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Weekend Game Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

MrBeast

Game Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$182K/yr

Game Designer (Experience & Systems) About the Role We're looking for an exceptional Game Designer to help build the most fun and engaging consumer app in the world. This is not a traditional game ...

Exploding Kittens

Contract Game Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$30 - $38/hr

The Game Designer plays a key role in the game and product development process from start to finish. In this role you'll be responsible for pitching original concepts, developing pitches from team ...

Amazon

Game Designer, Amazon Game Studios

Culver City, CA · On-site

$169K/yr

Amazon Game Studios is looking for a Game Designer - we build exciting new casual and innovative games using Amazon's GameNight phone controller experience as well as traditional controllers. Working ...

TapBlaze

Game Designer, Casual F2P

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$167K/yr

We need a game designer who actually plays casual F2P mobile games, not someone who tolerates them, but someone who genuinely loves them. You'll design new mechanics and improve existing ones for ...

TapBlaze

Game Designer, Casual F2P

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$167K/yr

We need a game designer who actually plays casual F2P mobile games, not someone who tolerates them, but someone who genuinely loves them. You'll design new mechanics and improve existing ones for ...

Amazon

Game Designer, Amazon Game Studios

Culver City, CA

$169K/yr

Amazon Game Studios is looking for a Game Designer - we build exciting new casual and innovative games using Amazon's GameNight phone controller experience as well as traditional controllers. Working ...

Amazon

Game Designer, Amazon Game Studios

Culver City, CA

$169K/yr

Amazon Game Studios is looking for a Game Designer - we build exciting new casual and innovative games using Amazon's GameNight phone controller experience as well as traditional controllers. Working ...

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All JobsGame Designer JobsWeekend Game Designer JobsWeekend Game Designer Jobs in California

Weekend Game Designer information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Weekend Game Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Weekend Game Designer, you need a solid understanding of game design principles, creativity, and familiarity with platforms such as Unity or Unreal Engine, often backed by a relevant degree or portfolio. Proficiency in digital art tools, scripting languages, and version control systems like Git is typically required. Strong communication, time management, and problem-solving abilities help you collaborate efficiently and deliver engaging gameplay within tight timelines. These skills and qualities are essential for producing high-quality, innovative games while effectively balancing part-time work commitments.

How does working as a Weekend Game Designer typically differ from a full-time game design position in terms of responsibilities and collaboration?

Weekend Game Designers often focus on specific tasks or projects that can be completed within a shorter timeframe, such as level design, prototyping, or balancing gameplay elements. Collaboration usually happens through digital platforms, with regular updates and feedback sessions scheduled to maximize efficiency during limited weekend hours. While you may not be involved in every stage of development like a full-time designer, you'll still work closely with artists, programmers, and other designers to ensure your contributions fit seamlessly into the overall game. This role is ideal for those seeking industry experience or looking to supplement their skills while managing other commitments.

What are Weekend Game Designers?

Weekend Game Designers are professionals or hobbyists who primarily work on designing video games during the weekends, often as a side project or freelance role. They focus on creating game concepts, mechanics, levels, and storylines in their limited available time, collaborating remotely or independently. This role is ideal for individuals who have a passion for game design but hold other commitments during the week, such as full-time jobs or studies. Weekend Game Designers often contribute to indie projects, game jams, or personal portfolios.

What is the difference between Weekend Game Designer vs Part-Time Game Designer?

AspectWeekend Game DesignerPart-Time Game Designer
Work SchedulePrimarily works on weekends, limited hoursFlexible hours, may include weekdays or weekends
CredentialsTypically requires a portfolio, relevant game design experienceSimilar credentials, often with formal education or portfolio
Work EnvironmentOften freelance or contract, remote or studio-basedSimilar, varies by employer
Industry UsageCommon in indie or freelance projectsUsed across studios and freelance roles

Both roles involve game design skills and similar credentials, but Weekend Game Designers focus on weekend hours, often in freelance or indie settings, while Part-Time Game Designers have flexible schedules that may include weekdays. The choice depends on your availability and career goals.

