game designer (Unpaid)

About Snooze:

We are often asked what "Snooze" is. Is it a gaming venture that makes an app? Does it produce podcasts? Is it a venture with communities that promote open dialogue, inclusion, and honesty in a world where there are so many fears, difficulties, and challenges, even to share what we feel?

We believe that Snooze is much more than a gaming venture. It is a social movement that promotes openness, vulnerability, sharing, and inclusion. The reason we do what we do is that we want to help people take care of their mental health and be happier every day, to feel better and to inspire them.

Main Accountabilities:

Economics:

• Architect and balance the game's economy, encompassing currency flows, resource management, progression and challenge rewards, and the cost structure of in-game elements.
• Develop detailed economic models to ensure a delicate equilibrium between difficulty, player advancement, and long-term motivation.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of game telemetry (e.g., conversion rates, resource utilization, player progression) to identify trends, potential issues, and economic imbalances, implementing data-driven adjustments.
• Design strong reward systems that incentivize desired player behaviors, such as teamwork, mutual assistance, and the application of personal growth principles.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of fundamental economic principles, including supply and demand, value perception, and their impact on player behavior within the game ecosystem.
• Continuously monitor the game's economic performance and implement ongoing optimizations to enhance player engagement and maintain long-term interest.

Level Design:

• Conceptualize and design diverse and captivating game levels (worlds) that align with the game's casual concept and the player's personal development journey.
• Create engaging challenges, puzzles, and mini-games that organically integrate core gameplay principles
• Strategically place in-game elements, including obstacles, rewards, and interactive points, to create smooth and enjoyable gameplay flow.
• Carefully consider player progression pacing and the difficulty curve across various game stages.
• Utilize game development tools to build and implement levels, while considering technical constraints and performance considerations.
• Iteratively test and refine levels to ensure they are fun, appropriately challenging, and aligned with the desired user experience.

User Experience (UX):

• Apply fundamental UX principles to game design, ensuring an intuitive, enjoyable, and accessible experience for casual players.
• Consider the needs and expectations of the target audience, emphasizing a relaxed and casual gameplay loop.
• Conduct user testing at various development stages and gather feedback to identify usability issues and continuously improve the user experience.
• Collaborate effectively with the development team (artists, Unity Developers Etc.) to ensure seamless integration of UX design with the game's aesthetics and functionality.

Overall Objectives:

• Craft engaging and accessible casual game levels that seamlessly integrate core mechanics through compelling challenges and intuitive design, ensuring a smooth progression and enjoyable user experience.
• Develop and maintain a balanced and strong game economy that cultivate a fair and engaging experience for all players, driving meaningful progression and long-term retention.
• Ensure a fluid and intuitive user experience that allows players to focus on the core gameplay and narrative without friction.

Qualifications:

• Economic Understanding: Strong understanding of game economy principles, including inflation, deflation, resource scarcity, and player incentives. Experience in building and balancing complex economic models.
• Level Design Expertise: Solid portfolio showcasing creative and effective level design skills, with an understanding of flow, pacing, and player guidance. Familiarity with level design tools and methodologies.
• Analytical Skills: Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach. Experience in analyzing game metrics and translating data into actionable design improvements.
• UX/UI Fundamentals: Understanding of core UX/UI principles and best practices for creating intuitive and user-friendly interfaces.
• Collaboration: Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively within a diversified team.
• Experience: A distinct advantage for those with Proven experience (e.g., 2+ years) as a Game Designer with demonstrable experience in both economy design and level design, preferably within the casual games market.
• Passion for Games: A genuine passion for games and a deep understanding of player motivations and engagement strategies, particularly within the casual genre.

Bonus Points:

• Experience with Unity Engine.
• Knowledge of behavioral economics principles.
• Experience with live game operations and post-launch content.

Benefits:

• Mentorship and guidance from industry experts ("Coaches").
• Opportunity to work with industry-standard tools like Monday, Jira, and Slack.
• Collaborative and supportive team environment.
• Chance to gain valuable experience in all aspects of game development.
• Potential to turn the project into a real start-up.
• Team-building activities and external events.

Keen to explore your potential with us? Please submit your CV/resume and portfolio for review. We'll be in touch!