Game Design - (Various Disciplines) - Talent Pool (N Americas)

Side; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Global company

Job summary

Side invites game designers to join its Talent Pool for Co-Development Roles, targeting future project-based opportunities aligned with skills and experience. This pool informs staffing for upcoming client-driven projects across PC, console, mobile, and VR/AR platforms.

We regularly review the pool and contact candidates who closely match specific requirements, with opportunities to contribute to Side’s global game services portfolio and creative vision.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Game Design

Level Design

Worldbuilding

Narrative Design

Technical Design

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

Description

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.

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

• 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.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary.
• Dynamic, multicultural and fun environment.
• You will be working for the world's leading provider of game services.
• We empower our people and offer regular progression opportunities to ensure our employees flourish.

About The Talent Pool

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

This is a general game designer application. We regularly review this pool when staffing new or ongoing projects, so even if there isn’t an open role now, joining ensures you’ll be top of mind when client needs arise.

About Side

Side (formerly PTW) 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 20 studios in 14 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.

Experience our side of life. For more information, visit www.side.inc