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Weekend Game Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Part Time Unity Game Designer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$152K/yr

  • Retirement

Pinnacle Solutions is looking for a passionate and motivated Game Designer to join our virtual development team on a part-time basis. The ideal candidate has a foundational understanding of game ...

Principal Game Designer

Austin, TX · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Zynga is looking for an experienced Principal Systems Designer to work on one of our new mobile games. This role leads and participates in direct design and creative input on content and system ...

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 ...

Senior Game Designer

Chicago, IL

$90 - $150K/hr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Position Summary We are looking for an enthusiastic Game Designer based at our Chicago studio. You will create compelling prize-first 'slot-like' concepts working with all game-design disciplines to ...

Senior Game Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$90 - $150K/hr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Position Summary We are looking for an enthusiastic Game Designer based at our Chicago studio. You will create compelling prize-first 'slot-like' concepts working with all game-design disciplines to ...

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 ...

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 ...

Senior Game Designer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$90 - $150K/hr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Position Summary We are looking for an enthusiastic Game Designer based at our Chicago studio. You will create compelling prize-first 'slot-like' concepts working with all game-design disciplines to ...

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 ...

Game Designer, Level (Contingent)

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$58.03 - $65/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

Experience using a game editor such as Unreal Editor and scripting/programming using a language such as C#, Lua, Python, Visual Scripting * Excitement for learning and growing as a designer. Keen to ...

Showing results 41-60

Weekend Game Designer information

See salary details

$47K

$156K

How much do weekend game designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for weekend game designer in the United States is $149,118.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $155,000.00 and $155,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a weekend game designer?

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 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 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 cities are hiring for Weekend Game Designer jobs?

Cities with the most Weekend Game Designer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Game Designer jobs?

The most popular types of Game Designer jobs are:

What states have the most Weekend Game Designer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Weekend Game Designer jobs include:

Infographic showing various Weekend Game Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $149,118 per year, or $71.7 per hour.

Game Designer III (Card Rules) - Riftbound

Riot Games

Los Angeles, CA

$167K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 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. 

(Los Angeles Only) Base salary range between $150,000.00 - $209,600.00 USD + incentive compensation + equity + 401K with company match + medical, dental, vision, and life insurance + short and long-term disability + open PTO.


Riot Games logo

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

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