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Choosing between game design and game development starts with understanding your strengths. Whether you're drawn to storytelling or building, exploring both paths can help you decide which direction fits you best in the world of gaming.
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Approved and verified accurate by the Assistant Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology on Oct. 22, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
While Artificial Intelligence (AI) is advancing rapidly, it's unlikely to fully replace game designers any time soon.9 AI excels at data-driven tasks like procedural content generation, playtesting and personalizing player experiences, but it lacks the creativity, emotional insight and ethical judgment that human designers bring to game development.9 AI is embedded into the game’s process.
Game design is about crafting meaningful, engaging experiences for people, something AI can't yet replicate on its own. Instead of replacing designers, AI is expected to augment their work, handling repetitive tasks so humans can focus on creativity and innovation.9
With over 3.3 billion people playing video games worldwide — and projections pointing to more than 3.5 billion by 2025 — the need for engaging, innovative content continues to grow.6 Much of this expansion is fueled by rising smartphone access, opening doors for new audiences and fresh creative possibilities.7
Game development builds skills in systems programming, AI and real-time graphics, which are valuable in fields like computer system design and interactive media, technical consulting, simulation and software engineering.8 Game design focuses on the business and creative side — marketing, branding, storytelling, level design, user experience and mechanics — and can apply to industries such as marketing and retail firms, public relations and virtual reality.8
Dr. Artzi helps clarify students' confusion about the distinct career tracks in game design and game development.
Game development career options include:
Game development industries include:
Game design career options include:
Game design industries include:
For students considering a BS in Game Development or a BA in Game Design, Dr. Artzi suggests an active landscape where technical skills and artistic vision can intersect in meaningful ways. While no path guarantees a specific outcome, the sheer scale of the industry offers a wide array of roles to explore — from gameplay programming and level design to UX, narrative and beyond.
Both game designers and game developers play essential roles in bringing interactive experiences to life — one focuses on business and creativity, the other on technical execution and deployment. "Having spent many years in the industry, I've learned that the most successful professionals don't choose between creative and technical — they embrace both,” says Dr. Isac Artzi, associate professor in the College of Engineering and Technology.
When asked what advice he would give his students who are struggling to choose a path between video game designer vs. developer, here is what Dr. Artzi shared:
“When students come to me torn between game design and game development, I share my own journey: I've developed iPhone apps that required hardcore programming skills but also created multimedia simulations for physics education that demanded creative storytelling. My advice? Start with your natural inclination, but commit to understanding the other side. In my visual and game programming courses, I've seen technically-minded students discover their creative voice through shader programming, and artistic students find deep satisfaction in the logic of code. The gaming industry doesn't need more siloed specialists — it needs bridge-builders who can translate between artists and engineers."
According to Dr. Artzi, the chart below highlights a few key differences to help simplify your decision-making process. It offers a quick side-by-side comparison and answers questions such as what is a video game designer and game developer?, making it easier to see which path may better match your skills, interests and long-term goals:
Dr. Artzi also lays out some of the main considerations you should assess before choosing which path is right for you:
As the gaming industry surges toward a projected $212 billion by 2026, choosing a program that matches your strengths — while staying open to learning across disciplines — can set the stage for a career you may find rewarding.2
Design. Develop. Game On!
Explore video game designer vs. developer at GCU and build the skills to shape your future in gaming.
Dr. Artzi helps explain the difference between game design and game development and how they both focus on different parts of creating a game. Game design shapes the player experience through mechanics, story, levels and interface, requiring creativity, technical literacy and teamwork.3
Game development brings those ideas to life by handling engine architecture, graphics, physics, networking and optimization.4 Artzi says it demands strong math skills, patience for debugging and a commitment to learning new technologies.5 Together, design and development turn creative ideas into playable experiences.
We asked Dr. Artzi what he teaches in his classes that leaves the biggest impact on students pursuing either path. Here is what he says:
“The most transformative concept I teach — whether in my operating systems, Python programming or database courses — is that technology is fundamentally about human experience. I show students that every technical decision has human consequences. This cross-disciplinary thinking helps students see that whether they're programming physics engines or designing game narratives, they're ultimately crafting human experiences. That's what makes them invaluable in the industry — not just their technical skills or creative vision, but their ability to understand the human element in everything they build."
“The two programs are very different, with very different curricula and career paths. They cater to very different populations as well. They are as different as plumbers vs. interior decorators — but they serve the same industry (just like plumbers and decorators both serve homes).”
— Dr. Isac Artzi, associate professor in the College of Engineering and Technology
At GCU, the distinction between game design and game development is more than academics: “We don't just teach theory — we open doors to real experience,” says Dr. Artzi, who mentors students through projects ranging from mobile apps to AI research. His work on research and development committees and industry relationships helps connect students directly with professionals.
If you’re unsure of your path, GCU offers ways to explore both game design and game development. Foundational courses and interdisciplinary projects between the College of Engineering and Technology and the College of Arts and Media can help you build a well-rounded skill set.
