Game Designer

We are Fatshark

We are a critically acclaimed Swedish game development studio with about 180 experienced and skilled employees. We are most well-known for developing the Warhammer: Vermintide franchise, but have also helped develop a number of AAA titles and we launched the highly anticipated game Warhammer 40,000: Darktide.

We have grown quite a bit over the last few years and are almost two-hundred “Sharks” now, but we still embrace the same values that we started with. Come into our world, a world known for our crazy internally designed socks, hackweeks, and Friday afternoons for studio-wide “social play” time. It all adds up to an approachable, fun, passion-driven yet communal environment for us to work in.

The role

As a Game Designer at Fatshark, you will be an integral part of our Design team, collaborating closely with the Design Director and fellow Game Designers to craft and refine gameplay systems for Warhammer 40,000: Darktide. Your role extends beyond design, as you will work in tandem with Artists, Programmers, and Team Leads to seamlessly integrate these systems into the game.

Joining one of our feature teams, you will embark on the exciting journey of creating novel experiences for our players. Your responsibilities will encompass the enhancement of existing systems and the development of new ones, ensuring the game remains dynamic and captivating as a live service. We aspire to captivate players over extended periods, providing both ongoing rewards and fresh objectives for their pursuit.

As a feature team designer, you will take charge of elevating the game across all fronts. From conceiving thrilling new features to refining underperforming aspects, your leadership will guide a diverse team of developers. Your scope will span from introducing new adversaries and game modes to enhancing existing content, fostering a comprehensive evolution of the gameplay experience.

At Fatshark, we foster a culture of collaboration and inclusivity, where every team member's input is valued. As a member of the Game Design team, you'll not only contribute to our game development endeavors but also have the opportunity to cultivate your skills alongside a talented cohort of developers.

What we offer

Here at Fatshark, we do what we love most: design high-profile games for PCs and consoles. We offer you:

• A playful, friendly and inclusive work place
• Hands-on production environment with an emphasis on cooperative/multiplayer games
• Opportunities for personal growth with varied projects, experienced co-workers and recurring hack weeks
• Developing games with our own engine - Stingray
• Regulated flex time and paid overtime
• Occupational pension
• Health benefits and health check ups
• Bonus program
• Dog friendly office located in central Stockholm

What you'll do

• Lead feature teams: take charge of feature teams, guiding developers in elevating the game across all fronts by introducing new features, refining existing ones, and addressing under-performing aspects
• Enhance existing content: continuously enhance existing gameplay systems and content to keep the game dynamic and captivating as a live service, providing ongoing rewards and fresh objectives for player pursuit. Create GDD and feature mock-ups for implementation. Be responsible for balancing from soft economy, and experience curve to engagement metrics
• Foster collaboration and inclusivity: foster a culture of collaboration and inclusivity within the Game Design team, valuing every team member's input and contributing to the collective development endeavors of Fatshark
• Provide feedback and guidance: offer constructive feedback and guidance to team members, helping them refine their work and contribute effectively to the overall improvement of the gameplay experience
• Stay updated on industry trends: stay on top of industry trends, tools, and technologies relevant to game design, continuously learning and adapting to new developments to enhance your contributions to Fatshark's projects

Required qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in developing gameplay systems for released projects (preferably AAA)
• Game design experience: proven experience in game design, especially in crafting gameplay systems for similar genres or titles
• Collaborative team player: ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams, including Design Director, fellow Game Designers, Artists, Programmers, and Team Leads
• Innovative thinking : demonstrated creativity and innovation in conceiving and implementing gameplay features to enhance player engagement
• Leadership skills: experience leading development teams, guiding them to elevate the game through new features and refinements
• Communication skills: both verbal and written; being at ease to present features to the team
• Adaptability to live service: understanding of live service game development principles, with the ability to continuously enhance existing systems while developing new ones

Bonus qualifications

• Shipped at least 1 AAA or equivalent game
• Understanding of Excel and some basic/intermediate mathematical skills
• Strong knowledge of cooperative and/or multiplayer games
• Interest in player behavior & analytics
• Background or education in game design theory/ludology
• Programming and/or visual scripting experience
• LUA knowledge
• Knowledge of Darktide and/or Vermintide 2
• Strong Warhammer interest

Application details

We are following the policy of working 4 days in the office per week, with 1 day option to work from home. The onboarding is being done fully in the office.

We look forward to review applications and will be interviewing candidates continuously until the position has been filled.

Location: Stockholm (on-site)
Start: ASAP 2024
Form of Employment: permanent, full-time