inhousefyi
← Back to listings

Senior Designer

Ghost Story GamesRemote · Posted 1 month ago
Full-timeRemoteEst. 132,810 USD
Apply now

Description

Who We Are:

Ghost Story Games is a self-publishing game development studio founded by Ken Levine (Creative Director of System Shock 2, Bioshock, and Bioshock Infinite) and former Irrational Games developers. The studio’s mission is to create narrative-driven experiences rooted in immersive world building and gameplay.

The Challenge:

Ghost Story Games is seeking a talented remote Senior Designer to join us on Judas, the highly anticipated game led by Ken Levine (System Shock 2, BioShock series). Unique in its creative vision, Judas is also built upon novel technology by which the visual world, gameplay, and story unfolds in meaningful, dynamic ways. The result is a significant and personal journey adapted to each player’s experience and offers a new approach to the art and storytelling of video games.

We’re looking for an experienced lead designer to help build the best possible gameplay experience for our next project. You have a strong understanding of level design, gameplay pacing and global balance and keep a holistic view of how it all fits together in moment to moment gameplay. You have a strong ability to deconstruct high level gameplay systems, breaking them down into specific technical details, features and tasks as well as possess the technical acumen to dive in and hook it all up in a highly systemic game.

What You’ll Take On:

  • Primary ownership for the design, prototyping and fostering of one or more core gameplay systems, including player mechanics, world simulation and / or AI.

  • Lead, coordinate and participate in collaborative, interdisciplinary sub-teams to implement and balance gameplay features from initial design to final polish.

  • Author, revise and provide feedback on internal design documentation, including feature specifications and implementation guides.

  • Collaborate with the design team to incorporate systems into level gameplay and maintain overall balance between multiple gameplay systems.

  • Continually iterate, balance and tune features and gameplay based on feedback from design leads, QA and playtesting.

What You Bring:

  • 10+ years of design experience on PC or console games in a systems design capacity.

  • Have worked on projects throughout the entire production cycle, from concepting through ship.

  • Strong skills in design/scripting (Unreal 4 experience preferred).

  • Ability to work independently to diagnose and solve problems; to work within a schedule; and to deliver effectively to deadlines.

  • Excellent communication, collaboration, interpersonal and organizational skills.

  • Familiarity with highly systemic games with procedural elements.

  • Experience with design for shooters, immersive sims and/or action RPGs.

  • Experience with Perforce or similar source control solutions.

When Applying For This Position:

Please watch the following GDC talk given by Ken Levine: http://www.gdcvault.com/play/1020434/Narrative


The pay range for this position in Massachusetts at the start of employment is expected to be between $107,100 and $158,520 per year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for employees in regular roles may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, provided that temporary or intern roles will not be eligible for many of these payments or benefits. Details of participation in compensation and benefit plans (if applicable) will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.If hired, employee will be in an ~at-will position~ and the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

When Applying For This Position:

Please watch the following GDC talk given by Ken Levine: http://www.gdcvault.com/play/1020434/Narrative

Please be aware that Ghost Story does not conduct job interviews or make job offers over third-party messaging apps such as Telegram, WhatsApp, or others. Ghost Story also does not engage in any financial exchanges during the recruitment or onboarding process, and the Ghost Story will never ask a candidate for their personal or financial information over an app or other unofficial chat channel. Any attempt to do so may be the result of a scam or phishing exercise. Ghost Story’s in-house recruitment team will only contact individuals through their official Ghost Story email addresses (i.e., via a ghoststorygames.com email domain). If you need to report an issue or otherwise have questions, please contact Careers@ghoststorygames.com

As an equal opportunity employer, Ghost Story Games, LLC (“Ghost Story”) is committed to fostering and celebrating the diverse thoughts, cultures, and backgrounds of its talent, partners, and communities throughout its organization. Consistent with this commitment, Ghost Story does not discriminate or retaliate against any employee or job applicant because of their race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, and genetic information (including family medical history), or on the basis of any other trait protected by applicable law. If you need to report a concern or have questions regarding Ghost Story’s equal opportunity commitment, please contact Careers@ghoststorygames.com.

