In the world of game development, there is a vast array of roles and specialties. At Kreonit, where professionals occupy various positions, we understand the importance of clearly defining each role’s responsibilities. This is particularly crucial for those starting their journey in the industry, dreaming of creating a cohesive development team, or choosing a profession to build a successful career.
The problem is that terms are often used ambiguously, and the same position can imply different responsibilities in different companies. This can confuse even experienced specialists, let alone those taking their first significant steps. We aim to help you navigate this complexity by outlining the primary roles and their functions, eliminating many common questions.
Imagine you’re just starting in a team of three and think you can do without a producer. In reality, one of you is already performing this role, just not realizing it yet. The question is whether you need another specialist for this position, but that’s another discussion. The main point is to understand that every role is essential and often looks different in practice than it does on paper.
Let’s dive into the exciting world of game development and explore the various roles and responsibilities so you can better navigate this complex industry.
Game Designer
Game designers, also known as game-designers, create and describe game mechanics or detail them based on briefs and directives. Their main skill is to fine-tune mechanics, balance the game, and sometimes write scripts. In free-to-play projects, game designers may focus heavily on mathematics, becoming specialized mathematicians, or “Einsteins” in their field.
In a company structure, there can be different levels of game designers: Lead Game Designer, Senior Game Designer, and Junior Game Designer. They may work on both high-level and low-level design. Low-level design involves precise game parameter adjustments, testing, tweaking, and retesting.
Level Designer
Level designers, although often considered part of game design, play a separate and invaluable role. They focus on player interaction with the game environment, developing levels and locations. Level designers work with level editors, placing objects and creating detailed game spaces.
Developer
Developers, or programmers, are undoubtedly a key part of game creation. They specialize in specific programming languages like C++ and C# and work within specific software environments or technologies. Some developers specialize in engines, such as Unreal Engine 5, writing scripts in Blueprints rather than C++.
Developers don’t work in isolation and usually have a specialization that they can change and expand. If you need a developer for Unreal Engine 5, it’s often better to look for a C++ specialist who can quickly learn the necessary technology.
CTO (Chief Technical Officer)
The CTO, or Chief Technical Officer, is typically a highly skilled programmer or developer, essential to the team. They have in-depth knowledge of the technology stack and are responsible for all technical aspects of development and technology implementation.
Product Owner
In SCRUM terminology (and its derivatives), the Product Owner defines tasks (features, user stories) and hands them over to the Project Manager. The Product Owner rarely holds a standalone position; more often, it is a role performed by the project’s main visionary. They are responsible for defining the team’s tasks and priorities.
Project Manager
The Project Manager develops the project plan, breaks tasks into smaller parts, and assigns them to specialists. In a standard setup, they don’t need to create anything new or even play games; the key is to understand and manage the production process.
Although some IT companies insist that Project Managers should have technical education and certifications, this isn’t always the case. In reality, many companies define this role differently, sometimes combining several roles into one. For example, in mobile games, Project Managers with analytics elements may be called “operation producers.”
Producer
The producer is a multifaceted role with responsibilities that vary depending on the company and project. Simply put, a producer is an arbitrator resolving disputes among specialists and departments, deciding what’s good and what’s bad.
In small studios, they frequently perform game design functions, even acting as the lead game designer. A producer may embody the project’s vision, combining roles of Product Owner and Creative Director. They might also take on Art Director duties or oversee the Art Director’s work. As a result, producers can be “jacks of all trades,” which can help quickly resolve issues but can sometimes hinder other specialists’ work.
It’s important to note that we’re talking about internal producers — team members. There are also external producers.
External Producer
An external producer is essentially a type of account manager not part of your team. Typically assigned by the publisher, an external producer interacts with your internal producer, provides feedback and suggestions, and reports to their superiors, approving plans and funding. They might use the leverage of “no funding until you deliver” to push their ideas.
An external producer can range from a student to an experienced professional who has produced dozens of successful games. Often, they are somewhere between these extremes. Which option is best for you depends on the specific situation.
Line Producer
The term “line producer” is rare in the game industry but worth mentioning. A line producer acts as an assistant to the producer, potentially including some project management functions.
Executive Producer
This title is often used for company co-founders or those with a high-level connection to the project. For example, if a co-founder suggested an idea for the game, they might be designated as the executive producer. Besides this interesting case, the executive producer can also be the lead among several producers, delegating routine tasks to subordinates.
Creative Director
In some circles, “creative director” often refers to people creating promotional materials like banners. However, in the game industry, the creative director embodies the product’s vision. If the project’s lead producer is not the creative director, this can raise questions about the project’s management structure.
