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