Lead Game Designer

About the Role

As the gaming industry continues to shift towards more dynamic and player-centric experiences, the need for talented game designers who can balance gameplay mechanics, drive live operations, and leverage analytics to optimize player engagement and retention has never been more pressing. Big Time Studios, with its commitment to innovation and player satisfaction, is the ideal place for a professional looking to make a significant impact in the field.

Big Time Studios' approach to game design emphasizes player-owned economies, robust NFT marketplaces, and seamless onboarding, setting a new standard for the industry. The successful candidate will be someone who can not only design and iterate on core gameplay mechanics but also lead a team in driving live operations, balancing game economies, and ensuring long-term player engagement through data-driven decisions.

What You Will Do

• Lead the design and iteration of core gameplay mechanics, ensuring deep, engaging, and scalable systems.
• Oversee live events, seasonal content, balance updates, and other live service elements to maximize player engagement and long-term retention.
• Leverage player telemetry, A/B testing, and analytics to make informed design decisions that improve user experience and game balance.
• Design and maintain a dynamic in-game economy, ensuring fair and engaging progression for all types of players.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, art, marketing, and community teams to align on game design, live operations, and player experience goals.
• Maintain detailed, up-to-date documentation on game systems, mechanics, and economy models to align with development goals.
• Guide a cross-functional team of designers, engineers, and artists to develop, launch, and maintain compelling gameplay systems.
• Manage game balancing, economy tuning, and live event design, ensuring that content updates keep the game fresh and exciting for players.
• Stay updated on industry trends, player feedback, and market analysis to continuously improve game design and operations.

What We Are Looking For

• 7+ years of game design experience, with shipped titles in live-service games (MMOs, strategy games, RPGs, or similar).
• Strong background in live operations and experience designing data-driven game updates that drive player retention.
• Proficiency in game analytics and telemetry tools, with a track record of using player data to refine and improve game systems.
• Deep understanding of in-game economies, balance, and progression systems, with experience in designing sustainable, engaging systems for online games.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with experience leading and mentoring design teams.
• Proficiency with industry-standard design and analytics tools, including spreadsheets for balancing and SQL for querying game data.
• Passion for building engaging online experiences that keep players coming back.

Nice to Have

• Experience with NFT marketplaces and blockchain technology.
• Knowledge of current gaming trends and the ability to apply this knowledge to game design decisions.
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and version control systems.

Benefits and Perks

• Fully remote work environment with flexible hours and a yearly company offsite to bring the whole team together.
• Competitive compensation package, including market-leading salary, performance-based bonuses, and stock options.
• Unlimited PTO, because we believe in a healthy work-life balance.
• Comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, vision, and other wellness programs.
• The opportunity to work with gaming industry veterans who have developed games generating over
  0B in combined revenue.
• Growth and impact: Be part of an early-stage project where you’ll have a major influence on the design, live operations, and overall player experience.

• Tip: Highlight your experience with live service games and data-driven design in your portfolio and resume, as these are key areas of focus for Big Time Studios.
• To stand out, be prepared to share specific examples of how you've used analytics to improve game systems and player engagement in previous roles.
• Develop a strong understanding of game economies and balance, as these are critical components of the Lead Game Designer role.
• When negotiating salary, consider not just the base compensation but also the potential for performance-based bonuses and stock options.
• Be sure to ask about the company culture and how the team collaborates remotely during the interview process to ensure it's a good fit for your work style.
• Consider creating a personal project or contributing to open-source game development projects to demonstrate your skills and passion for game design.