Narrative-Driven Lead Game Designer

Placements24; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Game Designer in Pretoria with a strong focus on narrative. You will guide a team to craft compelling storylines, immersive worlds, and gameplay mechanics that drive the narrative forward.

You'll mentor designers, oversee narrative integration with core gameplay, and shape the player experience on a highly anticipated title in a creative studio renowned for rich lore and character development.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years in game design with 2+ years in lead/senior roles.
• Proven ability to design narratives and systems for games.
• Strong portfolio of titles with narrative elements.
• Proficiency with game design tools and scripting (C#, Blueprint, proprietary engines).
• Understanding of player psychology, pacing, and engagement loops.
• Strong leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to translate concepts into detailed design specs.
• Experience across genres and platforms.
• Bachelor's degree in Game Design, CS, Creative Writing, or related field, or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and implementation of narrative systems, quest design, and world-building.
• Collaborate with writers, artists, and programmers for cohesive player experience.
• Define and document core mechanics, progression, and balancing.
• Mentor and guide a team of designers, promoting innovation and quality.
• Develop player personas, narrative arcs, and branching story paths.
• Prototype and iterate features focusing on narrative integration.
• Conduct playtests and analyze feedback to refine design.
• Maintain clear and up-to-date design documentation.
• Champion the game's vision and communicate decisions to the team.

Skills

Narrative design

Leadership

Gameplay systems

Storytelling

Team collaboration

C# scripting

Blueprint

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

C#

Blueprint

Proprietary engine

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Game Designer in Pretoria with a strong focus on narrative. You will guide a team to craft compelling storylines, immersive worlds, and gameplay mechanics that drive the narrative forward.

You'll mentor designers, oversee narrative integration with core gameplay, and shape the player experience on a highly anticipated title in a creative studio renowned for rich lore and character development.