Senior Game Systems Designer

Placements24; Queenstown; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career growth

Medical aid

Provident fund

Team-building activities

Modern office facilities

Job summary

Placements24 in Queenstown, NZ, seeks a Senior Game Systems Designer to craft core mechanics, balance systems, and drive the player's progression. You will prototype, iterate, and collaborate with programmers, artists, and fellow designers to deliver engaging gameplay experiences.

The role focuses on combat, economy, progression, and AI behavior, requiring strong analytical thinking and a track record of shipping complex game systems in an on-site studio setting.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in game design, with a focus on systems design.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating experience in designing complex and engaging game systems.
• Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, document, and implement core game systems such as combat mechanics, economy balancing, player progression, and AI behavior.
• Create detailed design specifications and prototypes for new systems.
• Collaborate closely with programmers, artists, and other designers to integrate systems seamlessly into the game.
• Analyze gameplay data and player feedback to identify areas for improvement and iterate on system design.
• Ensure systems are well-balanced, engaging, and aligned with the overall game vision.
• Contribute to the overall game design process, including brainstorming and feature definition.
• Mentor junior designers and provide constructive feedback on system design.
• Stay informed about current trends and innovations in game systems design.
• Conduct playtesting sessions to evaluate system effectiveness.

Skills

Systems design

Combat design

Economy balancing

Player progression

AI behavior

Lua

Python

Education

Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, or related field

Tools

Lua

Python

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly growing game development studio known for its innovative gameplay mechanics and engaging player experiences, is seeking a Senior Game Systems Designer to join their team in Queenstown, Eastern Cape. This on-site role is essential for crafting the core mechanics and progression systems that define the player's journey. You will be responsible for designing, prototyping, and iterating on complex game systems, including combat, economy, progression, and AI behaviors, ensuring they are balanced, fun, and synergistic. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of game design principles, a strong analytical mind, and a proven ability to translate creative concepts into functional and engaging gameplay. You will work closely with other disciplines to bring these systems to life within the Arts & Entertainment sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, document, and implement core game systems such as combat mechanics, economy balancing, player progression, and AI behavior.


• Create detailed design specifications and prototypes for new systems.


• Collaborate closely with programmers, artists, and other designers to integrate systems seamlessly into the game.


• Analyze gameplay data and player feedback to identify areas for improvement and iterate on system design.


• Ensure systems are well-balanced, engaging, and aligned with the overall game vision.


• Contribute to the overall game design process, including brainstorming and feature definition.


• Mentor junior designers and provide constructive feedback on system design.


• Stay informed about current trends and innovations in game systems design.


• Conduct playtesting sessions to evaluate system effectiveness.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in game design, with a focus on systems design, preferably within the Arts & Entertainment industry.


• A strong portfolio demonstrating experience in designing complex and engaging game systems.


• Proficiency in creating detailed game design documents and flowcharts.


• Experience with scripting languages (e.g., Lua, Python) or visual scripting tools is a plus.


• Solid understanding of game balance, player psychology, and progression design.


• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.


• Strong communication and teamwork abilities, with experience working in an on-site studio environment.


• Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary of up to ZAR .


• Full-time, on-site position with opportunities for career growth.


• Work on exciting and innovative game projects.


• Collaborative and creative studio environment in Queenstown .


• Contribution to medical aid and provident fund.


• Regular team-building activities and professional development.


• Modern office facilities.