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US job code 15-1255.01High change by 2035

Video Game Designers

Machines can already do 40% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 69%. The job changes before it disappears.

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Share of the work machines can do

Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050

100%75%50%25%20262035205040%Half: 2030

Video Game Designers in 2026: the short answer

  • Today: machines can do 40% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 25% of them.
  • Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2030, and 69% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
  • Size: 113,330 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $104,000 a year.
  • Contact with people: it scores 61% for contact with people.
  • Also called: Design Director, Designer, Environmental Artist, Game Design Consultant.
  • Competency here means how well the best AI model, tool or robot available can do a task, scored out of 100: today using the best available now, and for later years the 311 prediction of what AI and robots will be able to do.

Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.

Machines can do today
40%of the tasks, 2026
By 2035
69%half the tasks by 2030
US median pay
$104,000a year, May 2025
US jobs
113k113,330 people
Contact with people
61%how people-facing
Step 1AnticipateWhat is changing? Free to everyone

How the work changes, task by task

The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.

TaskShare of the dayMachines can do2026 to 2035
Balance and adjust gameplay experiences to ensure the critical and commercial success of the product9%
35% to 65%
Develop and maintain design level documentation, including mechanics, guidelines, and mission outlines9%
52% to 80%
Devise missions, challenges, or puzzles to be encountered in game play8%
35% to 65%
Create core game features, including storylines, role-play mechanics, and character biographies for a new video game or game franchise7%
35% to 65%
Create gameplay prototypes for presentation to creative and technical staff and management6%
35% to 65%
Solicit, obtain, and integrate feedback from design and technical staff into original game design5%
30% to 60%
Conduct regular design reviews throughout the game development process5%
25% to 65%
Document all aspects of formal game design, using mock-up screenshots, sample menu layouts, gameplay flowcharts, and other graphical devices5%
70% to 95%
Step 2AssessWhy should I care? Free to everyone

The skills this job runs on

The skills video game designers use most, most used first.

Creative and innovative thinkingDesign and contentAdaptability and resilienceLearning aptitude and mindsetAnalysis and dataIT and softwareCollaborationLeadershipProfessionalism and work ethicCommunicationCritical thinking and problem solvingEntrepreneurial mindsetInterpersonal skillsSelf-management

Human value: what makes people in this job hard to replace

How much video game designers rely on each one, from 0 to 10. 311 estimates, medium confidence.

  • Go-to problem solver7/10
  • Trust and reliability4/10
  • Know-how about the organisation5/10
  • Network and relationships5/10
  • Mentoring and developing others3/10
  • Culture and morale6/10
  • Initiative beyond the role8/10
  • Calm in a crisis6/10
  • Bridge between teams4/10
  • Reputation and influence5/10

Safer jobs nearby

Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.

Step 3ActWhat do I do about it? Free plan and up
What do I do about it

What should you do about it?

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Questions

When will machines do half of the tasks of Video Game Designers?

Machines can do half of its tasks by 2030. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.

Will AI take the job of video game designers?

Machines can do 40% of the tasks of video game designers today and 69% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.

Sources and citing

Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 15-1255.01 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring, forecast and human value: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (human value scores are 311 estimates, medium confidence); after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.

Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Video Game Designers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/video-game-designers/