Similar jobs

Senior Designer7 days ago

Est. 132,810 USD

Who We Are: Ghost Story Games is a self-publishing game development studio founded by Ken Levine (Creative Director of System Shock 2, Bioshock, and Bioshock Infinite) and former Irrational Games developers. The studio’s…

Full-timeRemote

Est. 225,000 USD

Who We Are: Ghost Story Games is a self-publishing game development studio founded by Ken Levine (Creative Director of System Shock 2, Bioshock, and Bioshock Infinite) and former Irrational Games developers. The studio’s…

Full-timeRemote

Est. 225,000 USD

Who We Are: Ghost Story Games is a self-publishing game development studio founded by Ken Levine (Creative Director of System Shock 2, Bioshock, and Bioshock Infinite) and former Irrational Games developers. The studio’s…

Full-timeRemote

Est. 120,000 USD

Eleventh Hour Games is a fast growing studio, focused on a passion for top-down action RPGs. We value open communication, close-knit teamwork, and opportunity for ownership and growth! Our mission is to gather and empowe…

Full-timeRemote
2KNovato, California, United States

Est. 124,260 USD

As a Senior Level Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will be responsible for blocking out the world and crafting the player experience within the stunning narrative experience and systems-driven world of BioShock. At your co…

Full-time
Cloud ChamberNovato, California, United States

Est. 124,260 USD

As a Senior Level Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will be responsible for blocking out the world and crafting the player experience within the stunning narrative experience and systems-driven world of BioShock. At your co…

Full-time
Cloud ChamberNovato, California, United States

Est. 124,260 USD

As a Senior Combat Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will be responsible for scripting and shaping unforgettable encounters throughout the world of BioShock 4. You will set the standard for what interactive gameplay moments…

Full-time
PlayStation GlobalSanta Monica, California, United States

Est. 163,250 USD

Why Sony Interactive Entertainment? Sony Interactive Entertainment isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is the company behind the PlayStation brand. A…

Full-time
Cloud ChamberNovato, California, United States

Est. 124,260 USD

As a Senior Combat Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will collaborate with an innovative team of designers, artists, and engineers to create industry-leading AI characters and combat gameplay. You will be responsible for ex…

Full-time
Naughty DogSanta Monica, California, United States

Est. 163,250 USD

This is a hybrid/ onsite position. For nearly 40 years, Naughty Dog has been crafting best-selling, critically acclaimed games that constantly push the boundaries of narrative, gameplay, and technology. Naughty Dog recen…

Full-time
2KNovato, California, United States

Est. 124,260 USD

As a Senior Combat Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will be responsible for scripting and shaping unforgettable encounters throughout the world of BioShock 4. You will set the standard for what interactive gameplay moments…

Full-time
Naughty DogSanta Monica, California, United States

Est. 117,696 USD

This position is for temporary engagement through our staffing partner, Yoh Enterprise Solutions. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for this position. This is a hybrid / onsite position. For near…

Full-time
2KNovato, California, United States

Est. 124,260 USD

As a Senior Combat Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will collaborate with an innovative team of designers, artists, and engineers to create industry-leading AI characters and combat gameplay. You will be responsible for ex…

Full-time
Cloud ChamberMontréal, Quebec, Canada

As a Senior Level Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will be responsible for blocking out the world and crafting the player experience within the stunning narrative experience and systems-driven world of BioShock. At your co…

Full-time
2KRemote

Est. 125,000 USD

Who We Are The Gearbox Entertainment Company is home to a world-class team that entertains the world with award-winning and genre-defining video games. Our games are entrenched with rich universes that are expanded upon…

Full-timeRemote
2KMontréal, Quebec, Canada

As a Senior Level Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will be responsible for blocking out the world and crafting the player experience within the stunning narrative experience and systems-driven world of BioShock. At your co…

