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Weekend Indie Game Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Community Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

You've worked at an indie game studio, animation collective, or startup where creators, fans, and ... Manage relationships with our alliance network of creators - from indie animators to UGC developers

Community Manager

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$50 - $70/hr

You've worked at an indie game studio, animation collective, or startup where creators, fans, and ... UGC developers * Collaborate with the marketing and content teams on YouTube rollouts and go-to ...

Community Manager

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

You've worked at an indie game studio, animation collective, or startup where creators, fans, and ... UGC developers * Collaborate with the marketing and content teams on YouTube rollouts and go-to ...

Senior iOS Engineer, Apple Games

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$172K/yr

Join the Game Services UI team to help build the Apple Games app and the user-facing gaming ... We have an exciting roadmap supporting games ranging from mobile to indie to AAA, reaching deep ...

Join the Game Services UI team to help build the Apple Games app and the user-facing gaming ... We have an exciting roadmap supporting games ranging from mobile to indie to AAA, reaching deep ...

Lead Game UI/UX Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$150K - $190K/yr

Collaborate with game designers, artists, and engineers to ensure UI/UX meets project requirements ... Previous work on AAA titles or high-profile indie games. Description * Full-time job with benefits.

$105 - $115/hr

Identify, prospect, and establish new business relationships with top publishers, indie creators ... You can speak fluently about key publishers, creators, diverse game systems, and the modern digital ...

... Indie studios, game genres (Action, RPG, Shooter, Mobile, Live Service), and common game development terminology such as Gameplay Programming, Game Design, Unreal Engine, Unity, Production, QA, and ...

Showing results 21-40

Weekend Indie Game Developer information

See salary details

$32.5K

$108.5K

$180K

How much do weekend indie game developer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for weekend indie game developer in the United States is $108,471.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,500.00 and $124,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a weekend indie game developer?

Weekend indie game developers are individuals who create video games independently, typically working on their projects during weekends or in their free time outside of regular employment. They often handle multiple aspects of game development, including programming, design, art, and marketing, due to limited resources. These developers are usually motivated by passion and creativity rather than commercial gain, and they may release their games on platforms like itch.io or Steam. Weekend indie developers form a vibrant part of the indie game community, contributing unique and experimental games.

What are some common challenges weekend indie game developers face when balancing development with other commitments?

Weekend Indie Game Developers often juggle game creation alongside full-time jobs or studies, making time management a significant challenge. Setting realistic goals, prioritizing tasks, and maintaining motivation during limited hours are essential for steady progress. Collaboration can also be tricky, as team members may have differing availability, so clear communication and the use of project management tools become vital. Despite these hurdles, the flexibility of indie development allows for creative freedom and skill growth at one's own pace.

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

To thrive as a Weekend Indie Game Developer, you need proficiency in game design, programming (commonly with engines like Unity or Unreal), and a solid understanding of gameplay mechanics, often self-taught or supported by online courses. Familiarity with development tools such as Git for version control, graphic/audio editing software, and asset marketplaces is typical. Creativity, self-motivation, and strong problem-solving skills set standout developers apart in this role. These skills and qualities are vital for efficiently creating engaging games within limited timeframes and resources, enabling continual progress despite part-time constraints.

What cities are hiring for Weekend Indie Game Developer jobs?

Cities with the most Weekend Indie Game Developer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Indie Game Developer jobs?

The most popular types of Indie Game Developer jobs are:

What states have the most Weekend Indie Game Developer jobs?

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

Senior Gameplay Programmer - Remote or On Site

Studio Wildcard

Redmond, WA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

Studio Wildcard - Redmond, WA or Remote

Open role:

Senior Gameplay Programmer


We're Studio Wildcard, developers of the smash indie hit ARK: Survival Evolved -- one of the most popular and original video games in recent years. Despite our massive success, we've been able to stay independent, so that we can steer our own future in games and beyond. There's never been a better time for you to join this adventure and help us with ARK Survival Ascended, the next chapter of our original hit franchise! We're expanding and updating many of the ARK community's most beloved features while taking full advantage of the latest tools and technologies.

And now we're searching for an exceptionally talented and passionate Senior Gameplay Programmer who can create high-impact work for the expanding ARK franchise.


Responsibilities:

  • Design, write, and implement gameplay systems and development tools for artists and designers
  • Work with cross-discipline team members to improve existing tools and determine new solutions


Requirements:

  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in game development as a gameplay programmer with at least 1 shipped title.
  • Advanced understanding of gameplay systems, pipelines, and tools.
  • Strong self-motivation and willingness to participate in many areas of game development
  • Experience using the Unreal 5 Engine


Pluses:

  • Degree in computer science or a related field
  • Experience with implementing UI features from concept to finish
  • Shipped title using the Unreal 4 Engine


Required Application Materials:

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter which should include
    • Why you are interested in working for Studio Wildcard
    • What games you are currently playing


About Studio Wildcard

Studio Wildcard was founded in 2014 by industry veterans Jeremy Stieglitz and Jesse Rapczak, with the mission of bringing AAA quality to ambitious indie productions designed for core gamers. With countless years of combined industry experience across multiple independent and studio-backed titles, Wildcard's core team continues to grow, with offices in Redmond, WA, and Gainesville, FL including distributed team members across multiple continents.


Equal Opportunity Employer
Wildcard is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws, regulations or ordinances. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to disability during the application or the recruiting process, please let us know.


Pay Transparency Information
The expected annual base pay range(s) for this position vary based on a variety of factors, which include: (but aren't limited to) skills, competencies, qualifications, knowledge, and experience. Each pay range is only relevant to those residing in WA state and can vary based on geographical location.


Wildcard Benefits
We pay 100% of all premiums for the employee and discounted rates for dependent premiums. Our coverage includes Medical (5 different plans to choose from), Dental, Vision, Short Term and Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, 401(k) option, 100% covered Parental Leave, PTO, Paid Holidays, Unlimited Sick Time, and FSA/ HSA options