Lead Game Designer

Placements24; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus potential

Professional growth opportunities

Collaborative studio culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Lead Game Designer for our Pretoria studio to guide the vision and execution of innovative gameplay experiences. You will lead core mechanics, progression, and level design while mentoring a talented team to deliver engaging player journeys.

The role requires strong leadership, excellent communication, and a passion for crafting memorable experiences across multiple platforms in a dynamic studio setting.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in game design, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior capacity.
• Proven track record of designing and shipping successful titles across multiple platforms.
• Strong understanding of game design principles, player psychology, and narrative integration.
• Experience with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine; scripting knowledge is a plus.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly.
• A deep passion for games and a broad understanding of the current market landscape.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the overall game design vision, ensuring a cohesive and compelling player experience across all features.
• Lead and mentor a team of game designers, providing direction, feedback, and support throughout the development lifecycle.
• Conceptualize and document core game mechanics, systems, player progression, and level design strategies.
• Collaborate closely with programmers, artists, and producers to translate design concepts into functional and engaging gameplay.
• Conduct playtesting sessions, analyze player feedback, and iterate on designs to improve usability and fun factor.
• Champion the player's perspective, ensuring that all design decisions enhance engagement and satisfaction.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Game design

Mentoring

Player psychology

Tools

Unity

Unreal Engine

Scripting languages

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for an experienced and creative Lead Game Designer to guide the vision and execution of innovative gameplay experiences at their Pretoria studio. You will be responsible for conceptualizing, defining, and refining core game mechanics, systems, and player progression. This role requires strong leadership, excellent communication skills, and a deep passion for creating engaging and memorable player journeys. Join a talented team that is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of interactive entertainment and crafting unique gaming worlds.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and drive the overall game design vision, ensuring a cohesive and compelling player experience across all features.
• Lead and mentor a team of game designers, providing direction, feedback, and support throughout the development lifecycle.
• Conceptualize and document core game mechanics, systems, player progression, and level design strategies.
• Collaborate closely with programmers, artists, and producers to translate design concepts into functional and engaging gameplay.
• Conduct playtesting sessions, analyze player feedback, and iterate on designs to improve usability and fun factor.
• Champion the player's perspective, ensuring that all design decisions enhance engagement and satisfaction.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in game design, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior capacity.
• Proven track record of designing and shipping successful titles across multiple platforms.
• Strong understanding of game design principles , player psychology, and narrative integration.
• Experience with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, and proficiency in scripting languages is a plus.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills , with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly.
• A deep passion for games and a comprehensive understanding of the current market landscape.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Significant bonus potential based on project success.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development in Pretoria .
• A collaborative and creative studio culture with a focus on innovation.
• Work on exciting and diverse game projects with a talented team.