What Jobs are available for Game in the United Kingdom?

Game Designer – New Mobile Title – 4 day working week

A Manchester-based Games studio are currently looking for a Game Designer to work on a new title on mobile platforms. The studio founders have a long history in developing franchises which have been downloaded in the high millions and are working on something new and fresh, which brings together competitive gameplay in a fun strategic setting.

You will be tasked with designing the mechanics and systems to this title, as well as contributing to the in-game store, power-ups, micro-transaction positioning and balancing these against the player feedback and behaviour. The ideal candidate will understand the mobile games market and have good knowledge of metrics and analytical thinking; you will be in the front-seat of designing the core features, which the players will interact with

You will be analysing the purchasing behaviours and provide data driven recommendations to tune pricing/positioning and overall improve the performance of the games, you will also have a hand in developing special events/promotions for these items too.

In addition to a fantastic work environment the team can offer perks and benefits such as a generous holiday package, private medical insurance, pension, profit-based bonus schemes, an onsite gym, childcare schemes and retail discounts. The studio are based a short, convenient walk away from rail stations and have free parking for employees who prefer to drive.

The studio also offers a rare 4 day working week (Monday-Thursday), which is onsite in their Manchester offices. We cannot offer fully remote working options at present.

The studio can offer Visa Sponsorship and relocation assistance for exceptional candidates, with strong Mobile games experience.

Salary Range - £35,000 - £60,000

Requirements

• Held the title of Economy Designer/Monetisation Designer/Game Designer or similar
• Strong Mobile experience with at least one mobile title shipped
• Experience of designing in-game stores such as pricing and balancing
• Past experience of designing in-game events
• Reporting and live metrics experience
• A portfolio demonstrating your experience would be beneficial

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a studio who are working on a new game, which you will have a hand in from start to finish. To apply please send your CV to

Carry1st is Africa’s leading games publisher and monetization platform. Our Platform business unit helps top global companies grow their player base and revenues across Africa and the Middle East; while our Studio unit acquires, develops, and publishes first-party mobile games for global audiences. 

Our partners include Activision, EA, Riot Games, and NetEase and we’re backed by top investors like a16z, Bitkraft, Google, Konvoy, Sony, Riot Games, and Nas. We’re scaling awesome content by solving hard problems at the intersection of content, publishing, and digital commerce.

As Game Designer you'll drive the 0->1 development of new game experiences and meticulously design core features and systems. This role is for a player-centric designer obsessed with core mechanics and feel, who can passionately reinforce the overarching game vision to deeply resonate with players. You'll be instrumental in shaping foundational gameplay, driving innovation, and delivering engaging, polished features from concept to implementation.

You’ll collaborate closely with our Product, Creative, and Engineering teams, using your design skills, product mentality, and passion for mobile games to design new gameplay features at every stage, from documentation and implementation to content creation and data management, ensuring successful feature delivery.

You will… 

• Develop product vision through (player and competitor) research, brain-storming, and concepting
• Lead the design of the core mechanics, systems and progression, ensuring gameplay is both authentic and engaging for modern mobile audiences
• Document design specifications that effectively communicate multi-disciplinary design goals and meet the player’s needs 
• Build prototypes through various mediums including but not limited to  user flow diagrams and clickable wireframes,  
• Collaborate with engineering to support feature implementation, helping to identify and resolve design challenges and edge-case
• Engage with players before, during, and after feature implementations to understand / solve for their desires and challenges

Requirements

What makes you a great candidate? 

• 5+ years of Game Design experience in mobile and free-to-play games, with a focus on casual, puzzle or strategy genres
• A strong portfolio showcasing work on innovative mechanics and engaging features, particularly in the 0->1 phase of development
• Deep knowledge of Mancala or similar turn-based strategy games and an ability to identify how their mechanics can be modernized for digital play 
• Deep understanding of game design principles, player psychology, and UX best practices
• Exceptional ability to articulate and communicate complex design ideas clearly and concisely to cross-functional partners
• Proficiency with game design tools and software (e.g., Unity, Figma or other similar prototyping tools)
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and player feedback to inform decisions
• A relentless passion for games and a keen eye for detail, especially concerning gameplay mechanics and player feel

Benefits

What will it be like to work at Carry1st?

