Lead Game Designer/ Unreal Engine ( Dark Fantasy JRPG game)

Forbidden Kemono Studio LLC is an indie game studio focused on building character-driven PC games in Unreal Engine. They are seeking a Lead Game Designer to take ownership of the game's design direction for their in-development project, Forbidden Blood, emphasizing gameplay systems, combat design, and player progression.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and development of core gameplay systems
• Define and iterate on combat, progression, and player mechanics
• Create and maintain clear design documentation (GDD, system breakdowns, feature specs)
• Collaborate closely with gameplay programmers and artists
• Guide and support other designers on the team
• Analyze gameplay and iterate based on feedback and testing
• Ensure systems are cohesive, scalable, and aligned with the project vision
• Help establish design pipelines and workflows within the team

Requirements:

• Must be based in the United States or Canada
• Strong experience in game design (indie, professional, or shipped projects)
• Experience designing gameplay systems, progression, or combat mechanics
• Ability to lead design decisions and guide a team
• Strong communication and documentation skills
• Familiarity with Unreal Engine workflows
• Comfortable working in a remote, revenue-share environment
• Able to commit at least 10 hours per week
• Experience as a Lead Designer or Systems Designer
• Experience with combat design or RPG-style systems
• Knowledge of C++ or Blueprint scripting (Unreal Engine)
• Experience working on team-based game development projects
• Strong understanding of player progression and game loops