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Game Design Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

DigiPen

Adjunct Faculty - Music (Evergreen)

Redmond, WA · On-site

$1.0K - $9.0K/mo

DigiPen Institute of Technology has been ranked one of the top 5 game design schools in the country by the Princeton Review for more than a decade. To learn more, visit: . Position: Adjunct Faculty ...

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All JobsGame Design JobsGame Design Jobs in Seattle, WA

Game Design information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$53.5K

$177.5K

How much do game design jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for game design in Seattle, WA is $169,700.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $176,400.00 and $176,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is game design?

Game design is the process of creating the content and rules of a game, including its mechanics, story, characters, and overall player experience. Game designers develop the structure and features of a game, decide how it will be played, and work closely with artists, programmers, and other team members to bring the game to life. Their goal is to make engaging, balanced, and enjoyable experiences for players. Game design can apply to video games, board games, and other interactive entertainment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a game designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Game Designer, you need a strong grasp of game mechanics, storytelling, user experience, and typically a degree in game design or a related field. Familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, scripting languages, and prototyping tools is crucial. Creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving are standout soft skills for this role. These abilities are essential for developing engaging, innovative games that resonate with players and meet project goals.

How do game designers typically collaborate with other departments during the development process?

Game designers work closely with artists, programmers, writers, and audio engineers to ensure that the gameplay experience aligns with the creative vision and technical constraints of the project. Regular meetings, feedback sessions, and iterative prototyping are common, allowing designers to communicate their ideas and adjust designs based on input from other team members. This collaborative environment helps address challenges such as balancing gameplay mechanics and ensuring that all elements integrate smoothly. Strong communication and flexibility are essential for success in this role.

What is the difference between Game Design vs Game Development?

AspectGame DesignGame Development
Primary FocusCreating game concepts, mechanics, and user experienceImplementing, coding, and building the game based on design
Skills RequiredCreativity, storytelling, understanding of gameplay mechanicsProgramming, software engineering, technical problem-solving
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, creative teams, collaborative settingsDevelopment teams, technical environments, coding labs
Common CertificationsGame design degrees, UX/UI certificationsComputer science, software engineering degrees

Game Design focuses on conceptualizing and designing gameplay experiences, while Game Development involves the technical implementation and coding of those designs. Both roles are essential in the game creation process and often collaborate closely to produce engaging games.

How do I get a job as a game designer?

To become a game designer, develop a strong portfolio showcasing your design skills, gain experience through internships or entry-level positions, and learn industry-standard tools like Unity or Unreal Engine. A background in computer science, art, or creative writing can also be beneficial, along with understanding game mechanics and user experience principles.

Is game designing a good career?

Game designing is a viable career for those with creativity, strong problem-solving skills, and proficiency in tools like Unity or Unreal Engine. It often requires collaboration, a portfolio of work, and knowledge of industry trends; job stability can vary based on the industry’s demand and individual skill level.

Is there a high demand for game design?

The demand for game designers is strong due to the growth of the gaming industry, with opportunities increasing in mobile, console, and PC game development. Skills in programming, storytelling, and familiarity with design tools like Unity or Unreal Engine are highly valued, and employment prospects are expected to grow steadily over the next several years.

What careers are in game design?

Careers in game design include roles such as game designer, level designer, character designer, and narrative designer. These positions involve creating game concepts, mechanics, storylines, and visual elements, often requiring skills in programming, art, or storytelling, and proficiency with design tools like Unity or Unreal Engine.

What are the most commonly searched types of Game Design jobs in Seattle, WA?

The most popular types of Game Design jobs in Seattle, WA are:

What are popular job titles related to Game Design jobs in Seattle, WA?

For Game Design jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Game Design jobs in Seattle, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Game Design jobs in Seattle, WA are:

What cities near Seattle, WA are hiring for Game Design jobs?

Cities near Seattle, WA with the most Game Design job openings:

Game Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Design job openings in Seattle, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 43% Full Time, 38% Part Time, and 19% Contract. Highlights an 77% In-person, and 23% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $169,700 per year, or $81.6 per hour.