Full-time

Est. 120,000 USD

Eleventh Hour Games is a fast growing studio, focused on a passion for top-down action RPGs. We value open communication, close-knit teamwork, and opportunity for ownership and growth! Our mission is to gather and empowe…

Full-timeRemote
Senior AI Designer4 months ago
2KBrighton, England, United Kingdom

Est. 60,000 GBP

Reporting to Lead Gameplay Designer Job Title Senior AI Designer Department Game Design/Scripting Location Brighton Who We Are Hangar 13 is an internal 2K development studio that creates influential AAA video game experi…

Full-time
Gameplay Engineer5 months ago
2KNovato, California, United States

Est. 106,280 USD

As a Gameplay Engineer at Cloud Chamber you will bridge the gap between technical execution and creative vision, ensuring that our player-centric gameplay feels as impactful as it looks. You will work in close collaborat…

Full-time
2K CzechBrighton, England, United Kingdom

Est. 80,000 GBP

Job Title Senior Gameplay & Animation Engineer Department Engineering Location(s) Brighton (preferred), Brno, Prague Reports To Lead engineer Job Type (Permanent, fixed term, internship) Permanent Who We Are Home to…

Full-time
2KBrighton, England, United Kingdom

Est. 80,000 GBP

Job Title Senior Gameplay & Animation Engineer Department Engineering Location(s) Brighton (preferred), Brno, Prague Reports To Lead engineer Job Type (Permanent, fixed term, internship) Permanent Who We Are Home to…

Full-time
Hangar 13Brighton, England, United Kingdom

Est. 80,000 GBP

Job Title Senior Gameplay & Animation Engineer Department Engineering Location(s) Brighton (preferred), Brno, Prague Reports To Lead engineer Job Type (Permanent, fixed term, internship) Permanent Who We Are Home to…

Full-time
Mob EntertainmentUnited States

Est. 128,500 USD

Mob Entertainment is a startup multimedia studio that is best known for our hit indie horror game "Poppy Playtime". This franchise is one of the hottest new properties in gaming, and our team is naturally expanding as ou…

Full-time
Lead Designer8 days ago
2KSan Mateo, California, United States

Est. 158,750 USD

WE ARE GAME MAKERS Who We Are: We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to build amazing games that thrill players everywhere…

Full-time
Lead Designer8 days ago
31st UnionSan Mateo, California, United States

Est. 158,750 USD

WE ARE GAME MAKERS Who We Are: We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to build amazing games that thrill players everywhere…

Full-time
teamLFGRemote

Est. 147,500 USD

Are you on a mission to create games that bond players together into deeply invested communities? Do you spend your time thinking about how to build combat puzzles for players that have potential to create memorable team…

Full-timeRemote
Gameplay Engineer5 months ago
Cloud ChamberNovato, California, United States

Est. 106,280 USD

As a Gameplay Engineer at Cloud Chamber you will bridge the gap between technical execution and creative vision, ensuring that our player-centric gameplay feels as impactful as it looks. You will work in close collaborat…

Full-time
Naughty DogSanta Monica, California, United States

Est. 77,440 USD

This position is for temporary engagement through our staffing partner, Yoh Enterprise Solutions. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for this position. This is a hybrid / onsite position. For near…

Full-time
Senior AI Designer4 months ago
Hangar 13Brighton, England, United Kingdom

Est. 60,000 GBP

Reporting to Lead Gameplay Designer Job Title Senior AI Designer Department Game Design/Scripting Location Brighton Who We Are Hangar 13 is an internal 2K development studio that creates influential AAA video game experi…

Full-time
teamLFGRemote

Est. 216,000 USD

Are you on a mission to create games that bond players together into deeply invested communities? Are you fascinated by IPs that blend genres and approach UX/UI in potentially novel ways? Are you delighted by game interf…

Full-timeRemote