Firestoke is a new publisher of indie PC and Console games and they’re looking to recruit a talented and enthusiastic Game Designer and Game Scout.
This is a unique design and scouting role at an indie publisher that strives for excellent quality and attention to detail. This hybrid role offers responsibilities and creative opportunities that you are unlikely to find elsewhere.
Firestoke’s aim is to connect a growing global audience of players with the games they love. Driven by creative inspiration but informed by data, enabling to bring players the best indie games from the brightest development talent.
You will report to the Design Director and play a key role in the creative process across multiple game projects and genres at various stages of development and moving through parallel production pipelines.
Your duties will include mentoring and collaborating with the development partners to provide invaluable gameplay feedback and creative support, performing rigorous testing of their builds to ensure they are robust and fun, scouting for the next big indie hit game, outreaching to developers at both physical and digital events and much more.
Your responsibilities…
Develop and maintain productive working relationships with partners, from initial outreach to development, launch and post-launch
Methodically test game builds and milestone deliveries, generate reports, and communicate actionable issues to our partners and the Firestoke team
Frequently liaise with partners to analyse, critique, and improve upon existing features/mechanics to make sure the games are fun and exceptional whilst within the parameters of the budget and production roadmap
Mentor and consult smaller/solo dev teams which lack the design resources or skills required to develop key features for their game
Offer ideas and solutions in a number of gameplay areas including core mechanics, progression systems/meta, playloops, AI balancing, visual direction, narrative, and character development, to name a few
Support the Design Director with scouting by finding new and innovative games according to brief requirements and Firestoke’s portfolio strategy
Play, review and critique game submissions and provide relevant feedback for applicants
Actively research new trends, studios, leads and opportunities and present your findings to the Design Director and wider team during internal showcases
Maintain a database of scout finds and network contacts
Attend domestic and international gaming events, shows and meetups to scout for new titles, assist with business development and represent Firestoke and developers at industry events
The skills and experience you’ll bring to the role…
2+ years’ experience in professional game design
Experience working in a game design position on at least one shipped Console/PC title
Ability to demonstrate examples of your documentation/development skills
Strong knowledge of games and a great understanding of what makes a good game and what makes an outstanding one
True gamer with a passion for indie video games and a broad taste in gaming genres
A solid understanding of game design principles with an excellent grasp of what makes a genre defining game
Organised with strong attention to detail
Effective communication and presentation skills
Confident, self-starter comfortable working independently and manage a schedule while working remotely
Proficient with Adobe suite (specifically photoshop) and Gsuite (Docs, Sheets, Slides), MS Suite (Word, Excel)
Familiarity with Notion, Trello, Jira and other Atlassian software
Fluent in the English Language
Desirable but not essential…
Education in game design/development at degree or college level
Experience with mainstream game engines
Familiar with gaming on PC and Consoles
Familiar with premium experiences that feature single player, co-op, PVE and PVP modes
2D or 3D Artistic ability (modelling, VFX)
Scripting/coding skills
Firestoke has been founded by a small, dedicated team that have built a team and working culture that is friendly and respectful, they offer share options, flexible working, and a generous holiday allocation as part of their perks and benefits package.
