Game designer

From FIFA to Fortnite or Minecraft to Mario – video games are no longer just a hobby. In fact, they're now a way of life for people of all ages. You can play all sorts of games on computers, consoles, the internet or mobile phones.

As a game designer, you’ll create ideas, characters and stories or work on animations. You could come up with your own ideas or work from an existing concept, like a game based on a film.

Games can take months, or even years, to produce. You'll be involved in many stages of development before a title is finally released.

You’ll work as part of a team alongside developers, programmers, animators and quality assurance testers. You'll all pull together to make sure the game is produced on time and within budget.

You could also go freelance or become an independent (indie) games developer. These aren’t easy options and your success relies on lots of experience and networking.

Your tasks might include:

• planning and developing different elements of a game – such as levels, characters and plots

• deciding what a game will look like then designing storyboards and writing scripts

• presenting and selling your ideas to the rest of the team

• working with quality assurance (QA) testers to fix any bugs

• collaborating with developers, artists and programmers to build a game prototype

• developing and writing the rules of the game

• TIGA – check out this network for gaming professionals and digital publishers

• The BAFTA Scholarship Programme – learn about financial support for talented UK nationals studying film, games or TV