I'm having trouble determining if the role of 'Games Designer' would be included under a specific SOC code, or if it is a job that would not be available for the Skilled Worker visa - I could really use some help with this, since if it doesn't qualify I shouldn't waste my time continuing to apply for those jobs since I could never get sponsored.
Tasks for a Games Designer include things like:
- Market research to understand market trends, target demographics/ audience, current/ new devices and platforms, etc.
- Writing documentation for new designs/ changes to convince development team the game is worth proceeding with.
- Designing, testing, and adjusting the User Experience for the players to have the best experience by adjusting mechanics, user interface, ways of communication, etc.
- Consider, plan and detail all parts of the new game, including setting, rules, story flow, mechanics (things the player can do), etc.
- Rapidly build a prototype to determine if the core of the game is fun, iterating on the idea to refine the concept.
SOC 3422: Product, Clothing and Related Designers - This is displayed by the ONS Occupational Coding Tool, when searching for 'games' (the title "Designer, games" DOES come up as a result). However, the jobs related to this code mention nothing digital. They all seem to communicate a designer building some form of tangible, physical object. I understand the list could be extensive since in the title it says 'Product' and 'Related Designers', but my confidence that this would be the code for Game Designer falters when I read the information for the job.
SOC 2136: Programmers and Software Development Professionals - This had, at one time, included 'Games Designer' as a 'Job related to this code', but as of this date, it is no longer there and is what adds to my concern it may no longer be an eligible occupation. Some of the tasks required by this job are very much what I would do, while others are definitely geared towards creating software.
When searching the Eligible Occupations and Codes document, both 3422 and 2136 are on that list, but if you search for 'games', you come up with (1) Games programmer, (2) Games researcher (broadcasting) and (3) Computer games tester. Games Designer is nowhere found.
All this to say, I 'think' Game Designer could fit under the above mentioned codes, but I'm not confident. Anyone that knows or could clarify if this job does fit one of these codes, or is a job that doesn't qualify for a Skilled Workers visa, would be so helpful!
Much Appreciated.