Senior Game Systems Designer

Placements24; East London; Sur place; ZAR 900 000 - 1 200 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Generous PTO

Relocation assistance

Professional development

Résumé du poste

Placements24 in East London, Eastern Cape, is seeking a Senior Game Systems Designer to conceptualize and implement engaging gameplay systems for upcoming titles. You will shape core loops, progression, and combat mechanics, collaborating with engineers, artists, and designers to craft cohesive experiences.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in game design, a strong portfolio of shipped titles, and deep knowledge of player psychology and progression systems.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in game design with a focus on systems design.
• Portfolio demonstrating shipped titles and complex game systems.
• Strong understanding of game mechanics, player psychology, and progression models.
• Proficiency in design documentation and prototyping tools.

Responsabilités

• Design, document, and iterate core gameplay systems (combat, progression, economy, abilities).
• Create design documents, flowcharts, and prototypes to communicate systems.
• Collaborate with engineers, artists, and designers to integrate systems.
• Balance mechanics for fair, challenging, rewarding gameplay.
• Mentor junior designers and contribute to a collaborative team.

Connaissances

Game design

Systems design

Portfolio

Unity

Unreal Engine

Formation

Bachelor's degree (Game Design / CS / Psychology / related)

Outils

Spreadsheets

Flowcharts

Basic scripting

Description du poste

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic and innovative game development studio located in **East London**, is seeking a talented Senior Game Systems Designer to conceptualize and implement engaging gameplay systems for their upcoming titles. This role requires a creative thinker with a deep understanding of player psychology and game mechanics. You will be instrumental in designing core gameplay loops, progression systems, combat mechanics, and other interactive elements that define the player experience. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute your design vision to cutting-edge games in **East London, Eastern Cape**, shaping the very foundation of gameplay. We are looking for someone passionate about creating fun, balanced, and compelling game systems, with a proven track record in game design. The ideal candidate will be a strong collaborator, adept at translating abstract ideas into tangible, enjoyable gameplay experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, document, and iterate on core gameplay systems, including combat, progression, economy, and player abilities.
• Create detailed design documents, flowcharts, and prototypes to communicate system designs.
• Collaborate closely with engineers, artists, and other designers to ensure seamless integration of systems into the game.
• Balance game mechanics to ensure a fair, challenging, and rewarding player experience.
• Conduct playtesting sessions and analyze feedback to refine and improve system designs.
• Stay current with industry trends and player expectations in game systems design.
• Mentor junior designers and contribute to a positive and collaborative team environment in **Eastern Cape**.
• Clearly articulate design decisions and rationale to the development team and stakeholders.
• Contribute to the overall vision and direction of the game's player experience.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in game design, with a significant focus on systems design.
• A strong portfolio showcasing design work on shipped titles, particularly demonstrating expertise in complex game systems.
• Deep understanding of game mechanics, player psychology, and player progression models.
• Proficiency in game design documentation and prototyping tools (e.g., spreadsheets, flowcharts, basic scripting).
• Experience with game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, iterative development environment in **East London**.
• Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, Psychology, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• A creative and collaborative work environment in **East London**.
• Opportunity to work on innovative and exciting game titles.
• Professional development and learning opportunities.
• Relocation assistance may be considered for exceptional candidates.