What are the most commonly searched types of Game Designer jobs in California? The most popular types of Game Designer jobs in California are:
Weekend Game Designer jobs near you

Game Designer

MrBeast

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$182K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

About Us
Beast Industries is a multifaceted media and entertainment company founded by Jimmy Donaldson, popularly known as MrBeast, the most watched person in the world. Renowned for revolutionizing digital content creation, Beast Industries encompasses a diverse portfolio of ventures that extend far beyond its origins on YouTube. With a mission to entertain, inspire, and create significant social impact, Beast Industries operates across various domains including digital media, philanthropy, consumer products, and innovative business initiatives. At Beast Industries, we believe in the transformative power of digital media and its potential to entertain, educate, and effect positive change. Our commitment to innovation, creativity, and philanthropy drives us to explore new frontiers, create unforgettable experiences, and build a legacy that inspires future generations.
Game Designer (Experience & Systems)
About the Role
We're looking for an exceptional Game Designer to help build the most fun and engaging consumer app in the world.
This is not a traditional game design role. You'll design the mechanics, UI, UX, progression, and reward systems that power games and interactive experiences. You'll think deeply about how players discover, learn, play, compete, and come back.
You'll work across original games, tournaments, quests, and social experiences, partnering closely with Product, Design, Engineering, Data Science, and Creative.
We're looking for someone who has shipped games, has outstanding product instincts, and understands what makes games genuinely fun. Someone who loves elegant mechanics, intuitive UX, and memorable moments not manipulative monetization. And because a meaningful part of our audience is young, we design experiences that are safe, fair, and fun for everyone on purpose, from the start.
What You'll Do
  • Design game mechanics and the systems around them: progression, quests, achievements, tournaments, leaderboards, collectibles, and in-game economies that are simple to learn and rewarding to master.
  • Own the end-to-end player experience: onboarding, tutorials, HUDs, menus, rewards, and game flows, building the interaction patterns that keep every game feeling consistent.
  • Design the moments of delight, interaction, animation, feedback, and reward presentation that give our games their feel.
  • Communicate ideas through wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes, then playtest and iterate fast on player feedback and product metrics.
  • Partner daily with Product Designers, Motion Designers, Engineers, Artists, and Data Scientists to bring ideas to life.
  • Review and collaborate with external game studios to raise the quality of gameplay and player experience across the ecosystem.
We're Looking For
  • You've designed and shipped games players genuinely loved, 5+ years of experience, but we weigh what you've shipped over how long you've been shipping.
  • Experience designing both game mechanics and player UX/UI, with excellent visual and interaction design instincts.
  • Strong understanding of player psychology, engagement, progression, retention, and game feel.
  • Polished wireframes, mockups, and prototypes in Figma or similar tools.
  • Strong systems thinking and the ability to balance interconnected gameplay mechanics.
  • Comfortable using data to validate ideas while maintaining strong creative intuition.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration across design, engineering, product, and creative.
Bonus Points
  • Experience designing multiplayer, live-service, or social games.
  • Experience balancing virtual economies and progression systems.
  • Experience designing all-ages or age-appropriate experiences kids and families are part of our world, and we build for them deliberately.
  • Familiarity with Unity, Unreal, Godot, or similar game engines.
  • Experience designing for mobile-first experiences.
  • Passion for YouTube creators, MrBeast, and building products for millions of users.
What Success Looks Like
  • Players immediately understand how to play and want to keep coming back.
  • Every interaction feels intuitive, rewarding, and polished.
  • Game mechanics are engaging without relying on exploitative monetization.
  • You develop a recognizable gameplay style that is fun, social, accessible, and uniquely "Beast."
The Kind of Person Who Thrives Here
You have a deep obsession with the core of what makes games fun.
You analyze the world's best games to grasp their underlying principles rather than just copying them. You value mechanics, UX, motion, and game feel as a single, cohesive experience. You can whiteboard a concept by morning, build a Figma prototype by afternoon, and iterate based on real playtest feedback before the day is done.
You believe engagement should be earned through mastery, surprise, and elegant design never through dark patterns or exploitative monetization strategies.
If you have shipped experiences that players truly love and want to help redefine interactive entertainment alongside a massive global creator brand, we should talk.
Benefits
The Perks, Why Work On the MrBeast Team
We are redefining what entertainment and storytelling look like at global scale. Every piece of content we publish reaches millions and influences culture in real time. This is your opportunity to lead the team that decides how those moments come to life across every screen.
  • Competitive Salary
  • Generous Medical (Blue Cross Blue Shield), Dental, Vision and company-paid Life Insurance
  • Company contributions to employee Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
  • 401k Plan with Safe Harbor company-matching
  • Flexible vacation policy and paid company holidays
  • Company-provided technology package
  • Relocation assistance where applicable, including travel and company-provided housing for the first 90 days

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