ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

World Building Game Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cat Daddy

Game Designer

Kirkland, WA · On-site

$78K - $116K/yr

Experience designing card-collecting, card-battling, and/or deck-building games is a plus ... World-class communication skills, with proven ability to produce effective design documentation * A ...

2K

Game Designer

Kirkland, WA · On-site

$78K - $116K/yr

Experience designing card-collecting, card-battling, and/or deck-building games is a plus ... World-class communication skills, with proven ability to produce effective design documentation * A ...

2K

Game Designer

Kirkland, WA

$78K - $116K/yr

Experience designing card-collecting, card-battling, and/or deck-building games is a plus ... World-class communication skills, with proven ability to produce effective design documentation * A ...

CD PROJEKT RED

Senior Environment Artist

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$99K - $163K/yr

World building locations with these kits and set-dressing the environment with props authored by ... Passion for games. Nice to have's: (Please note that these skills are not required to apply for the ...

CD PROJEKT RED

Senior Environment Artist

Boston, MA · On-site

$99K - $163K/yr

World building locations with these kits and set-dressing the environment with props authored by ... Passion for games. Nice to have's: (Please note that these skills are not required to apply for the ...

CD PROJEKT RED

Senior Environment Artist

Boston, MA · On-site +1

World building locations with these kits and set-dressing the environment with props authored by ... Passion for games. Nice to have's: (Please note that these skills are not required to apply for the ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsWorld Building Game Jobs

World Building Game information

See salary details

$28K

$98.1K

$148K

How much do world building game jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for world building game in the United States is $98,146.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,000.00 and $120,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a world building game?

A world building game is a type of video game where players create, design, and manage virtual worlds or environments. These games often allow players to shape landscapes, build structures, and establish societies or civilizations according to their imagination and strategic choices. They emphasize creativity, resource management, and long-term planning, providing a sandbox-like experience. Popular examples include 'Minecraft', 'SimCity', and 'Cities: Skylines'. Players are often given a high degree of freedom to experiment and develop unique worlds.

What are some common challenges faced by game designers working on world building games, and how can they overcome them?

Game designers working on world-building games often encounter challenges such as balancing creative freedom for players with clear gameplay objectives, maintaining performance as the world expands, and ensuring consistency in the game's lore and mechanics. Overcoming these challenges involves close collaboration with narrative writers, artists, and developers to create comprehensive design documents and implement scalable systems. Regular playtesting and feedback from both internal teams and early users can also help identify potential issues and guide iterative improvements.

What is the difference between World Building Game vs Level Designer?

AspectWorld Building GameLevel Designer
Required SkillsCreativity, storytelling, game mechanics understandingLevel layout, scripting, environment design
Work EnvironmentGame development studios, independent projectsGame studios, software companies
Industry UsageGame development, entertainmentGame development, interactive media

While both roles involve game design, a World Building Game focuses on creating entire worlds and narratives, whereas a Level Designer specializes in designing specific game levels and environments. Both roles require creativity and technical skills but differ in scope and focus within the game development process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a game designer specializing in world building?

To thrive as a Game Designer focused on world building, you need a strong background in game design principles, storytelling, and often a degree in game design or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as Unity, Unreal Engine, and 3D modeling software, as well as proficiency in scripting languages, is typically required. Creativity, collaboration, and attention to detail are standout soft skills for conceptualizing immersive environments and working effectively with multidisciplinary teams. These skills are crucial for creating engaging, believable game worlds that captivate players and support overall gameplay experience.
More about World Building Game jobs
What job categories do people searching World Building Game jobs look for? The top searched job categories for World Building Game jobs are:
World Building Game jobs near you
Infographic showing various World Building Game job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,146 per year, or $47.2 per hour.

Environment Artist (Senior/Principal)

