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Gameplay Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

TW Group LLC

Slot Game Designer - Remote

Atlanta, GA · On-site +1

$152K/yr

Slot Game Designer Location: Las Vegas, NV, or Chicago, IL ( or fully-remote ) Your Mission in the Reel World: As a Slot Game Designer, you'll be the captain of your own gaming ship, navigating ...

Epic Games

Game Designer, Activities

Cary, NC · On-site

$143K/yr

From character and level design to competitive gameplay and system design, help shape the future of interactive entertainment at Epic. What You'll Do Epic Games is seeking a Senior Game Designer ...

Aperio Talent Solutions

Sr. Game Designer

Reno, NV · Remote

The Senior Game Designer leads the development of new slot game designs, themes, game flow, and overall vision, ensuring high-quality execution by artists, animators, and developers.

Playstudios US LLC

Game Designer

Las Vegas, NV · On-site

$148K/yr

As a Game Designer , you will lead the design process, collaborating with the rest of the team to make truly standout products that break the mold on what a slot game can be. Along the way, you'll ...

Progressive Gaming

Game Designer

Las Vegas, NV

$149K/yr

IGT is looking for a Game Designer who can inspire teams to create Class 3, land-based slot games across multiple product lines. Responsibilities * Develop the technical and creative design vision ...

Epic Games

Senior Game Designer

Cary, NC · On-site

From character and level design to competitive gameplay and system design, help shape the future of ... What You'll Do Epic Games is seeking an experienced Senior Game Designer to join our Music team ...

MobilityWare

Game Designer

Lehi, UT · On-site

$145K/yr

You'll also work directly in Unity to generate content and refine gameplay experiences, all while ... Be a generalist game designer, ready to work end-to-end, from core loop development to live service ...

ProbablyMonsters

Technical Designer

Dallas, TX · On-site

$77K - $108K/yr

You have experience shipping games as a tech, systems, or gameplay designer. You have opinions on what works and what does not based on your experiences and have drawn positive conclusions from ...

MobilityWare

Game Designer

Lehi, UT · On-site

$145K/yr

You'll also work directly in Unity to generate content and refine gameplay experiences, all while ... Be a generalist game designer, ready to work end-to-end, from core loop development to live service ...

Cat Daddy

Game Designer

Kirkland, WA · On-site

$78K - $116K/yr

Design new gameplay experiences including time-limited events, alternative game modes, and mini ... Experience designing card-collecting, card-battling, and/or deck-building games is a plus!

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Gameplay Designer information

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$81K

$145.4K

$205K

How much do gameplay designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for gameplay designer in the United States is $145,359.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,000.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do video game designers make?

Video game designers typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000, with entry-level positions starting lower and experienced designers earning over $100,000. Salaries vary based on experience, location, and the complexity of projects, and many designers also develop skills in programming, storytelling, or level design to increase earning potential.

How do I become a video game designer?

To become a video game designer, you typically need a bachelor's degree in game design, computer science, or a related field, along with strong skills in programming, storytelling, and visual design. Gaining experience through internships, creating a portfolio of game projects, and proficiency with design tools like Unity or Unreal Engine are also important steps.

What does a typical day look like for a Gameplay Designer?

A typical day for a Gameplay Designer often involves collaborating with programmers, artists, and other designers to brainstorm new features, refine mechanics, and address feedback from playtests. You can expect to design and document gameplay systems, tweak parameters for balance, and prototype new ideas to see how they work in practice. Communication with cross-functional teams is frequent to ensure all aspects of the gameplay are cohesive and fun for players. Additionally, regular participation in team meetings and reviews helps keep everyone aligned on project vision and priorities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Gameplay Designer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Gameplay Designer, you need strong game design fundamentals, creative problem-solving abilities, and a solid understanding of player experience and engagement. Experience with industry-standard tools such as Unity, Unreal Engine, scripting languages (like C# or Blueprint), and familiarity with version control systems is highly valued. Excellent teamwork, communication skills, and a collaborative mindset are essential for effectively working with development teams and stakeholders. These skills help ensure the creation of compelling and balanced gameplay experiences that resonate with players and meet project goals.

