemble all software and hardware required
Data entry and management of game database assets
Produce prototypes, oversee testing and implement changes
Create customized software
Iterate, polish and balance player progression and experience
Tuning and balance of game data
Oversee quality assurance process and implement changes

Skills required to become a systems designer for games

Apart from computer and software platform expertise, the System Designer will need to specialize in a number of skills that are specific to game development.

Video game studios may look for the following skills in systems designers:

Strong critical and analytical thinking
Expert knowledge of gaming software and hardware
Adept at problem-solving
Advanced communication skills
Team leadership experience
Knowledge of gameplay scripting
Strong understanding of stat curves, player progression systems, and game play loops
Ability to identify, break down, and define core mechanics
Knowledge of game production pipeline and 3D game engines

What software and tools do systems designers use?

System Designers should have a solid knowledge of 3D animation, illustration and programming languages. They will need to assemble the software and hardware requirements for the duration of the game development process. Some customized software may need to be developed for the purposes of the game. The System Designer will need to factor in the resources for software development within the production process.

Systems designers may need knowledge of a combination of the following software: