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Game Design Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Progressive Gaming

Senior Game Mathematician

Chicago, IL · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

At IGT, we design and build casino games played by millions of players worldwide! Overview Do you love video games and thought 'hey, I can make that!' Well, here is your chance! At IGT, we design and ...

IGT

Senior Game Mathematician

Chicago, IL

$110K - $150K/yr

At IGT, we design and build casino games played by millions of players worldwide! Overview Do you love video games and thought 'hey, I can make that!' Well, here is your chance! At IGT, we design and ...

AEG

Video Board Production Intern

Alton, IL · On-site

Design videos and images with sponsor logos and player bios to be shown on the video board throughout the game * Design player displays for all home and visiting players for digital display

Warner Bros. Discovery

Designer, Combat

Chicago, IL · On-site

$47K - $88K/yr

Design, implement and iterate on in-game character actions. This includes attacks, reactions and navigation. * Works closely with art teams to collaborate on and help define all associated visual ...

Warnerbros

Senior Designer, Combat

Chicago, IL · On-site

$89K - $166K/yr

Establishes and maintains design documentation for combat gameplay and systems. * Designs and builds game experiences, including implementation of characters and their navigation, combat move sets ...

Warner Bros. Discovery

Senior Designer, Combat

Chicago, IL · On-site

$89K - $166K/yr

Establishes and maintains design documentation for combat gameplay and systems. * Designs and builds game experiences, including implementation of characters and their navigation, combat move sets ...

Warnerbros

Designer, Combat

Chicago, IL · On-site

$47K - $88K/yr

Design, implement and iterate on in-game character actions. This includes attacks, reactions and navigation. * Works closely with art teams to collaborate on and help define all associated visual ...

Progressive Gaming

Game Mathematician

Chicago, IL · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

What You Will Do As a Game Mathematician , you will play a key role in shaping the player experience by designing and analyzing the mathematical models behind our games. You will contribute across ...

Progressive Gaming

Game Mathematician I

Chicago, IL

Overview As a Game Mathematician , you will play a key role in shaping the player experience by ... Implements mathematical logic for prize determination to match specifications of math design, as ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsGame Design JobsGame Design Jobs in Illinois

Game Design information

See Illinois salary details

$45.5K

$151.2K

How much do game design jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for game design in Illinois is $144,499.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $150,200.00 and $150,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is game design?

Game design is the process of creating the content and rules of a game, including its mechanics, story, characters, and overall player experience. Game designers develop the structure and features of a game, decide how it will be played, and work closely with artists, programmers, and other team members to bring the game to life. Their goal is to make engaging, balanced, and enjoyable experiences for players. Game design can apply to video games, board games, and other interactive entertainment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a game designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Game Designer, you need a strong grasp of game mechanics, storytelling, user experience, and typically a degree in game design or a related field. Familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, scripting languages, and prototyping tools is crucial. Creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving are standout soft skills for this role. These abilities are essential for developing engaging, innovative games that resonate with players and meet project goals.

How do game designers typically collaborate with other departments during the development process?

Game designers work closely with artists, programmers, writers, and audio engineers to ensure that the gameplay experience aligns with the creative vision and technical constraints of the project. Regular meetings, feedback sessions, and iterative prototyping are common, allowing designers to communicate their ideas and adjust designs based on input from other team members. This collaborative environment helps address challenges such as balancing gameplay mechanics and ensuring that all elements integrate smoothly. Strong communication and flexibility are essential for success in this role.

What is the difference between Game Design vs Game Development?

AspectGame DesignGame Development
Primary FocusCreating game concepts, mechanics, and user experienceImplementing, coding, and building the game based on design
Skills RequiredCreativity, storytelling, understanding of gameplay mechanicsProgramming, software engineering, technical problem-solving
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, creative teams, collaborative settingsDevelopment teams, technical environments, coding labs
Common CertificationsGame design degrees, UX/UI certificationsComputer science, software engineering degrees

Game Design focuses on conceptualizing and designing gameplay experiences, while Game Development involves the technical implementation and coding of those designs. Both roles are essential in the game creation process and often collaborate closely to produce engaging games.

How do I get a job as a game designer?

