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Game Programming vs. Game Design

What are the differences between game programming and game design?
game programmer typing on keyboard

To an industry outsider, the distinction between game design and game programming might seem negligible, but if you plan to make a career out of one or the other, you need to know what's different. It's not quite night vs. day, but you could definitely call it concept vs. execution.

Game Design vs Game Development

While game designers focus on the creative aspects of game development, such as designing gameplay mechanics, characters, and narratives, game developers handle the technical implementation of those designs. Game developers write code and work on programming, bringing the game designer's vision to life through interactive experiences. Game design and game development are distinct yet interconnected disciplines that collaborate to create immersive and enjoyable video games.

While there is little overlap between the two careers, they do go hand in hand. A game can't be created without both the designer and programmer working closely together from start to finish. Game designers are responsible for the overall creative vision of the game while programmers have the technological know-how to implement the game designers' ideas and bring them to life using computer code. That's only the surface of what these jobs cover within a company, however.

What Is Game Programming?

Game programming involves taking the design specifications of the game designers, integrating the art and sound, and translating it all into a playable game. Doing this requires a lot of mathematics, logic and computer skills, particularly in the area of programming languages like C/C++, scripting languages and application programming interfaces or APIs.

The programming of a game is a complex endeavor and includes the following:

  • Mapping the terrain of the game environment
  • Implementing artificial intelligence for non-player characters
  • Connecting player input via the controller to the events happening onscreen

It's no wonder that programmers account for a huge proportion of employees at any given game studio. There are also a number of sub-specialties within game programming, which may include these (among others):

  • Graphics programming
  • Network programming
  • AI programming

Becoming a Game Programmer

Like other software engineers, game programmers usually hold a bachelor's degree or higher in a discipline such as computer science or software engineering. Essentially, the most important prerequisite to the job is proficiency with at least one of the major programming languages used in gaming. Familiarity with the game industry is also a plus.

What Does a Game Designer Do?

A game designer differs from a programmer in that this is a much more holistic and creative career than a programming career. Game designers have an innate knowledge of what gamers want in a game, and they possess the ability to see the "big picture" as far as a particular game goes. They study how the game will work and flow from start to finish. Some designers have experience as programmers or as software developers, but not all have knowledge of graphic design. On the job game designers accomplish the following:

  • Create the structure of the game, how it will be played and what its rules will be
  • Collaborate with all members of the team to successfully bring the game to market
  • Develop the game's layout, concept and gameplay
  • Create and manage product documentation
  • Entry-level designers may focus on simpler tasks, such as level design or object placement in the game

Becoming a Game Designer

Traditionally game designers earn a bachelor's degree in game production or game art and design in order to enter the field. Game developers usually look for candidates with a genuine passion for gaming, good problem-solving abilities, analytical skills, and willingness to work well within a team when they hire game designer roles.

Salaries

Because it is a technically skilled occupation, game programmers earn competitive salaries and are often among the highest-paid professionals in the game production industry. Game programmers are part of the larger field of software developers. Game designers work closely with developers and may report to them on the job.

Computer Programmers

National data

Median Salary: $97,800

Projected job growth: -11.2%

10th Percentile: $54,310

25th Percentile: $72,460

75th Percentile: $124,060

90th Percentile: $157,690

Projected job growth: -11.2%

State data

State Median Salary Bottom 10% Top 10%
Alabama $94,930 $59,280 $122,740
Alaska $96,620 $63,230 $137,300
Arizona $73,700 $53,300 $131,050
Arkansas $78,710 $40,690 $137,660
California $116,140 $64,240 $174,570
Colorado $101,050 $58,260 $205,900
Connecticut $93,200 $59,490 $124,370
Delaware $90,120 $63,730 $130,800
District of Columbia $91,670 $76,590 $162,760
Florida $87,430 $48,590 $135,360
Georgia $83,320 $54,970 $134,540
Hawaii N/A N/A N/A
Idaho $70,410 $47,220 $130,580
Illinois $81,950 $51,900 $126,250
Indiana $81,180 $52,260 $143,500
Iowa $83,730 $55,140 $123,710
Kansas $58,830 $43,740 $106,200
Kentucky $74,560 $58,200 $125,310
Louisiana N/A N/A N/A
Maine $70,420 $43,180 $159,990
Maryland $104,900 $65,750 $149,090
Massachusetts $107,730 $81,540 $143,380
Michigan $79,720 $43,230 $191,650
Minnesota N/A N/A N/A
Mississippi $68,230 $42,050 $99,590
Missouri $71,630 $35,770 $120,050
Montana $81,650 $54,500 $154,760
Nebraska $95,350 $51,820 $129,170
Nevada $91,590 $57,550 $142,940
New Hampshire $74,610 $47,190 $113,730
New Jersey $98,390 $63,840 $177,130
New Mexico $65,560 $42,990 $113,390
New York $101,300 $65,110 $167,620
North Carolina $101,080 $60,510 $153,780
North Dakota $80,490 $59,380 $124,110
Ohio $85,740 $38,850 $128,270
Oklahoma $85,710 $52,000 $123,150
Oregon $102,210 $61,800 $164,750
Pennsylvania $86,350 $56,990 $127,390
Rhode Island $84,590 $64,230 $133,860
South Carolina $96,730 $58,030 $134,170
South Dakota $67,430 $46,810 $90,560
Tennessee N/A N/A N/A
Texas $88,000 $49,440 $140,900
Utah $93,460 $58,900 $158,060
Vermont $81,450 $53,160 $117,020
Virginia $108,420 $58,470 $191,480
Washington $127,600 $73,810 $172,140
West Virginia $60,520 $37,480 $99,250
Wisconsin $93,960 $60,510 $142,110
Wyoming $83,340 $51,050 $113,160

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2022 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.

Software Developers

National data

Median Salary: $127,260

Projected job growth: 25.7%

10th Percentile: $71,280

25th Percentile: $96,790

75th Percentile: $161,480

90th Percentile: $198,100

Projected job growth: 25.7%

State data

State Median Salary Bottom 10% Top 10%
Alabama $103,520 $58,930 $170,710
Alaska $134,210 $83,870 $196,440
Arizona $110,380 $77,240 $171,380
Arkansas $87,880 $38,880 $130,430
California $164,330 $97,190 N/A
Colorado $129,920 $80,870 $180,090
Connecticut $110,420 $73,990 $171,290
Delaware $118,450 $80,760 $167,230
District of Columbia $135,230 $87,760 $185,240
Florida $107,440 $61,150 $167,810
Georgia $122,430 $68,240 $167,640
Hawaii $103,210 $56,160 $166,780
Idaho $101,440 $41,600 $152,190
Illinois $118,470 $67,560 $171,450
Indiana $100,510 $57,010 $139,610
Iowa $103,580 $64,910 $139,600
Kansas $102,700 $60,300 $159,970
Kentucky $100,320 $64,500 $148,470
Louisiana $102,670 $63,850 $158,920
Maine $104,430 $65,880 $148,890
Maryland $129,810 $80,720 $205,720
Massachusetts $132,330 $82,780 $180,080
Michigan $101,070 $61,090 $140,120
Minnesota $110,600 $74,520 $161,300
Mississippi $91,750 $52,470 $148,530
Missouri $101,650 $51,070 $148,680
Montana N/A N/A N/A
Nebraska $106,720 $64,620 $140,440
Nevada $107,920 $72,740 $175,530
New Hampshire $125,280 $78,300 $177,470
New Jersey $127,900 $75,340 $178,730
New Mexico $100,750 $61,240 $174,090
New York $135,090 $78,840 $210,520
North Carolina $126,520 $72,940 $176,160
North Dakota $84,860 $41,920 $132,320
Ohio $104,500 $65,260 $149,660
Oklahoma $99,510 $57,620 $158,650
Oregon $121,230 $65,820 $172,630
Pennsylvania $107,170 $66,610 $166,310
Rhode Island $129,690 $77,310 N/A
South Carolina $98,630 $65,000 $155,950
South Dakota $80,290 $61,320 $112,450
Tennessee $103,270 $56,180 $151,290
Texas $111,700 $67,580 $165,920
Utah $107,990 $50,650 $170,980
Vermont $99,250 $60,340 $153,150
Virginia $130,980 $74,460 $204,270
Washington $151,930 $83,800 $218,390
West Virginia $88,190 $53,240 $140,050
Wisconsin $100,310 $61,730 $138,280
Wyoming $101,410 $53,420 $143,880

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2022 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.

The game industry is highly desirable, though. Competition for jobs can be more intense than in other areas of software programming and designing—so don't bypass any knowledge or education that can give you an edge.

Game Design Degree & Career Guide