[Remote] Game Designer (Project Based Role)

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Meow Wolf is a creative company that designs immersive and interactive experiences through art and exploration. They are seeking a Game Designer to develop quest experiences within themed exhibitions, focusing on integrating game mechanics with physical installations and mobile applications. Responsibilities • Design Quest Experiences: Develop engaging and immersive quest lines using familiar game mechanics like exploration, puzzle-solving, inventory, and progression systems • Gameplay Systems Development: Create and iterate on core gameplay systems, including player progression, reward systems, narrative structures, and dynamic world interactions • User-Centric Design: Collaborate with UX/UI designers to develop intuitive and accessible interfaces for quests, ensuring a seamless blend of physical and digital interactions • Prototyping and Iteration: Use rapid prototyping techniques, including paper prototyping, to quickly test and validate ideas before moving to digital implementation. Iterate on gameplay mechanics based on playtesting feedback and data • Workflow Development: Establish workflows for the development of quests and interactive gameplay, ensuring clear milestones, iterative feedback loops, and effective cross-team collaboration • Collaborative Development: Work with cross-disciplinary teams (art, engineering, product management) to ensure alignment on game vision and execution • Integration of Mobile App & Physical Space: Develop gameplay that leverages the physical space in tandem with a mobile app, ensuring smooth transitions between real-world and in-app interactions • Data-Informed Design: Utilize data insights from playtesting, guest interactions, and user feedback to continuously improve and refine gameplay systems • Storytelling and World-Building: Collaborate with the story team to integrate storytelling into quest design, ensuring that gameplay is both fun and narratively meaningful, building a sense of immersion and progression • Technical Collaboration: Work with developers to ensure that game systems are optimized for performance across both mobile platforms and physical installations Skills • 8+ years of experience in game design or system design, with a portfolio showcasing your work in video games and/or interactive experiences • Proficiency with industry-standard tools and game engines such as Unity, Unreal Engine, or similar platforms • Strong problem-solving abilities, able to think critically about how digital and physical gameplay can merge to create unique experiences • Demonstrated experience working in cross-functional teams, including UX/UI, product management, and development teams, with the ability to communicate design intent clearly and effectively • Experience using analytics tools to track and analyze user behavior, using that data to iterate on design elements • Proficiency in narrative-driven game design, creating systems that enhance storytelling and player agency • Experience with augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), or mixed reality (MR) design, bridging physical and digital gameplay • Experience designing for multiple platforms, with a focus on mobile-first gameplay that interacts with physical environments • Experience working on games with live service elements, managing updates, balancing, and ongoing content releases post-launch • Knowledge of design philosophies from major game studios and the ability to apply these insights to real-world, live entertainment Benefits • Medical Insurance options: PPO & HDHP • Dental and Vision Insurance • HSA, HRA, and FSA options • 401k Retirement Plan • Company paid Life Insurance Policy and Disability Coverage(s) • Voluntary Critical Illness and Life Insurance Policies • Company Paid Employee Assistance Program • Paid Parental Leave for 12 weeks • Discount off Meow Wolf Gift Shop Merch and Cafes • Admission to Meow Wolf attractions for employees and guests Company Overview • Meow Wolf creates entertainment that delights audiences through location-based and digital media experiences. It was founded in 2008, and is headquartered in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, with a workforce of 1001-5000 employees. Its website is Apply tot his job