To become a game designer, develop a strong portfolio showcasing your design skills, gain experience through internships or entry-level positions, and learn industry-standard tools like Unity or Unreal Engine. A background in computer science, art, or creative writing can also be beneficial, along with understanding game mechanics and user experience principles.

Is game designing a good career?

Game designing is a viable career for those with creativity, strong problem-solving skills, and proficiency in tools like Unity or Unreal Engine. It often requires collaboration, a portfolio of work, and knowledge of industry trends; job stability can vary based on the industry’s demand and individual skill level.

Is there a high demand for game design?

The demand for game designers is strong due to the growth of the gaming industry, with opportunities increasing in mobile, console, and PC game development. Skills in programming, storytelling, and familiarity with design tools like Unity or Unreal Engine are highly valued, and employment prospects are expected to grow steadily over the next several years.

What careers are in game design?

Careers in game design include roles such as game designer, level designer, character designer, and narrative designer. These positions involve creating game concepts, mechanics, storylines, and visual elements, often requiring skills in programming, art, or storytelling, and proficiency with design tools like Unity or Unreal Engine.

What are the most commonly searched types of Game Design jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Game Design jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Game Design jobs in Illinois?

For Game Design jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Game Design jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Game Design jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Game Design jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Game Design job openings:

Game Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Design job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $144,499 per year, or $69.5 per hour.

Adjunct Faculty in Game Design

DePaul University

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time, Part-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

DePaul University rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 29 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

390th of 631 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Description
DePaul's Jarvis College of Computing & Digital Media (CDM) is located in the heart of Chicago's Loop, the central business district of Chicago. Our students represent many different experiences, perspectives, and cultures, and the university strives to recruit and sustain a faculty community where all backgrounds are valued and supported. Part-time teaching positions are available throughout the academic year, including summer sessions. Academic course schedules fluctuate from quarter to quarter, and the college will work with selected individuals to determine a quarterly schedule. Courses are not guaranteed, however the college does its best to give ample notice about available courses. Applicants with expertise that matches course scheduling needs will be contacted for an interview.
The School of Design (SoD) offers a learning environment that nurtures the development of innovative designers, who embrace interdisciplinary methods to solve challenging problems. SoD offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs including Digital Communication and Media Arts, Game Design, Graphic Design, Human Centered Design, Industrial Design, and User Experience Design.
Qualifications
Minimum requirements include a master's degree in the discipline, or 18 semester/27 quarter hours of graduate work in the discipline, or an undergraduate degree with a minimum of five years demonstrated relevant professional experience. Exceptions may be considered with approval of the dean.
Application Instructions
The BS in Game Design degree prepares students to become leaders in the diversifying field of games. Throughout the program, students collaborate on interdisciplinary teams with programmers, artists, writers, and audio designers. The curriculum focuses on the entire development cycle from ideation to documentation, prototyping, implementation, iteration, and testing towards creating polished experiences. Students learn to evaluate and critique each other's work, communicate, problem-solve and design for clients. Throughout the process students will build a portfolio showcasing the diversity of their skill-sets ranging from indie games, to art games, and games for change on established and experimental platforms.
In addition to the required documents listed below, you may also submit a portfolio, teaching evaluations and a course syllabus as optional documents.
Considerations:
Exceptions to standard rates may apply to courses with unique credit hours, supervision, labs, clinical/practicum courses, coaching, administrative tasks, and courses that are either over-enrolled or under-enrolled.
General Compensation/Benefits Statement:
DePaul University has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the qualifications, education, experience, and training of the selected candidate, the scope and responsibilities of the position, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.
DePaul University offers a variety of benefit options for qualified part-time employees. Further information regarding benefits can be found here: https://offices.depaul.edu/human-resources/benefits/part-time/Pages/default.aspx
About DePaul University's Academic Calendar:
Except for the College of Law, DePaul University operates on a quarter system. Classes in Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters are 11 weeks in length (including finals week) and Summer courses, in two sessions, are typically 5 weeks in length. The College of Law operates on the semester system. Classes in the Fall and Spring semesters are 16 weeks in length (including finals week) and it offers a Summer Session of 7 weeks (including final exams).

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