Game Developer

About the position

The goal of the Game Developer is to oversee the creation and refinement of new tabletop game products under the Unstable Games umbrella to ensure cohesive, engaging, and on-brand tabletop gaming experiences for all players and to serve as the subject matter expert for each game. In addition to the accountabilities listed below, other duties and projects may be assigned.

Responsibilities

• Develop thorough and easy to understand games-rule documentation including complete rule books, one-page inserts, card and component inventories, and other documents as required that are in line with TeeTurtle's rule-writing guidelines and expectations.
• Review gameplay mechanics to ensure a clear framework, standardized language, and on-theme to achievement of TeeTurtle's vision.
• Perform testing and refinement to transition a game efficiently and smoothly from the developmental phase into the standardization / final testing phase.
• Implement edits to rules, inventory, and game mechanics based on feedback and development direction for games provided by Creative leadership to align the finished product with the creative vision.
• Create, maintain, and update Standardization Guides as new named terms are established for games in development, and ensure the new information is shared with all necessary parties to keep the game language consistent.
• Work with games and creative team leadership to establish card and component counts, ratios, and effect balance to ensure seamless and engaging gameplay.
• Provide regular updates on game development progress both in meetings and in writing to keep all parties aligned on current challenges and next steps.
• Assemble design/component requirements for use by Illustration, Product Design, & Packaging teams to ensure all parties have the most up-to-date information available.
• Act as a representative of the Games team in all game proofing processes to ensure all files/components are present and accurate.
• Assist with the initial planning of Crowdfunding projects within the Games team as assigned, to help ensure an engaging and accurate campaign.
• Give feedback during the game design process to help avoid potential pitfalls, balance challenges, and problematic gameplay loops, and make recommendations for correction when appropriate.
• Conduct research on games currently on the market to develop an understanding of the competitive landscape and identify emerging categories for new game development.
• Analyze feedback from previously released Unstable Games items and provide suggestions for future improvements to ensure our game library is always evolving and improving.
• Review new content hitting the market via relevant platforms such as Board Game Geek, YouTube, and social media platforms to stay up to date on what's trending.
• Evaluate player feedback provided during the external playtesting and suggest modifications to gameplay to help the team make informed adjustments to create the most enjoyable player experience possible.
• Run statistical analysis on game components and functions, tracking probabilities and alerting the team of potential pitfalls to ensure gameplay is balanced and problematic loops are closed.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent (required).
• 2+ years of tabletop gameplay experience, including rule comprehension and strategic thinking (strongly preferred).
• Proficiency with Tabletop Simulator or equivalent, Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, Google Sheets, and Trello (strongly preferred).
• Ability to travel (estimated 1-2 times per year).
• U.S. Residency.

Benefits

• Generous PTO policy to provide flexibility, work-life balance, and time to celebrate what is important to you.
• 401(k) with a company match.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage options for employee, spouse or domestic partner, and dependent children.
• Employee Assistance Program, including three free sessions with a licensed behavioral health provider for all employees enrolled in TeeTurtle's medical plan.
• 75% employee discount and free shipping on TeeTurtle.com and UnstableGames.com.
• Potential for training and professional development opportunities.
• A creative and fast-paced work environment.
• A culture of integrity, compassion, curiosity, and calmness.