What is the 80 20 rule in game design?

In game design, the 80/20 rule suggests that roughly 80% of player engagement or feedback comes from 20% of the game features or content. Gameplay designers focus on identifying and optimizing these core elements to improve player experience and retention. Prioritizing key mechanics and balancing them effectively is essential in creating engaging games.

What jobs can you get as a Game Designer?

As a game designer, you can pursue roles such as level designer, systems designer, narrative designer, or gameplay programmer. These positions involve creating game mechanics, storylines, and user experiences, often requiring skills in design tools and understanding of game development processes.

What does a Gameplay Designer do?

A Gameplay Designer is responsible for creating and refining the interactive systems that define the player's experience in a game. They design mechanics, gameplay loops, and balance difficulty to ensure an engaging and fun experience. This role involves collaborating with programmers, artists, and other designers to implement and iterate on gameplay elements. Gameplay Designers also analyze player feedback and data to fine-tune mechanics and improve overall game feel.

More about Gameplay Designer jobs
What cities are hiring for Gameplay Designer jobs? Cities with the most Gameplay Designer job openings:
What states have the most Gameplay Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Gameplay Designer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Gameplay Designer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Gameplay Designer jobs are:
Gameplay Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Gameplay Designer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,359 per year, or $69.9 per hour.
Game Designer III (Card Rules) - Riftbound

Game Designer III (Card Rules) - Riftbound

Riot Games

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$167K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

As a Game Designer, you will design, tweak, and optimize the player experience. Your analytical skills, player insight, and creativity help craft in- and out-of-game experiences that engage and surprise players. You will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and work with every tool at hand to create and iterate player-focused designs that will delight millions around the world.
As a Senior Game Designer on Riftbound, you'll report to a Game Design Manager and work directly with other designers. You will design and improve the gameplay experience through the lens of game rules and their interactions with content: cards. Primary among your responsibilities will be working with set designers to build, improve, and execute on new mechanics, templates, and rules, and you will also be expected to contribute to card design across many products, and support other efforts related to the Riftbound game experience.
Responsibilities:
  • Understand the relevant audiences for the game, and from this, calibrate your design expertise to reflect appropriate taste for these audiences
  • Use data and sense-making to identify opportunities to improve the health of the game through cards
  • Articulate and consider a scope and depth of possible solutions, including possible effects, and collaboratively reach the best solution
  • Evaluate and improve rules across the game's design and execution, especially understanding the multiple ways the game will be played by players
  • Improve existing design frameworks, our approaches to design, and create new ones
  • Openly share work and seek feedback from other developers, while combine co-worker and player feedback to calibrate design direction
  • Provide mentorship to more junior members of the design team
Required Qualifications:
  • 4+ years experience as a game designer and/or tabletop game rules manager
  • Demonstrated experience working on rules for tabletop games
  • Broad mechanics and content design ability
Desired Qualifications:
  • Knowledge of CCGs and their features
  • Experience playing or judging in CCGs
  • Experience working with or playing PvP strategy games
  • Experience developing a competitive or multiplayer game

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise and a collaborative spirit that prioritizes the delight of players. We will look at your past studies and experience, but for this role, we also look for dedicated people with a personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about players' experiences, this is the role for you!
Our Perks:
Riot focuses on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy and other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.
At Riot Games, we put players first. That mission drives every decision in our quest to create games and experiences that make it better to be a player. Whether you're working directly on a new player-facing experience or you're supporting the company as a whole, everyone at Riot is part of our mission. And just like in our games, we're better when we work together. Our goal is to create collaborative teams where you are empowered to bring your unique perspective everyday. If that sounds like the kind of place you want to work, we're looking forward to your application.
It's our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.
Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:
  • Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
  • Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
  • Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
  • Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters

These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security.
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About Riot Games

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Riot Games was founded in 2006 by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill with the intent to change the way video games are made and supported for players. In 2009, Riot released its debut title League of Legends to worldwide acclaim. The game has since gone on to become the most played PC game in the world and a key driver of the explosive growth of esports. Players are the foundation of our community and it's for them we continue to evolve and improve the League of Legends experience.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2006

Social media

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