Senior Game Designer

Placements24; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance-based incentives

Health and wellness benefits

Generous paid time off

Vibrant studio culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Game Designer for our Pretoria studio. You will conceptualize, define, and iterate on core mechanics, systems, and player experiences that drive engaging gameplay across projects.

You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to translate visions into compelling interactive entertainment, ensuring a cohesive player journey from start to finish. This role emphasizes leadership, innovation, and market-aware design decisions.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in game design
• At least 2 shipped titles in a senior capacity
• Proven ability to design engaging core gameplay mechanics and complex systems
• Strong understanding of player motivation and UX principles

Responsibilities

• Design and document core game mechanics, systems, and progression loops
• Create compelling game design documents (GDDs) that clearly communicate vision and requirements
• Collaborate with programmers, artists, and designers to implement and refine features
• Conduct playtesting sessions, gather feedback, and iterate on designs to improve gameplay
• Mentor junior designers and contribute to design culture in Pretoria

Skills

Game design

Gameplay systems

Player psychology

Communication

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for a highly innovative and experienced Senior Game Designer to join their talented studio in Pretoria . You will be responsible for conceptualizing, defining, and iterating on core game mechanics, systems, and player experiences that drive engaging gameplay. This role is crucial in shaping the direction of our projects, requiring a deep understanding of game design principles, player psychology, and market trends. You will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams to translate creative visions into compelling interactive entertainment, ensuring a cohesive and enjoyable player journey from start to finish.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and document core game mechanics, systems, and player progression loops.
• Create compelling game design documents (GDDs) that clearly communicate vision and requirements.
• Work closely with programmers, artists, and other designers to implement and refine game features.
• Conduct playtesting sessions, gather player feedback, and iterate on designs to improve gameplay experience.
• Mentor junior designers and contribute to the overall design culture and best practices at the studio in Pretoria .

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in game design, with at least 2 shipped titles in a senior capacity.
• Proven ability to design engaging core gameplay mechanics and complex game systems.
Strong understanding of player psychology, motivation, and user experience principles.
• Proficiency with industry-standard design tools and scripting languages is a plus.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
• Opportunity to shape impactful and innovative game titles.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
• A vibrant and collaborative studio environment in Pretoria .