Filament Games seeks a talented and bright Game Designer to join our core development team. The Game Designer takes the helm on specific learning game projects, serving as both Lead Designer and Client Advocate.





A Game Designer must be able to:





Draft and present game design documentation

Write and edit narrative content

Work with developers on data integration

During game production, Game Designers test new features, provide feedback, and work with clients to clarify their goals and expectations.





Still not sure? Watch this pitch from your potential future boss!





Or check out the types of projects and the people you'd get to work with!





Responsibilities





Act as Lead Designer and Client Advocate on assigned projects

Test new features, provide feedback, and work with clients to clarify their goals and

expectations

Represent client goals and advocate for client perspective during internal meetings

Provide estimates to the production team

Create and build gameplay systems and scenarios for projects

Lead and participate in playtests and design reviews

Draft and present game design documentation, wireframes, storyboards and prototypes

Write and edit narrative content

Work with Developers on design problems, content creation, and data integration

Perform research and draft summary reports on research

Travel occasionally to observe in-classroom playtests

Respond to QA and design issues in development and real-time environments

Other design work as needed





Experience:





Bachelors or beyond in relevant field, or equivalent experience

A strong portfolio of design documentation that clearly explains mechanics for a game or games, ideally with a serious or educational purpose

A strong portfolio of game titles (not necessarily digital) with collaborative or sole responsibility for design and design documentation

Experience and passion for creating design-centric games, ideally serious or learning games

Knowledge of game balancing and pacing

Experience and skill in communication and collaborative problem solving





Required Skills:





Ability to effectively communicate design ideas through sketches

Effective written and verbal communication

Firm grasp of what makes games compelling, interesting and engaging

Ability to create detailed design documents and work closely with programmers and artists to implement game features

Ability to effectively analyze and give direction for improving submitted gameplay assets

Ability to diplomatically present client feedback to development team to ensure client satisfaction

Ability to work within a highly dynamic environment where team members often have multiple responsibilities

Ability to meet deadlines

Ability to revise design according to critique

Advanced design ideas and detailed understanding of game mechanics across a wide set of genres





Personal Characteristics:





Able to shift between detail-oriented and big picture thinking depending on the problem at

hand

Collaborative thinker, helping support team ideas rather than “win” with their own ideas

Self-motivated

Positive attitude

Innovative

Comfortable in a fast-paced, collaborative, entrepreneurial environment

Ability to meet strict deadlines

Ability to revise design according to critique





Cool Extra Skills





Indie and/or serious game design experience

Knowledge of and affection for strange or esoteric games

Passion for learning and for designing learning experiences

Scripting experience for simple digital prototypes

Illustration skills for enhanced storyboard development

Something you bring to the table that is unique that we haven't thought of!





About Filament Games





Watch our Who We Are video.





Filament Games is a game production studio that creates digital learning games and interactives. Our mission is to create playful experiences that improve people's lives. We believe that games are a powerful way to engage and inspire learners, and we approach game design by translating learning objectives directly into meaningful gameplay mechanics and playful curriculum materials.





Benefits: Filament Games is an awesome place to work. Why?





Our team is a creative, interdisciplinary group of people who are making a difference. Through innovative educational games we’re working to modernize education and revolutionize learning!





We believe that the best work – and the best life – comes from a healthy balance between work and play, discipline, and fun. Our office culture reflects this. For example, we have flexible work hours, causal dress everyday, grill outs, sketch comedy classes, Show-n-Tells, and the occasional paintball battle.





Our office is located in the heart of downtown Madison, a lively city with a world-class university, burgeoning tech industry and beautiful state capitol. Downtown Madison is a vibrant, active urban center with fun weekly events like Concert on the Square and the Farmer’s Market, and offers access to a variety of eclectic restaurants, music venues, and the best of Madison’s nightlife.





Filament offers a competitive benefits package, including health/dental/vision care, short & long term disability, a Flexible Spending Account, 401k retirement plan, subsidized bus fare, discounted gym membership, profit sharing, and unlimited paid time off.





Applicants will be considered for positions on the basis of qualifications and ability to perform the job for which they are applying without regard to race, religion, creed, sex, age, residency, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical appearance. Minorities are encouraged to apply.



