Game Design

Our journey so far…

Digital Lode has a vision to excite and draw everyone into the world of immersive media. With the support and commitment of our funding partners, we are growing. Until now we have produced one game at a time, with our latest title - Espire 2 - released November 2022. The studio is scaling up over the next 18 months to produce three new games simultaneously, so we are looking for talented game developers ready to take the journey to create unforgettable immersive player experiences.

About you:

You are genuinely passionate about all things Level Design, with a wealth of knowledge in level creation and design element choices. You understand what it means to purposefully place and define the environment within a level, so as to push the boundaries of immersion and captivate player experience. You are excited to get amongst new IPs, to provide critical feedback, and take the initiative to help us shape our new games over the coming years. Last of all, you are interested in VR, but may not have experience in it, but we can teach you that!

Responsibilities:

• Generate repeatable gameplay for players that accommodates dynamic and fun gameplay
• Being responsible for user interaction found within creative spaces 
• Plan and model design elements both on paper and in Unreal Engine, through the use of greyboxing and other techniques
• Design and create game levels from start to finish, including layout, environment creation, lighting, and some scripting
• Work closely with the game design team to ensure levels align with the game’s overall vision and goals
• Utilise Unreal Engine’s tools and features to create visually stunning environments
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure a smooth integration of assets and functionality into a levels creation
• Playtest levels regularly to identify and address any issues with gameplay, pacing, and player experience
• You will be planning, creating and refining designs of map creation

Skills, experience, attitude:

• Understands software development lifecycles and project management based methodologies such as Agile and Sprint. 
• Familiarity with operation tools such as Jira, Google Drive and Confluence
• Has experience using Unreal engine and familiar with blueprinting
• Able to be self sufficient in managing tasks expectations and prioritisation standards 
• Able to connect and interpret level design elements directly with user experience 
• Able to articulate and understand grey boxing and other mesh related components.
• Eye for architectural design elements that are incorporated into level design
• Worked on multiple titles from iterations to shipping of a game.
• Vast knowledge of different genres of games and the experience of level creation

Bonus points

• Significant experience using Unreal Engine
• Working on projects or titles that involve VR 
• Fluent knowledge of first person genre related titles
• Familiarity with numerous design principles (e.g. MDAs)

Benefits to you

• Strong social engagement program, including: monthly guest speakers, Trivia Tuesdays, monthly board game night, Digital Lode ‘Summer Games’ and ‘Winter Games’, regular Milestone and Staff Awards Parties to celebrate our team’s efforts.
• Quarterly informal ‘staff chats’ to better align business goals with your personal goals, and define and embrace development opportunities for you, in parallel with quarterly staff satisfaction surveys.
• Hybrid options available, up to 2 days per week WFH for the right candidate.
• Open plan office, enjoyable and creative workspace.
• Free office pantry – Fruit and snacks, cokes and other soft drinks, plus more.

If this sounds like you, please apply with your resume including a link to your portfolio. Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.