Senior Game Designer

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 1,482,000 - 2,305,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Fully remote

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Professional development budget

Home office allowance

Team events

Innovative game projects

Job summary

Placements24 client, an award-winning independent game development studio, seeks a Senior Game Designer for a fully remote role. You will conceptualize, design, and implement core mechanics and systems to define the player experience.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in game design, shipped titles, a strong portfolio, and proficiency with Unity or Unreal Engine. You will document designs, mentor teammates, and collaborate across disciplines to deliver engaging, balanced gameplay.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in game design, with 2 shipped titles in senior or lead roles.
• Strong portfolio of design contributions to commercial released games.
• In-depth knowledge of game design principles, player psychology, and narrative design.
• Experience designing and balancing complex game systems (combat, economy, progression, AI).
• Proficiency with Unity/Unreal Engine; strong documentation skills.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership for remote teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Design core game mechanics, systems, and player progression.
• Create design documents, flowcharts, and wireframes for features.
• Collaborate with artists, programmers, and other designers to implement systems.
• Balance economy, progression, and difficulty for engagement.
• Prototype and test ideas, gathering feedback for iterations.
• Integrate story elements with gameplay alongside narrative designers.
• Analyze player data to identify improvements and optimization.
• Mentor junior designers and contribute to the team's vision.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies.

Skills

Game design principles

Player psychology

Narrative design

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Leadership

Remote collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Game Design

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Equivalent professional experience

Tools

Unity

Unreal Engine

Job description

About the Role

Our client, an award-winning independent game development studio known for its innovative and engaging titles, is seeking a talented Senior Game Designer to join their passionate team. This is a fully remote position, allowing exceptional designers from anywhere to contribute to groundbreaking projects. You will be instrumental in conceptualizing, designing, and implementing core game mechanics, systems, and features that define the player experience. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of game design principles, a proven track record of shipping successful games, and a keen ability to translate creative visions into playable, fun, and balanced game experiences. If you are driven by creativity, player engagement, and a collaborative spirit, this role offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of interactive entertainment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and document core game mechanics, systems, and player progression.
• Create detailed game design documents, flowcharts, and wireframes for new features and updates.
• Collaborate closely with artists, programmers, and other designers to implement and iterate on game systems.
• Balance game economy, progression, and difficulty to ensure an engaging player experience.
• Prototype and test new game ideas and features, gathering feedback for iteration.
• Work with narrative designers to integrate story elements seamlessly into gameplay.
• Analyze player data and feedback to identify areas for improvement and optimization.
• Mentor junior game designers and contribute to the team's creative vision.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, player expectations, and emerging technologies in game development.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in game design, with at least two shipped titles in a senior or lead role.
• A strong portfolio showcasing design contributions to commercially released games.
• In-depth knowledge of game design principles, player psychology, and narrative design.
• Experience designing and balancing complex game systems (e.g., combat, economy, progression, AI).
• Proficiency with game development tools and engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine).
• Excellent documentation skills, including GDDs, system specifications, and wireframes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills for remote teamwork.
• Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Fully remote work arrangement, offering maximum flexibility.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Annual budget for professional development, including conferences and training.
• Allowance for home office setup and equipment.
• Regular virtual team events and opportunities for creative collaboration.
• Opportunity to work on exciting, innovative game projects.