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Video Game Creative Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Equal parts visual director and hands-on maker, the Creative Director, Video is a multifaceted creative who develops original concepts and guides them from script to screen and from deck to delivery.

Creative Director

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$140K - $190K/yr

... the game. Trusted by the world's best golfers including Tiger Woods, Jon Rahm, and Jordan Spieth ... Lead the creation of engaging multimedia content including video, social media assets, digital ads ...

Creative Director

Carlsbad, CA · Hybrid

$140K - $190K/yr

... the game. Trusted by the world's best golfers including Tiger Woods, Jon Rahm, and Jordan Spieth ... Lead the creation of engaging multimedia content including video, social media assets, digital ads ...

Likes to disassemble and tinker with electronics Come up with creative solutions to unique problems ... Repair defective video game controllers and consoles, focusing on replacing analog sticks and ...

Creative Director

Carlsbad, CA · Hybrid

$140K - $190K/yr

... the game. Trusted by the world's best golfers including Tiger Woods, Jon Rahm, and Jordan Spieth ... Lead the creation of engaging multimedia content including video, social media assets, digital ads ...

Likes to disassemble and tinker with electronics Come up with creative solutions to unique problems ... Repair defective video game controllers and consoles, focusing on replacing analog sticks and ...

Creative Director American First Finance The Creative Director is responsible for leading and ... This role ensures consistent, highquality creative execution across digital, print, web, and video ...

Description Creative Director American First Finance The Creative Director is responsible for ... Oversee web page development and video creation/editing * Manage and mentor internal creative ...

Description Position at American First Finance Creative Director American First Finance The ... This role ensures consistent, high-quality creative execution across digital, print, web, and video ...

Direct and oversee on-site photo and video productions, setting shot lists, tone, and creative priorities * Manage and mentor in-house creatives, production team members, and freelance partners

Creative Director American First Finance The Creative Director is responsible for leading and ... This role ensures consistent, highquality creative execution across digital, print, web, and video ...

Direct and oversee on-site photo and video productions, setting shot lists, tone, and creative priorities * Manage and mentor in-house creatives, production team members, and freelance partners

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Video Game Creative Director information

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$61.5K

$127K

How much do video game creative director jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for video game creative director in the United States is $123,552.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $124,000.00 and $126,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Video Game Creative Director, and why are they important?

A Video Game Creative Director needs strong leadership, storytelling, design expertise, and a deep understanding of game development processes, often supported by a background in game design or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard engines like Unity or Unreal, project management tools, and portfolio work are typically required. Exceptional communication, vision, and team collaboration skills help inspire and guide multidisciplinary teams. These abilities are vital to delivering cohesive, innovative games that resonate with players and meet project goals.

How does a Video Game Creative Director typically collaborate with other departments during game development?

A Video Game Creative Director works closely with teams across multiple disciplines, including art, design, programming, and audio, to ensure a cohesive creative vision throughout development. They regularly hold meetings to communicate goals, review progress, and provide feedback, balancing creative ambition with technical and budgetary constraints. Effective collaboration often involves translating high-level ideas into actionable tasks, mediating between conflicting priorities, and fostering a shared sense of purpose among diverse team members. This cross-functional teamwork is essential for delivering a unified and engaging player experience.

What is the difference between Video Game Creative Director vs Video Game Producer?

AspectVideo Game Creative DirectorVideo Game Producer
Primary RoleOversees the creative vision, design, and artistic direction of the gameManages project timelines, budgets, and overall production process
Required SkillsCreative vision, design, storytelling, leadershipProject management, organization, communication
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, creative teams, collaborative settingsProduction teams, management, cross-department coordination
Industry UsageUsed across game development companies to define artistic directionUsed to ensure project delivery within scope and schedule

While both roles are essential in game development, the Video Game Creative Director focuses on the artistic and creative aspects, shaping the game's vision. The Video Game Producer handles the logistical and managerial side, ensuring the project stays on track. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and employer expectations in the gaming industry.

What does a Video Game Creative Director do?

