Lead Game Designer (Systems) (Remote)

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; Hybride; ZAR 900 000 - 1 500 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Remote-first

Health and wellness benefits

Learning and development opportunities

Global collaborative team

Résumé du poste

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Lead Game Designer (Systems) to shape core gameplay, progression, and player experience for ambitious projects. This fully remote role enables collaboration with a global team from Mahikeng or any approved remote location.

You will lead designers, document detailed specifications, mentor your team, and iterate on systems with feedback, ensuring emergent gameplay and a cohesive vision across combat, economy, AI, and narrative.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of experience in game design, with 2–3 years in a lead or senior role.
• Proven track record of designing and shipping successful games, with a strong focus on systems design.
• Deep understanding of game design principles, player psychology, and emergent gameplay.
• Experience with scripting languages (e.g., Lua, Python) for prototyping is a plus.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration skills, especially in a remote environment.

Responsabilités

• Lead the design and implementation of core game systems, including combat, progression, economy, and AI.
• Define and document detailed game design specifications for systems and mechanics.
• Collaborate closely with programmers, artists, and producers to ensure the effective implementation of game systems.
• Mentor and guide a team of game designers, fostering their professional growth and ensuring high-quality output.
• Conduct playtesting sessions, analyze feedback, and iterate on designs to improve player experience.
• Champion the game's vision and ensure creative coherence across all systems.
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and player expectations.
• Contribute to the overall narrative and world-building of the game.
• Effectively communicate design decisions and rationale to the wider team.
• Drive innovation in game systems design from your remote location near Mahikeng.

Connaissances

Leadership

Communication

Systems design

Game design principles

Emergent gameplay

Remote collaboration

Documentation (GDDs)

Scripting (Lua/Python)

Project management

Formation

Bachelor's degree in Game Design or related field

Outils

Lua

Python

Description du poste

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized game development studio, is seeking an experienced and visionary Lead Game Designer (Systems) to join their fully remote team. This pivotal role involves shaping the core gameplay mechanics, progression systems, and player experience across ambitious new projects. You will lead a talented team of designers, driving the creative vision and ensuring the implementation of innovative and engaging game systems. We are looking for a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of game design principles, a passion for player engagement, and a proven track record of shipping successful titles. As a remote Lead Game Designer, you will collaborate closely with other discipline leads, producers, and engineers to realize the game's potential. This position offers the unique advantage of working from **Mahikeng** or any approved remote location, providing unparalleled flexibility while contributing to world-class game development. You will be instrumental in defining the player's journey and ensuring a deeply satisfying and rewarding gameplay loop. The ideal candidate is a master of systems design, capable of architecting complex, interconnected mechanics that create emergent gameplay experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of core game systems, including combat, progression, economy, and AI.
• Define and document detailed game design specifications for systems and mechanics.
• Collaborate closely with programmers, artists, and producers to ensure the effective implementation of game systems.
• Mentor and guide a team of game designers, fostering their professional growth and ensuring high-quality output.
• Conduct playtesting sessions, analyze feedback, and iterate on designs to improve player experience.
• Champion the game's vision and ensure creative coherence across all systems.
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and player expectations.
• Contribute to the overall narrative and world-building of the game.
• Effectively communicate design decisions and rationale to the wider team.
• Drive innovation in game systems design from your remote location near **Mahikeng**.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in game design, with at least 2-3 years in a lead or senior role.
• Proven track record of designing and shipping successful games, with a strong focus on systems design.
• Deep understanding of game design principles, player psychology, and emergent gameplay.
• Experience with various game genres and their associated systems.
• Proficiency in creating detailed design documentation (GDDs, specifications).
• Experience with scripting languages (e.g., Lua, Python) for prototyping is a plus.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration skills, especially in a remote environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary and bonus structure.
• As a remote-first company, we provide significant flexibility and support for remote employees.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits are included.
• Opportunities for continuous learning, professional development, and participation in major industry events are standard.
• You will be part of an inclusive and collaborative global team committed to creating exceptional gaming experiences, no matter where you are based around **Mahikeng**.