Art Director
The Art Director, sometimes called the Lead Artist, is responsible for creating and maintaining the game’s art style. They modify the style, review all game art, and ensure its quality. In some cases, the Art Director may be a technical specialist, personally adjusting the lighting in the engine. In small and medium-sized teams, the Art Director role might be shared by individuals with other titles, such as Lead Artist or Producer. Sometimes, someone unrelated to production, like an investor’s spouse, may take on this role.
3D Artist
A 3D artist creates 3D models in graphics packages and often textures them. Depending on their specialization, a 3D artist may perform specific tasks. For example, an Environment Artist focuses on modeling environments but not characters.
2D Artist
A 2D artist creates two-dimensional images in graphic editors. These can include promo art, atmospheric art for production purposes, concept art, 2D assets for the game, sketches for modelers, interface elements, and more, depending on the project.
VFX Artist
A VFX Artist creates visual effects such as explosions, rocket trails, and anything related to dynamic object changes. They may also integrate these effects into the game.
Narrative Designer / Writer
A Narrative Designer or Writer creates various texts depending on the game. This can include the storyline, dialogues, accompanying texts, item descriptions, and more. In large projects like Red Dead Redemption 2, professional writers handle the narrative, capable of crafting blockbuster scripts.
Animator
An Animator animates 3D models and exports and sets up animations in the engine. There are also 2D animators who are closer to 2D artists, with overlapping functions.
UI/UX Designer
UI/UX design is often handled not only by specialists with the title “UI/UX Designer” but also by core team members, such as game designers. UI designers, responsible for drawing UI elements and improving usability, may not know the game well. Therefore, initial interface design (mockups) is usually done by someone who understands the game and its features. The UI designer then refines the elements, enhances their visual aspect, and makes suggestions.
A programmer integrates the interface into the engine, a process requiring careful checking since things rarely go perfectly the first time.
Composer / Sound Engineer
The Composer and Sound Engineer are two different roles, but in small teams, they are often combined into one person, possibly an external specialist. The Composer creates music, while the Sound Engineer handles sound effects (SFX) like character footsteps, door creaks, and shell casings. The Sound Engineer also sets up the audio in the engine.
The creation of sounds can vary depending on the budget and situation: from using sound libraries to recording sounds at a shooting range and processing them later.
QA / Tester
QA specialists or testers are responsible for game testing. Testing goals include bug catching, overall product functionality, and technical compliance with platform guidelines. Many team members informally test builds and provide feedback.
Formal testing can be performed by a dedicated specialist or an entire department using their methodology. QA is often external, and many companies specialize in different types of testing, from bug catching to organizing focus groups.
Business Development Manager / Business Development Director
The Business Development Manager or Director (also known as “biz dev“) is responsible for developing the company and securing deals. The term varies across companies, covering roles from deal-makers to staff handing out business cards at exhibitions, offering services like game localization or traffic provision.
Analyst
Analysts work with metrics, especially in online projects. They study data, analyze the market, and draw conclusions to improve the product. If you’re developing a narrative shooter for PC, you’ll likely need to handle analytics yourself.
PR Manager
The PR Manager promotes the product or company. Their duties vary greatly depending on the company’s position in the market and other factors. A PR Manager may work with influencers, write articles, and participate in exhibitions, talking about the game. In small teams, the main visionary often takes on PR duties if they have adequate communication skills.
Community Manager
The Community Manager works with the player community, actively interacting on social media, running contests, and organizing events. This role is often considered a subset of the PR Manager’s responsibilities.
Importance of Understanding Roles
As mentioned, terminology in the game industry can vary, and specific positions can encompass unexpected roles. However, it’s crucial to understand the basics and clearly define what you want from a specialist. Skills can vary, but some things are obvious. For instance, a producer should understand game design, a level designer shouldn’t be expected to pitch projects, and a game designer shouldn’t be required to have community management experience.
Summary
Summarizing, the outlined project development algorithm helps clarify the game creation process. The team at Kreonit is ready to assist you at all stages of development and share useful advice for those starting their game dev journey.
Throughout this article, we’ve emphasized that deciding what game you’re developing is about half the battle. The other critical factor is how you plan to develop it. If you have any questions, it’s often best to consult professionals to ensure your project turns out as planned.
The Kreonit team is always ready to share their experience and knowledge to help you confidently enter the world of game development and achieve success.
Contact us for professional support and advice, and together, we’ll create something great!
