Schell.J (2008) A book of Lenses

What skills does a game designer need?

Animation 

All modern games these days are full of animation. The word animation means "to give life". Understanding how to effectively use animation will open the door to clever game ideas.

Anthropology

Understanding what your users desire in their own homes. What would satisfy your target audience.

Architecture

Useful skill for designing in game buildings. Understanding the relationship between people and spaces.

Brainstorming

Skill in creating new ideas by the hundreds

Business

This is exactly what the games industry is. Games are made to make money so understanding the business side of things the more chance you have at being successful.

Cinematography

Games contain movie sequences. To make compelling and emotional experiences the art of cinematography will help when using the in game virtual camera.

Communication

The communication between you and your team will be essential in finding out any flaws in your game. Also communication to all of the disciplines mentioned here will be essential to gain that upper hand knowledge. 

Creative Writing

Will help when creating your fictional worlds and the virtual characters that live within them.

Economics

This will help if your game has an in game currency. Some games out there have fantastic virtual economies and understanding these economies will be paramount.

Engineering

Allot of the games today use complex engineering and technologies that are in the world today. Some of the top AAA games have code by the millions but understanding the limits of your technology is essential in the designing of your game.

History

Great for games set in a historical setting. Even those from a fantasy world use allot of elements from our history.

Management

Good game designers should be able to manage themselves even if their management is bad

Mathematics

Mathematics is fundamental in computer games design and development. From the computer coding that governs the games physics to the math that supports complex scoring systems. 

Music

Music really get peoples emotions going. If you want to touch your audiences soul then music is essential.

Psychology

Your goal is to effect human emotion. You must understand what makes the human mind work

Public Speaking

you will need this when pitching your game ideas. You may need to convince an audience that your game is genius and that they must fund you.

Sound Design

Great and realistic sound effects will really give a nice aesthetic to your game

Technical Writing

Very good skill when creating your complex design documents outlining your game.

Visual Arts

You will have to create visual masterpieces with your graphics. It will overall be setting the mood in your game

There is allot of disciplines here and mastering them all would be near impossible however having a deep understanding of each of them will help you become a game designer. There are many many more disciplines as well but they will become obvious depending on the type of game you are creating.

The most important skill

The most important skill for any game designer is "listening" with creativity second. You must hone your listening skills to tune in to your team, audience, game, client and self.

 This isnt just surface listening but deep listening. You must read the body language as well as what they say.