Senior Game Designer (Systems)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Performance bonuses

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Game Designer focused on Systems in Polokwane, Limpopo. You will conceptualize, define, and implement core mechanics, progression systems, and economic loops to shape engaging player experiences.

You will collaborate with engineers, artists, and producers to ensure balanced, well-designed systems and clear design docs. A passion for games and strong collaboration skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years in game design with a focus on systems design in shipped titles.
• Proven ability to design, balance, and implement complex game systems.
• Excellent understanding of player psychology and motivation.
• Strong documentation skills with Confluence/JIRA or similar tools.

Responsibilities

• Design, document, and iterate core game systems including combat, economy, progression, AI, and UI/UX flows.
• Balance systems to ensure fair, challenging, rewarding experiences.
• Collaborate with engineers to implement systems efficiently.
• Ensure systems align with game vision across art and narrative.
• Create clear design documents accessible to all team members.
• Analyze player data and feedback to drive iteration on systems.
• Prototype and test new system ideas to validate concepts.
• Mentor junior designers and share knowledge.

Skills

Systems design

Player psychology

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Game Design

Tools

Confluence

JIRA

Lua

Python

Unreal Blueprints

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a highly respected game studio renowned for creating innovative and engaging gameplay experiences, is looking for a Senior Game Designer focused on Systems to join their dynamic team in Polokwane, Limpopo. This role is pivotal in conceptualizing, defining, and implementing the core mechanics, progression systems, and economic loops that form the backbone of our games. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, including engineers, artists, and producers, to ensure that systems are well-designed, balanced, and contribute to a cohesive and compelling player experience. We seek a candidate with a deep understanding of game mechanics, a passion for player motivation, and the ability to translate complex ideas into clear, actionable design documents. Join us in Polokwane and help craft the engaging systems that players will love.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, document, and iterate on core game systems, including combat, economy, progression, AI behavior, and UI/UX flows.
• Balance game systems to ensure a fair, challenging, and rewarding player experience.
• Collaborate with engineers to ensure systems are implemented correctly and efficiently.
• Work with artists and narrative designers to ensure systems align with the game's overall vision and tone.
• Create clear and concise design documentation for complex systems, accessible to all team members.
• Analyze player data and feedback to identify areas for improvement and iteration on existing systems.
• Prototype and test new system ideas to validate concepts and identify potential issues early.
• Mentor junior designers and contribute to the team's knowledge sharing and best practices.
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging design philosophies in game systems.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 5+ years of professional game design experience, with a significant focus on systems design in shipped titles.
• Proven ability to design, balance, and implement complex game systems.
• Excellent understanding of player psychology and motivation.
• Strong documentation skills, with experience using tools like Confluence, JIRA, or similar.
• Proficiency in scripting languages (e.g., Lua, Python) or game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine Blueprints) is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities, essential for collaborating in Polokwane, Limpopo.
• A passion for games and a deep understanding of what makes them fun and engaging.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Comprehensive health insurance
• A retirement savings plan
• Performance bonuses
• Ample opportunities for professional growth