Game Designer

Paradox Interactive; Tampere; On-site; EUR 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Paradox Interactive is seeking a Game Designer in Tampere, Finland, to shape Cities: Skylines II by balancing complex simulations and economies. You will translate deep mechanics into engaging player experiences, collaborating with designers and programmers to refine features while maintaining overall game balance.

The role requires strong math, logic, and game-design instincts, with hands-on Unity experience and comfort reading code.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a game engine, preferably Unity.
• Strong math and logic skills to balance features.
• Proficiency with Excel or Google Sheets for economy balancing.
• Ability to read and understand basic code or scripts.
• Understanding of what makes games fun.

Responsibilities

• Design and balance gameplay systems, simulation mechanics, and the game's economy.
• Analyze how the existing simulation works, and collaborate with other designers and programmers to add new features without disrupting the broader game balance.
• Work with programmers to understand how systems are structured and turn design ideas into actual gameplay.
• Make sure deep systems are easy for players to understand and fun to play with.

Skills

Math & logic

Game engine experience

Excel/Sheets

Code reading

Game design sense

Tools

Unity

C# scripting

Job description

We are developing Cities: Skylines II, an ambitious simulation game with unprecedented scale and detail. We are looking for a Game Designer to help us manage, expand, and balance the intricate, interconnected systems of this massive city builder. Your main focus will be turning deep mechanics into a fun and engaging experience for players.

What you will be doing:

• Design and balance gameplay systems, simulation mechanics, and the game's economy.
• Analyze how the existing simulation works, and collaborate with other designers and programmers to add new features without disrupting the broader game balance.
• Work with programmers to get a good understanding of how systems are structured and turn design ideas into actual gameplay
• Make sure deep systems are easy for players to understand and fun to play with.

The skills you need to have:

• Experience working in a game engine, preferably Unity.
• Great math and logic skills, meaning you can figure out how changing one number or feature affects the whole game.
• Good with Excel or Google Sheets to balance the game's economy.
• Able to read and understand basic code or scripts so you can talk easily with our programmers.
• A good understanding of what makes games fun, so the systems you design are enjoyable to play.

How to stand out from the crowd:

• Experience making strategy, simulation, or city-builder games.
• Knowing how to write C# code to test and prototype your own ideas in Unity.
• A deep passion for city builders, management, or strategy games, with the gameplay hours to prove it.

Our office is located within walking distance of downtown Tampere. Due to the highly collaborative nature of our work, we expect you to be able to work at the office.