We at Values Value are currently looking for an experienced Lead Level Designer who will translate high-level design concepts into detailed level layouts, lead and mentor a team of level designers, overseeing the implementation of gameplay mechanics and more. We need a specialist with extensive knowledge of current survival horror titles and experience mentoring and motivating team members.
About the Employer
Our client is a game development studio that creates games highly praised by millions of players and industry experts worldwide. Currently they are working on a new AAA project with a horror survival setting (Action, Adventure) for PC/Console.
Responsibilities
As a Lead Level Designer, your primary responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks. You will lead and mentor a team of level designers, providing guidance, feedback, and support throughout the development process. This involves close cooperation with stakeholders and other teams to ensure that the levels created not only contribute to but also enhance the gameplay and game narrative. Your role includes translating high-level design concepts into detailed level layouts, ensuring a balanced mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat encounters.
You will prototype and iterate on gameplay spaces to optimize player engagement and pacing. Additionally, you will work closely with environment artists to ensure that levels are both visually stunning and technically optimized. Overseeing the implementation of gameplay mechanics, scripted events, and interactive elements within levels is a key part of your role.
Establishing quality benchmarks and driving the team to reach them is crucial, as is overseeing the creation and maintenance of detailed, comprehensive documentation. You will contribute to the creation and constant improvement of pipelines and processes, ensuring efficient and effective development workflows. Staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices in level design and survival horror games is essential to maintain the relevance and competitiveness of your projects.
Finally, you will organize and manage the production work related to the levels you are responsible for, coordinating the work of various departments to ensure seamless integration and delivery of high-quality game content.
The Ideal Candidate has:
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in level design for video games, with at least 2 years in a Lead Level Designer role (ideally survival horror genre).
- Proven track record of shipping successful titles on console/PC platforms.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, enabling effective collaboration with team members and the clear articulation of design concepts and intentions.
- Strong leadership abilities, with experience mentoring and motivating team members.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Proficiency in Unreal Engine, including blueprints.
- Excellent understanding of level design fundamentals and the role of level design in the overall player experience.
- Proficiency in creating map layouts at all stages of development – from initial sketches to fully realized levels.
- Understanding aesthetic and functional roles of the environment.
- Ability to clearly pitch and iterate gameplay ideas.
- Extensive knowledge of current survival horror titles.
- Creative problem-solving skills.
- Level of English – Upper Intermediate and higher.
- Experience with task and bug trackers.
What the Company Offers
- Stability and reliability. The company has been on the market for over 20 years and has released a number of successful projects.
- Medium size company – the opportunity for real influence on the product.
- The game is in its early stage.
- Highly professional team of Level Designers with 6 people under supervision.
- An agile environment with minimum bureaucracy.
- Paid vacations/sick leaves.
- Regular reviews/feedback and development support.
- Full-time, remote work.
If you see yourself in this description, please send your CV to talent@valuesvalue.com.
We also welcome recommendations!
