Game Designer — Co-Development Opportunities

Side; Auckland; On-site; Full time

Job description

About Side

Side is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and creative solutions to many of the largest developers and studios around the world. Founded in 2009 and drawing on 30+ years' experience from our parent company in Japan, Side has since grown to become a global force with 15+ studios in over a dozen countries across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia.

Our industry-leading services include game development, art production, audio production, quality assurance, localization, localization QA, player support, community management, and datasets.

About This Opportunity

Please note, this listing is not for an immediate open position but for our Talent Pool for Co-Development Roles. By applying, you express interest in being considered for future project-based opportunities that align with your skills and experience.

These opportunities are contingent on client needs and project availability. As projects are initiated or client proposals are developed, we will review candidates from this pool and contact those who most closely align with the specific requirements of the co-development opportunity.

How We Keep You Engaged

We maintain strong relationships with our talent pool by providing regular updates, industry insights, and information on upcoming opportunities. We will check in to confirm your availability and interest.

Our hiring teams carefully vet and select top candidates who best meet project needs, ensuring that you are matched with the right opportunity when it becomes available.

Next Steps

If you are passionate about contributing to cutting-edge projects and want to be considered for future co-development opportunities, we encourage you to apply to this listing. While there may not be an immediate opening, your application ensures that you will be part of our ongoing talent review for upcoming roles.

Only resumes submitted in English will be considered.

Requirements

• Design, implement, and iterate on game mechanics, systems, levels, encounters, or narratives, depending on your specialization.
• Work closely with cross-disciplinary teams, including programmers, artists, and producers, to ensure seamless gameplay integration.
• Develop and maintain design documentation, prototypes, and iterative improvements based on internal testing and player feedback.
• Balance and refine gameplay mechanics to achieve engaging and rewarding player experiences.
• Analyze player behavior, feedback, and data to inform design decisions and enhance engagement.
• Participate in design reviews, offering and receiving constructive feedback to refine design implementations.
• Ensure consistency and alignment with the game's creative vision and project objectives.

Qualifications

• Experience:
  • 3+ years of professional experience in game design (level design, combat design, worldbuilding, narrative design, technical design, or encounter design).
  • Demonstrated contribution to at least one shipped title on PC, console, mobile, or VR/AR.
• Technical Skills:
  • Proficiency with game engines such as Unreal Engine or Unity.
  • Familiarity with scripting languages, visual scripting tools, or proprietary game design tools.
  • Strong understanding of player psychology, game mechanics, pacing, and balance.
• Collaboration and Communication Skills:
  • Ability to work effectively within a cross-functional team and integrate feedback into iterative design.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills to convey complex design ideas clearly.
• Passion for Game Design:
  • Deep knowledge of game design principles, industry trends, and player expectations.
  • Enthusiasm for problem-solving and pushing the boundaries of interactive experiences.

Preferred Skills

• Experience working on AAA titles.
• Knowledge of procedural design, emergent gameplay systems, or AI-driven gameplay mechanics.
• Background in narrative design, interactive storytelling, or dialogue systems.
• Experience with multiplayer, live-service, or co-op game design.

Note: Specific requirements may vary depending on project needs.