Carry1st is a fast-paced and dynamic place to work. Our team is diverse and global as we operate fully-remotely across 25+ countries. At Carry1st, you will have the opportunity to…

• Build awesome, industry-changing products, every day
• Grow with a VC-backed startup at the intersection of gaming and fintech
• Work from anywhere in the world with international teammates
• Own shares in the Company - enabling you to benefit from the value you create 

Some additional perks…

• Co-working excursions: Travel to meet your colleagues in cities around the world
• Awesome equipment: Get everything you need to work effectively 
• Remote working allowance: Put an additional $600 / year to optimise your WFH experience
• Learning and development: Attend courses, conferences and training events
• Social events: Participate in regular company events to relax and connect with teammates

We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it makes our company stronger. Join us!

Learn more about Carry1st…

• Andreessen Horowitz shared why they invested in Carry1st
• NYSE Trade Talks interviewed Cordel about Carry1st's success in the African gaming market
• Naavik hosted Cordel on a podcast to discuss Africa’s gaming landscape

• Lead and mentor a team of digital artists, providing artistic direction and technical guidance.
• Define and maintain the overall visual style and aesthetic for game projects.
• Oversee the creation of high-quality 2D and 3D game assets, including characters, environments, props, and UI elements.
• Collaborate closely with game designers, programmers, and producers to ensure artistic vision aligns with game mechanics and technical requirements.
• Establish and enforce art production pipelines, workflows, and best practices.
• Conduct regular art reviews, providing constructive feedback to the art team.
• Develop concept art, mood boards, and style guides to communicate artistic direction.
• Troubleshoot and resolve artistic and technical challenges during production.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends, tools, and technologies in game art.
• Contribute to the recruitment and onboarding of new art team members.

• Proven experience as a Lead Artist or Senior Artist in the video game industry, with at least one shipped title in a lead role.
• Exceptional portfolio showcasing a strong understanding of art fundamentals, composition, colour theory, and anatomy.
• Proficiency in industry-standard art software such as Maya, 3ds Max, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Photoshop, and relevant game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate artists.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with experience working in a remote team environment.
• Deep understanding of game art pipelines and optimization techniques.
• Ability to adapt to different art styles and project requirements.
• Passionate about video games and creating visually stunning experiences.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to challenges.

• Create high-quality 3D models, textures, and materials for characters, props, environments, and other game assets.
• Collaborate with art directors and lead artists to establish and maintain the visual style and quality bar for the game.
• Optimize 3D assets for real-time rendering in game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Implement PBR (Physically Based Rendering) workflows for realistic material creation.
• Sculpt high-poly models and bake them down to low-poly assets.
• Work with technical artists to ensure assets integrate seamlessly into the game engine.
• Participate in the entire asset creation pipeline, from concept to final implementation.
• Provide feedback and mentorship to junior artists.
• Stay current with industry trends, tools, and techniques in 3D art and game development.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to 3D assets.
• Contribute to a positive and collaborative team environment, sharing knowledge and best practices.
• Ensure all assets meet project deadlines and quality standards.

• Proven experience as a 3D Artist in the game development industry, with a strong portfolio showcasing exceptional work.
• Proficiency in 3D modeling software such as Maya, 3ds Max, ZBrush, or Blender.
• Expertise in texturing and material creation using software like Substance Painter, Substance Designer, or Photoshop.
• Solid understanding of PBR workflows and rendering techniques.
• Experience with game engines like Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Strong artistic fundamentals, including composition, color theory, and form.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Digital Art, Game Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience with character rigging and animation is a plus.

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of digital artists to achieve artistic excellence.
• Define and maintain the overall art style and visual direction for game projects.
• Oversee the creation of high-quality 2D and 3D game assets, including characters, environments, props, and UI elements.
• Collaborate closely with game designers, programmers, and producers to integrate art assets seamlessly.
• Establish and enforce art production pipelines, standards, and best practices.
• Review and provide constructive feedback on artwork from team members.
• Manage art team schedules and deliverables, ensuring timely completion of tasks.
• Problem-solve artistic and technical challenges that arise during development.
• Stay current with industry trends in game art, technology, and artistic techniques.
• Contribute to conceptualisation and visual development during pre-production.
• Ensure consistency and quality across all visual elements of the game.

• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Digital Art, Game Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in digital art creation for video games, with at least 2 years in a lead or supervisory role.
• Proficiency in industry-standard 3D modelling, texturing, and rendering software (e.g., