Senior Game Designer

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Flexible hybrid schedule

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Game Designer for a hybrid role in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. You will shape game mechanics, systems, and progression, collaborating with a cross-disciplinary team to craft engaging player journeys.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in game design, a strong portfolio, and expertise in Unity/Unreal Engine, C#, and Blueprint. You will mentor junior designers and help steer world-building and narrative design across innovative projects.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in game design in Arts & Entertainment.
• Strong portfolio detailing contributions to mechanics and systems.
• Proficiency in Unity/Unreal Engine and scripting languages such as C# and Blueprint.
• Excellent understanding of player psychology, game theory, and storytelling.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration in a hybrid work environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and document core game mechanics, systems, and features.
• Create detailed design documents (GDDs), flowcharts, and wireframes.
• Collaborate with programmers, artists, and producers to implement features.
• Prototype and iterate on mechanics to ensure intuitive, engaging gameplay.
• Balance game systems, economy, and progression to maintain engagement.
• Contribute to world-building, narrative design, and character development.
• Playtest and provide feedback on game builds.
• Stay abreast of trends in game design within the Arts & Entertainment industry.
• Mentor junior designers and share knowledge.

Skills

Game design

Systems thinking

Player psychology

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in Game Design, CS, or related

Tools

Unity

Unreal Engine

C#

Blueprint

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking entity in the Arts & Entertainment sector, is searching for an exceptional Senior Game Designer to join their creative hub in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. This role is integral to conceptualizing and developing engaging gameplay experiences that define our products. You will be instrumental in shaping game mechanics, systems, and player progression, ensuring a compelling and cohesive player journey. The ideal candidate possesses a deep passion for games, a strategic mindset, and a proven ability to design innovative and fun gameplay. This hybrid position allows for a blend of collaborative in-studio work and focused remote development, fostering both teamwork and individual creativity.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and document core game mechanics, systems, and features.
• Create detailed design documents (GDDs), flowcharts, and wireframes.
• Collaborate with programmers, artists, and producers to implement and refine gameplay features.
• Prototype and iterate on game mechanics to ensure they are intuitive, engaging, and fun.
• Balance game systems, economy, and progression to maintain player engagement.
• Contribute to world-building, narrative design, and character development.
• Playtest and provide constructive feedback on game builds.
• Stay abreast of current trends and innovations in game design across the Arts & Entertainment industry.
• Mentor junior game designers and contribute to team knowledge sharing.
• Champion the player experience and ensure design decisions prioritize fun and accessibility.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in game design, with a significant portion within the Arts & Entertainment industry.
• A strong portfolio showcasing successful game design projects, including detailed explanations of your contributions to mechanics and systems.
• Proficiency in game design software, engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine), and scripting languages (e.g., C#, Blueprint).
• Excellent understanding of player psychology, game theory, and interactive storytelling.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration abilities, especially in a hybrid work environment.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple design tasks effectively.
• A deep passion for video games and a broad knowledge of the gaming landscape.
• Experience in balancing complex game systems and economies.
• Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

This role comes with a competitive salary and benefits package designed to support our employees. The hybrid work model offers flexibility, combining the collaborative energy of our Stellenbosch, Western Cape office with the focus of remote work. Benefits include comprehensive health coverage, generous paid vacation, and opportunities for professional development, including attending industry events. Employees will work on innovative projects that push the boundaries of interactive entertainment within the Arts & Entertainment sector. We foster a creative and supportive work culture where contributions are recognized and rewarded. Career advancement opportunities are available for high-performing individuals.