Remote Lead Game Designer

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonuses

Creative freedom

Health insurance

Paid time off

Home office allowance

Remote community

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Game Designer for a fully remote, AAA-focused studio. You will shape core mechanics, player experience, and design direction for high-profile titles while leading a team of designers across the development lifecycle.

You will mentor designers, collaborate with art, programming, and production, and ensure documentation and design rationale are accessible. The role emphasizes remote collaboration, strong communication, and delivering engaging, player-centric

Qualifications

• Lead the game design team and define core mechanics and progression.

Responsibilities

• Lead the game design team in core mechanics and player progression.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Remote collaboration

Player psychology

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Game Design

Computer Science

Tools

Confluence

GDD software

Prototyping tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned game development studio at the forefront of interactive entertainment, is seeking a visionary Lead Game Designer to join their fully remote development team. This position offers the exciting opportunity to shape the core mechanics, player experience, and overall design direction of groundbreaking video games. You will lead a talented team of game designers, guiding them through the entire game development lifecycle, from initial concept and prototyping to final release and post-launch support. This role is essential for crafting immersive and engaging gameplay experiences within the Arts & Entertainment industry. The ideal candidate is a creative powerhouse with a deep understanding of game design principles, player psychology, and the ability to foster innovation in a remote, collaborative setting. As a remote-first role, we are looking for individuals who excel in self-management, clear communication, and contributing to a cohesive team vision despite geographical distances.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the game design team in conceptualizing, defining, and documenting core game mechanics, systems, and player progression.
• Oversee the creation of detailed design documents, wireframes, and prototypes for new game features.
• Guide the team in balancing game difficulty, economy, and player engagement loops.
• Collaborate closely with art, programming, and production teams to ensure design vision is realized effectively.
• Champion player experience, ensuring intuitive controls, clear feedback, and satisfying gameplay.
• Conduct playtesting sessions and analyze player feedback to iterate and improve game design.
• Mentor and guide junior and senior game designers, fostering their professional growth.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitor analysis to inform design decisions.
• Communicate design decisions and rationale clearly to the development team and stakeholders.
• Ensure design documentation is comprehensive, up-to-date, and accessible to the team.
• Contribute to the overall vision and strategic direction of the studio's game portfolio.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in game design, with at least 3 years in a leadership or senior role within the Arts & Entertainment industry.
• Proven track record of shipping successful titles across multiple platforms (PC, Console, Mobile).
• Deep understanding of various game genres and their core design principles.
• Exceptional ability to lead, mentor, and inspire a remote design team.
• Proficiency in game design documentation tools (e.g., Confluence, GDD software) and prototyping tools.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on player-centric design.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, crucial for remote collaboration.
• Experience with Unreal Engine or Unity is highly desirable.
• A Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, or a related field is preferred.
• Passion for video games and a drive to create innovative and memorable player experiences.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a remote work environment.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Opportunity to work on AAA titles with significant creative freedom.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and flexible work arrangements.
• Allowance for home office setup and continuous learning.
• Access to a vibrant online community of fellow remote developers.