Lead Game Designer

Overview:

As a Designer for an exciting new Original IP title for Consoles, you'll play a pivotal role in multidisciplinary project leadership by bringing expertise in game design. In this role, you’ll collaborate with the Game Lead and discipline leads to contribute a strong and cohesive vision and lead effective execution. You'll utilize your exceptional design skills and communication skills to ensure the design team alignment as well as individually contribute as an expert designer.

In this role, you will:

• Partner with the General Manager to contribute to game vision and take responsibility for overall game design.
• Design and implementation of features and game systems.
• Lead the project’s designers to ensure the best work possible and support growth.
• Partner with engineering to develop content creation tools addressing the requirements of design.
• Ensure cross-functionally aligned and actionable designs by owning the design process and sign-off, and through writing design briefs, acceptance criteria, intent and goals.
• Create, review and maintenance of design documents, such as design briefs and feature design documents.
• Develop frameworks for content creation (such as design templates), gameplay flow (such as game loops), and overall integration of design components.
• Identify opportunities to utilize analytics for game tuning and informing design decisions.
• Align across goals and constraints to ensure the team works within constraints, engaging with reprioritization as needed, and identify opportunities for design scope optimization.
• Oversee and guide designers to quickly prototype design ideas to answer questions or validate assumptions.
• Ensure regular feedback from peers, such as by contributing to review processes and leading playtesting.
• Support the team to pitch new ideas within the studio’s pitching framework.

Requirements:

• Experience in game design
• Proven track record of delivering successful game titles.
• Strong understanding of game design principles and experience with different game genres.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to provide clear and constructive feedback.
• Solid understanding of the game development process and ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• A passion for gaming and a strong desire to create exceptional experiences for players.

Bonus Points!

• Experience working across PC, Console, or Premium titles.
• Sound knowledge in analytics and product management.

What we offer here at PlaySide:

• Playdays - an additional 5 paid days off per year to do something you love.
• Incredible studios based in gorgeous Port Melbourne, right next to the city and many public transport options.
• Industry-leading Parental Leave benefits.
• Employee Assistance Program to support mental well-being.
• Mentoring opportunities to help you grow in your role.
• Half price state-of-the-art Gym access! (right next door) - you can wear your free PlaySide Swag!
• Social events including Games night, karaoke nights, Movie Nights (We hire out the cinema!), group activities, and food trucks! Just as some examples!
• Relocation Assistance