Lead Game Designer

Placements24; Paarl; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Relocation assistance

Professional development

Conference attendance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Game Designer to spearhead the design vision for exciting new projects at our Paarl studio. This leadership role blends creative drive with strategic thinking and team management to guide the design team, define core gameplay mechanics, and ensure a compelling player experience throughout development.

The ideal candidate has a proven history of shipped titles, deep knowledge of player psychology, and the ability to influence the direction of interactive

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in game design with leadership roles and shipped titles.
• Deep understanding of game genres, mechanics and player engagement strategies.
• Proven ability to lead and manage a design team.
• Strong skills in game design documentation, prototyping, and balancing systems.
• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal abilities.
• Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Unity and Unreal Engine.

Responsibilities

• Define and champion the overall game design vision and strategy for projects.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of game designers, providing direction and feedback.
• Oversee core gameplay mechanics, systems, level design, and narrative elements.
• Collaborate with art, programming, and production to meet design goals.
• Conduct market research and player analysis to inform design decisions.
• Ensure a cohesive, balanced and engaging player experience.

Skills

Leadership

Game design leadership

Prototyping

Systems balancing

Documentation

Communication

Unity

Unreal Engine

Tools

Unity

Unreal Engine

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an innovative and experienced Lead Game Designer to spearhead the design vision for exciting new projects at their studio in Paarl . This leadership role requires a blend of creative flair, strategic thinking, and strong team management skills. You will guide the design team, define core gameplay mechanics, and ensure a cohesive and compelling player experience throughout the development process. The ideal candidate has a proven history of designing successful games and a deep understanding of player psychology and engagement. This is a crucial position for influencing the direction of our client's interactive entertainment offerings in the Western Cape .

Key Responsibilities

• Define and champion the overall game design vision and strategy for projects.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of game designers, providing constructive feedback and direction.
• Oversee the creation of core gameplay mechanics, systems, level design, and narrative elements.
• Collaborate closely with art, programming, and production teams to ensure design goals are met.
• Conduct market research and player analysis to inform design decisions and identify opportunities.
• Ensure the game's design is cohesive, balanced, and provides an engaging player experience.

Requirements

• Extensive experience in game design, with a significant portion in a lead or senior role, and a portfolio of shipped titles.
• Deep understanding of various game genres, mechanics, and player engagement strategies.
• Proven ability to lead and manage a design team effectively.
• Strong skills in game design documentation, prototyping, and system balancing.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with industry-standard game development tools and engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine).

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to lead creative development for cutting-edge game titles.
• Professional development opportunities and conference attendance.
• Relocation assistance for qualified candidates to the scenic Paarl region.
• A collaborative and passionate work environment dedicated to creating memorable gaming experiences.