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The differences between game technicians and game designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a game technician, becoming a game designer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a game designer has an average salary of $87,645, which is higher than the $42,307 average annual salary of a game technician.
The top three skills for a game technician include preventative maintenance, cleanliness and technical equipment. The most important skills for a game designer are unity, UI, and game development.
A game technician is in charge of the cleaning, maintenance, and repair of video game machines, consoles, and other hardware. They are responsible for inspection and troubleshooting of all electronic equipment in a gaming center or arcade. They are expected to test for all electronic and mechanical functions of games, replace any broken parts, and ensure the game runs smoothly. They may also be required to install new gaming equipment.
A video game designer is responsible for making a concept of a video game and creating the storylines, scenarios, maps, character development, user interfaces, and in-game objectives. Typical responsibilities include adding computer scripting using computer software, which will then generate events, objects, commands, and characters that end-users can choose from to interact with during the game. Additionally, you will write code using different computer programming languages and designing characters, animation, and levels. To become a successful video game designer, you must be creative, innovative, and ambitious.
Game technicians and game designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Game Technician | Game Designer | |
| Average salary | $42,307 | $87,645 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $65,000 | Between $60,000 And $127,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Reno, NV |
| Highest paying state | - | Nevada |
| Best paying company | - | Meta |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a game technician and a game designer in terms of educational background:
| Game Technician | Game Designer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 32% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | - | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between game technicians' and game designers' demographics:
| Game Technician | Game Designer | |
| Average age | 47 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.5% Female, 15.5% | Male, 88.2% Female, 11.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 3.4% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 3.5% | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 11% |