Lead Game Designer

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Highly competitive salary and bonuses

Shape creative direction in Klerksdorp

Health, dental, vision insurance

Professional development budget

Collaborative studio culture

Job summary

Placements24 in Klerksdorp is seeking an experienced Lead Game Designer to spearhead the design vision for new titles. You will guide the design team and collaborate with artists, programmers and producers to translate ideas into gameplay.

The ideal candidate has a proven track record in game design, leadership skills, and a passion for interactive entertainment, with the ability to mentor and inspire a talented group of designers.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in game design, with 2+ years in lead/senior role.
• Shipping titles across multiple platforms.
• Strong understanding of game design principles, player psychology, and storytelling.
• Proficient in game design documents and tooling.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design team in defining core game mechanics, systems, and features.
• Develop GDDs, wireframes, and prototypes to communicate design intent.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to realize the design vision.
• Champion player experience, focusing on usability and fun.
• Provide feedback to designers, artists, and programmers to align with the vision.
• Stay updated on industry trends and technologies in game design.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Game design

Player psychology

Interactive storytelling

Documentation skills

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an innovative and experienced Lead Game Designer to spearhead the design vision for exciting new titles in Klerksdorp . This leadership role involves guiding the design team, conceptualizing core gameplay mechanics, and ensuring a cohesive and compelling player experience across all aspects of the game. You will work closely with artists, programmers, and producers to translate creative ideas into engaging gameplay. The ideal candidate has a proven track record in game design, a passion for interactive entertainment, and the ability to inspire and mentor a talented group of designers, driving the creative direction of our projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the game design team in conceptualizing, defining, and documenting core game mechanics, systems, and features.
• Develop detailed game design documents (GDDs), wireframes, and prototypes to communicate design intent.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure design vision is realized throughout the development pipeline.
• Champion player experience, focusing on usability, engagement, and overall fun factor.
• Provide constructive feedback to designers, artists, and programmers, ensuring alignment with the game's vision.
• Stay current with industry trends, player expectations, and emerging technologies in game design.

Requirements

• Minimum 6 years of experience in game design, with at least 2 years in a Lead or senior design capacity.
• Proven experience designing and shipping successful titles across multiple platforms.
• Strong understanding of game design principles, player psychology, and interactive storytelling.
• Proficiency with game design documentation tools and methodologies.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and presentation skills.
• A deep passion for video games and a creative, problem-solving mindset.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
• Opportunity to shape the creative direction of cutting-edge game titles in Klerksdorp .
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous professional development budget for training and conferences.
• A collaborative and growth-oriented studio culture.