Senior Game Designer

Placements24; Noord-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Relocation assistance

Health benefits

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in Kimberley is seeking a Senior Game Designer to shape core gameplay mechanics and player experience for upcoming titles. You will collaborate with artists, programmers, and producers to craft immersive game worlds and ensure engaging, balanced experiences.

The ideal candidate has a strong game design foundation, a portfolio of shipped titles or major contributions, and the ability to mentor junior designers while guiding the design process with a clear vision.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Game Design or related field or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in game design, with shipped titles or significant contributions to game projects.
• Proficiency in game design documentation and tools (GDDs, flowcharts, wireframing).

Responsibilities

• Design and document core gameplay mechanics, rules, systems, and player progression for new game titles.
• Develop detailed game design documents (GDDs), flowcharts, and wireframes to clearly communicate design ideas.
• Collaborate with programmers to implement and iterate on game mechanics, ensuring they are fun, balanced, and performant.
• Work with artists to define the aesthetic and functional requirements for game assets, environments, and UI elements.
• Prototype and playtest game features, providing critical feedback and making necessary adjustments.
• Champion the player experience, ensuring games are intuitive, engaging, and offer satisfying challenges.
• Contribute to the overall narrative and world-building of the game.
• Mentor junior game designers and provide guidance on design best practices.
• Stay current with industry trends, player feedback, and emerging technologies in game development.
• Participate actively in team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and design reviews.

Skills

Game design

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, or related field

Tools

GDDs

Flowcharts

Wireframing

Job description

About the Role

Our client, an innovative game development studio located in Kimberley , is seeking a creative and experienced Senior Game Designer to join their dedicated team. This role is essential in conceptualizing and defining the core gameplay mechanics, systems, and player experience for their upcoming titles. You will collaborate closely with artists, programmers, and producers to bring engaging and compelling game worlds to life. The ideal candidate possesses a deep passion for games, a strong understanding of game design principles, and a proven track record of delivering high-quality game mechanics. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact on the direction of our client's games and contribute to a fun, collaborative work environment in the heart of the Northern Cape . We are looking for a designer who can think innovatively, solve complex design challenges, and guide the development process with a clear vision. Join us and help craft the next generation of immersive gaming experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and document core gameplay mechanics, rules, systems, and player progression for new game titles.
• Develop detailed game design documents (GDDs), flowcharts, and wireframes to clearly communicate design ideas.
• Collaborate with programmers to implement and iterate on game mechanics, ensuring they are fun, balanced, and performant.
• Work with artists to define the aesthetic and functional requirements for game assets, environments, and UI elements.
• Prototype and playtest game features, providing critical feedback and making necessary adjustments.
• Champion the player experience, ensuring games are intuitive, engaging, and offer satisfying challenges.
• Contribute to the overall narrative and world-building of the game.
• Mentor junior game designers and provide guidance on design best practices.
• Stay current with industry trends, player feedback, and emerging technologies in game development.
• Participate actively in team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and design reviews.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in game design, with a portfolio showcasing shipped titles or significant contributions to game projects.
• Proficiency in game design documentation and tools (e.g., GDDs, flowcharts, wireframing).
• Strong understanding of game mechanics, level design, systems design, and player psychology.
• Experience with game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine is highly desirable.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Passion for video games and deep bility…).
• Familiarity with the South African game development scene, particularly in the Kimberley area, is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary commensurate with experience.
• Opportunity to work on exciting and innovative game projects.
• Collaborative and creative studio culture.
• Professional development opportunities and training.
• Contribution to shaping unique gaming experiences.
• Relocation assistance for candidates outside Kimberley .
• Health and wellness benefits.