Lead Game Designer - Shape Core Gameplay & Team Vision

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

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.