Narrative Designer - Trading Card Game

Fanatics Collectibles

Seattle, WA • On-site

$35.50 - $43.75/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

About Us
Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally.
About the Company
Fanatics Collectibles is a new company operating at the intersection of collectibles, culture, and technology. Backed by world-class investors, operators, and sports & entertainment partners, we are building the global leader in next-generation collectibles. As part of the broader Fanatics ecosystem, we leverage a digital sports platform that spans over 900 sports properties and engages more than 81 million fans. Together, we are reimagining every part of the collectibles experience for fans, partners, and creators.
Role Overview
Fanatics Collectibles is building the future of trading card games.
The Fanatics TCG studio is focused on creating original worlds that are designed to live for decades - expressed through gameplay, art, story, and collectible objects. Our ambition is to build franchises that are not only widely played, but deeply felt.
We are seeking a Narrative Designer to help shape the worlds, characters, and stories that define our games.
This is not a role focused solely on writing text. It is a role about building worlds - establishing the underlying logic, tone, and emotional core of new universes, and ensuring that every part of the player experience reflects that foundation.
You will work closely with Creative, Game Design, and Art to develop narrative systems that live inside the cards themselves - where mechanics, visuals, and story reinforce one another.
The ideal candidate brings strong storytelling instincts, a systems mindset, and a passion for creating worlds that players want to return to again and again.
What You'll Do
Build Worlds That Can Sustain a Franchise
  • Develop the foundational lore, cosmology, and narrative structure of new TCG worlds.
  • Define factions, cultures, characters, and conflicts that can evolve over many sets and years.
  • Help establish the tone, themes, and emotional identity of each franchise.

Integrate Story with Game and Product
  • Partner with Game Design to ensure that mechanics and narrative reinforce each other.
  • Collaborate with Art and Creative teams to align on visual storytelling and world cohesion.
  • Contribute to the development of set themes, narrative arcs, and character moments.

Design Narrative Systems for Cards
  • Develop approaches for how story is expressed through card names, flavor text, mechanics, and set structure.
  • Ensure that narrative is discoverable through play and collection, not just external content.
  • Help define how narrative evolves across releases and expansions.

Create and Support Narrative Content
  • Write flavor text, card names, and supporting narrative content.
  • Contribute to world guides, story bibles, and internal documentation.
  • Support external storytelling efforts (e.g., web content, marketing beats, potential media extensions).

Collaborate Across the Studio
  • Work closely with Creative, Design, Product, and Marketing teams to ensure narrative consistency.
  • Participate in early ideation, helping shape concepts before they become fully defined.
  • Provide feedback that elevates the coherence and emotional impact of the world.

What You Bring
  • 3+ years of experience in narrative design, writing, or worldbuilding for games, publishing, or related media.
  • Strong ability to develop original worlds, characters, and narrative frameworks.
  • Experience working in collaborative, cross-functional environments.
  • Ability to balance creative vision with system constraints.
  • Excellent writing skills across both short-form (e.g., flavor text) and long-form (e.g., lore, story guides).
  • Passion for fantasy, sci-fi, and worldbuilding-driven storytelling.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience working on trading card games, tabletop games, or live service games.
  • Background in fantasy or sci-fi writing.
  • Familiarity with how narrative can be expressed through game systems and mechanics.
  • Experience contributing to original IP or franchise development.

Why Join Fanatics TCG
Fanatics Collectibles is building the future of fandom.
The Fanatics TCG studio is a rare opportunity to create entirely new worlds - worlds that will be expressed through millions of cards, shared across global communities, and evolved over many years.
As a Narrative Designer, you will help define the stories that live inside those worlds - shaping the characters, conflicts, and moments that players and collectors connect with.
If you're excited about building worlds and telling stories that unfold one card at a time, we'd love to hear from you.
Ensure your Fanatics job offer is legitimate and don't fall victim to fraud. Fanatics never seeks payment from job applicants. Feel free to ask your recruiter for a phone call or other type of communication for interview, and ensure your communication is coming from a Fanatics email address (including @collectfanatics.com). For added security, where possible, apply through our company website at www.fanaticsinc.com/careers
The salary range represents base pay only and does not include short-term or long-term incentive compensation. This salary range is specific to Seattle and may not be applicable to other locations. When determining base pay, as part of a final compensation package, we consider several factors such as location, experience, qualifications, and training. For information about our benefits, please visit https://benefitsatfanatics.com/
Seattle Salary Range
$123,050-$154,100 USD
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