Lead Game Designer

Position Summary

As a Lead Game Designer at Riyo Games, you will lead a group of talented designers, guiding the team to create core systems and mechanics and fostering the team's growth.

About Us

Our mission at Riyo Games is to craft retro-infused JRPGs that awaken cherished childhood memories. We’re growing the studio by assembling a dream team of talent from across the globe. Join us on this epic quest to make fun, narrative-rich games in an inclusive, supportive, and fun studio environment!

You’ll be working on Threads of Time, a 2.5D JRPG inspired by Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy where you get to travel from the pre-historic era to the end of time!

• Become part of a veteran team that includes legendary developers who led iconic titles such as Xenoblade Chronicles, Legend of Mana, and more
• 4 weeks paid vacation (1 week of which is taken in late December)
• Collaborative environment with opportunities to contribute to the game’s creative design and take ownership of features
• Competitive salary and benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Opportunities to help you strengthen your skills or learn something new
• A workplace that appreciates and values diversity and inclusivity

Responsibilities

• Work with the Game Director to develop and refine core systems, like combat, and progression into exciting and fun game experiences
• Lead and mentor a team of 5 game designers, providing feedback, conducting reviews, and fostering their professional growth
• Shape gameplay systems in a way that delivers on the Threads of Time’s JRPG player fantasy
• Create, standardize, and maintain design documentation, including feature specification and implementation guidelines
• Collaborating with the engineering team to develop and enhance tools and processes used to build the game
• Collaborate closely with the narrative team to ensure gameplay mechanics support and enhance the time-manipulation storyline
• Partner with UI/UX designers to ensure game systems are intuitive and accessible to both JRPG veterans and newcomers
• Coordinate with producers to scope features, establish milestones, and ensure design deliverables meet deadlines
• Analyze player feedback and implement data-driven design improvements
• Willingness to be open and flexible when collaborating with others to achieve a design

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of game design experience in a professional studio setting
• Strong knowledge of different game design domains
• Understanding of JRPG gameplay mechanics
• High degree of self-motivation and resourcefulness in all areas of game design
• Excellent communication and listening skills, including demonstrated patience and compassion for teammates
• Shipped one or more video game titles

Salary: $90,000 - $120,000 CAD

Please note that although this is a full-time remote position, applicants must reside in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, or British Columbia, or be willing to relocate.

Maybe you think that your experience is not where it should be? Or you don’t meet every requirement listed in this job description? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t think they meet every qualification. But we feel that creating meaningful work means embracing different perspectives, which is why at Riyo Games we are focused on building an equitable, diverse, and inclusive studio. If your experience is not perfectly aligned with every requirement in this job description, but you’re interested in this position, we encourage you to apply anyway. We simply want to know what makes you special!

Riyo Games welcomes and encourages applications from candidates with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in the selection process. If you require disability-related accommodation during the recruitment process, please email contact@riyogames.com. We will consult with all applicants who request disability-related accommodation during the recruitment process to ensure that the accommodation provided takes into account the applicant's individual accessibility needs.

Thank you, we look forward to hearing from you!