A Video Game Creative Director oversees the overall vision and direction of a video game project. They work closely with designers, artists, writers, and programmers to ensure that all creative aspects of the game align with the desired experience and story. The Creative Director is responsible for making key decisions about the game's style, tone, and gameplay mechanics, ensuring that the final product is cohesive and engaging. They often act as the bridge between the development team and stakeholders, maintaining the project's creative integrity throughout production.
Infographic showing various Video Game Creative Director job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,552 per year, or $59.4 per hour.
Creative Director - Darkpaw Games

Creative Director - Darkpaw Games

Daybreak Games

San Diego, CA

$125K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

Position Title: Creative Director

Studio/Department: Darkpaw Games/Live Development

Employee Type: Full Time, Regular

Location: San Diego, CA / Remote (Daybreak Approved Remote Locations (CA, WA, TX, NY))

Salary Range: $125,000 - $160,000, pay may vary on location.

Description

The Creative Director will provide creative leadership for game aesthetics, mechanics, design, and story for Darkpaw Games, located in San Diego, CA. In partnership with the Darkpaw Games Creative and Leadership teams, this person will also help attract and retain the best creative gaming talent around. This position will:

  • Provide visionary oversight and creative direction for an unannounced title within Darkpaw Games.
  • Establish and refine the high-level core gameplay loops.
  • Advise on and develop supplementary systems that reinforce gameplay loops that focus on core pillars of the game:
    • Community and Teamwork - Working together and building social bonds to achieve things that you can't do (or is very hard to do) on your own.
    • Fairness - You perform certain gameplay actions, put the time in, "work" hard and you get rewarded, your accomplishments and achievements are never taken away.
    • Escape and Exploration - We build alternative worlds where players can take a break from real life or want to get a feeling of exploring something new with a sense of danger (high fantasy exploration).
  • Maintain knowledge of the global game market and use to influence and add value to our product offerings.
  • Assist with the recruitment of key talent and grow and mentor the Design team.
  • Lead creative teams to establish and meet key milestones with expected quality, budget, and time standards.

Required Experience & Skills

  • 10+ years of direct game development experience.
  • Proven success from previously released titles.
  • Relevant experience in achieving results via strong leadership.
  • Ability to motivate teams and build consensus.
  • Ability to design and elaborate on core gameplay loops and design systems that reinforce the loop from end-to-end.
  • Effective and positive interpersonal skills.
  • Proven problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
  • Experience developing MMO games.
  • Strong portfolio of work in current game engines UE4/5.
  • Ability to assist with systems, level, and narrative design when the situation arises.
  • Experience working on PC and console games.
  • Experience developing procedurally generated content.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience developing games on pre-existing IP.
  • Previous experience with building a game from concept to release.

Feel like you are a match for this role, but don't meet all the requirements and pluses? We encourage fresh viewpoints, so as long as you can show us how your attitude and other skills make up for any gaps, we still want to see your application!

ABOUT OUR COMPANY

Daybreak Game Company LLC is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games. Best known for blockbuster hits and franchises such as DC Universe™ Online, PlanetSide®, EverQuest®, and Dungeons and Dragons Online®, Daybreak creates, develops, and provides compelling online entertainment for millions of gamers worldwide. We are the game publisher for Darkpaw Games, Dimensional Ink Games, and Standing Stone Games. To top it off, we are making games in three of the coolest cities in the United States: San Diego, Austin, and Boston. We make games that bring people together and build lasting communities and are totally devoted to delivering the ultimate gaming experience! Find out more about our company at www.daybreakgames.com.


Be Aware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities

Daybreak Game Company will never ask applicants for social security numbers, date of birth, bank account information or other sensitive information in job applications. Additionally, our recruiters do not communicate with applicants through free e-mail accounts (Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or through online messaging apps (WhatsApp, Hangouts). We will never ask applicants to provide payment during the hiring process or extend an offer without conducting a phone, live video or in-person interview.

**Daybreak Game Company, LLC. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to Diversity in the workplace.**