Space Rock Games is a fully-remote game development studio based in New Zealand, with team members who worked on games like Fable, Path of Exile, Alien vs Predator, Chivalry 2 and many others.

 

We are committed to ethical development practices with zero tolerance toward harassment and abuse while also having a no-crunch policy. 

 

Our first game, Criminals Within, is a 3rd person comedic two player action game set in a medieval fantasy kingdom and is currently in development. 

 

We are looking for an experienced Game Designer to join us in the development of our debut game - Criminals Within. 

 

If you are eager to tackle any problem that arises, if you love medieval fantasy and you like the flexibility of being able to work from wherever you want - we would love to hear from you!​

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Job type 

Full-time contract role with flexible hours, remote only. ​

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What you would be doing​

• Design, develop, and iterate on combat mechanics, systems, and enemy encounters, ensuring they are balanced, engaging, and aligned with the overall game vision.

• Create innovative and stimulating puzzle designs that integrate seamlessly into the cooperative action gameplay, encouraging players to work together to overcome challenges.

• Prototype and iterate on game mechanics and systems to ensure they are engaging, balanced, and aligned with the intended gameplay experience.

• Conduct playtests and gather feedback to refine combat and puzzle designs, addressing player concerns and iterating on mechanics as needed.

• Establish clear design documentation, including detailed mechanics, rules, and guidelines, to communicate your vision effectively with the team.

• Work closely with artists and animators to ensure combat animations, visual effects, and environmental cues enhance the player's understanding and enjoyment of the game's combat and puzzle mechanics.

• Stay up to date with industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies to continuously improve the game's design and mechanics.

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What you must have

• 5+ years of professional experience in game design, with a strong focus on combat and puzzle design with at least one commercially released title under your belt.

• Demonstrated experience in designing combat mechanics, enemy encounters, and puzzle systems for action-oriented games.

• Strong understanding of cooperative gameplay mechanics, combat systems, and player progression.

• Proficiency in designing and implementing combat mechanics, including player abilities, enemy AI, combat balance, and difficulty progression.

• Experience using Unreal Engine 4/5 to develop and fine-tune game mechanics and systems.

• Excellent knowledge of game design principles, methodologies, and documentation practices.

• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with a keen eye for detail.

• Availability between 11 am and 3 pm on weekdays (New Zealand time)

• Ability to effectively communicate in English, both verbally and written

• A portfolio showcasing your previous game design work, particularly focusing on combat and cooperative gameplay design.

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What is advantageous to have

• A passion for medieval fantasy settings and a deep understanding of the genre's tropes and conventions.

• Familiarity with level design principles and tools, allowing for seamless integration of combat encounters and puzzles into game environments.

• Experience with agile development methodologies, such as Scrum or Kanban.

• Experience with Unreal Engine’s Gameplay Ability System.

• Experience making AAA games.

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Salary range

​NZD $80,000 - $100,000 based on experience

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Additional perks

• You can work on an awesome medieval fantasy action game coming to PC/Console

• You can actually meaningfully contribute to the game

• Flexible working hours

• Strict no crunch policy

• Work from home - or anywhere you want as long as you have access to internet

• Profit pool - we all benefit from a successful game

• Stock options

• Team building and games nights

• Friendly, respectful and supportive working environment

• Time to explore learning opportunities

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If you are interested please don't hesitate to reach out. Send us an email at careers@spacerockgames.com with your portfolio and CV and we will be in touch!