Bonfire Studios

Irvine, CA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

What's the one game you couldn't put down? The game that connected you with friends, and made you feel like you belonged? If a game has ever defined a chapter of your life, then you already know the spark we're chasing. Our mission is to ignite that same feeling for players; the thrill of competition, the joy of community, and the belonging of finding your own corner of a larger world.
Great games begin with people who dare to dream big. If that sounds exciting, you might be exactly who we're looking for.
Bonfire is a group of experienced and ambitious developers, proud to be creating our first original IP: Arkheron. It is a fast-paced, competitive PVP game set in a surreal dark fantasy world where 15 teams of three battle their way up the Tower. In a world built from memories, you will loot powerful items to create and adapt a unique build-out that will change your strategy and combat experience with every Ascension.
The best way to understand our Art team is in their own words - here's how they describe their work.
Our goal is to immerse players in an extraordinary and haunting realm. From initial concept art to final in-game elements, we are crafting a compelling aesthetic experience that seamlessly blends with and brings to life the game's narrative, level design, combat and audio. We play the game daily and our deep understanding of it allows us to deliver visuals that put the player experience first, while still pushing artistic boundaries to fully capture the unique tone and unforgettable atmosphere of the Arkheron's world.
We are looking for a Senior/Principal Environment Artist with the technical grit to turn surreal concepts into high-fidelity, AAA landscapes. You aren't just an asset creator here - you are a primary architect. You will elevate the visual language of our first IP, translating our established world into immersive environments where every vista serves the story and every layout is purpose-built for competitive gameplay.
YOU'LL CONTRIBUTE BY:
  • Building high-quality, in-game environment art that brings the world of Arkheron to life-architecture, materials, props, vistas, and set dressing.
  • Owning environment assets end-to-end, from concept or blockout through final in-engine implementation.
  • Creating fully realized architectural kits, ensuring they are visually cohesive, performant, and flexible for level design.
  • Partnering closely with design, lighting, engineering, and other art disciplines to ensure environments support gameplay, readability, and visual storytelling.
  • Balancing artistic fidelity with gameplay and technical needs, making smart tradeoffs that serve player experience.
  • Conducting research and gathering reference to push quality, authenticity, and cohesion across the world.
  • Contributing ideas early and often, helping shape the visual language and identity of a new IP.
  • Operating with a high degree of autonomy, pushing work forward in a small, evolving team without needing rigid structure.
  • Wearing multiple hats, using your experience to contribute beyond pure asset creation when it benefits the game.
  • Collaborate with downstream departments to proactively follow your environmental work through production and into final implementation.
  • Helping shape the game and studio culture, bringing thoughtfulness, curiosity, and craftsmanship to how we build together.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT YOU BECAUSE YOU:
  • Are a strong, self-directed world builder who can take an idea from a rough sketch to a polished, in-game environment.
  • Have deep experience creating AAA-quality environment art, ideally with at least one shipped AAA title.
  • Bring a sharp eye for organic forms, architecture, materials, color, composition, and spatial storytelling.
  • Are proficient with industry-standard tools (Maya or equivalent, ZBrush, Photoshop, Substance, and real-time engines).
  • Understand the realities of game development pipelines, including optimization, lighting, PBR materials, UVs, and engine constraints.
  • Think developer- and product-first, caring about how environments affect gameplay, flow, and player experience.
  • Thrive in highly collaborative, cross-disciplinary teams, and communicate clearly with partners across the studio.
  • Are comfortable working through ambiguity and taking initiative without waiting for perfect direction.
  • Value trust, openness, and diverse perspectives.
  • Have a growth mindset and enjoy learning, experimenting, and refining your craft.
  • Want to make a meaningful impact in a tight-knit studio where your work visibly shapes the game.

THIS MIGHT NOT BE THE ROLE FOR YOU IF:
  • You prefer working in large, highly specialized teams with narrow ownership and rigid pipelines.
  • You need extremely detailed direction for every task and are uncomfortable navigating ambiguity.
  • You're most excited by standalone asset creation rather than holistic world building.
  • You're not interested in collaborating closely with design, lighting, and engineering.
  • You're looking for a role where responsibilities are strictly defined and don't evolve over time.
  • You're uninterested in contributing beyond your immediate discipline or shaping a new IP.

YOU'LL LOVE WORKING AT BONFIRE BECAUSE WE:
  • Embrace bold challenges with creativity and courage, making the tough calls to build a game we're proud to play every day.
  • Keep fun at the core: we play Arkheron daily, staying grounded as players. If it's not more fun than yesterday, we fix it. We don't chase trends; we listen by playing.
  • Stay truly independent, with decisions driven by the team - not by investors or a board.
  • Thrive in a culture of passion, trust, and shared ownership; where transparency matters and egos don't.

The base salary range for this role is $174,800 - $221,817. Depending on your experience and level (whether you're closer to mid-level or principal), your offer may land above or below that range. We don't just look at years on a résumé - we think about the impact you can have on the team and the game. Of course, compensation at Bonfire goes beyond salary. Every new teammate receives equity, plus a full benefits package and some extra perks to make work (and life) better. When we connect, we'll happily walk you through the full details.
Want to get a feel for what it's like to work here? You can check out more about our culture, team, benefits, and perks at www.bonfirestudios.com. And don't worry - anything you share with us in the application process is just for recruiting and won't be shared. You can read more in our privacy policy.

Apply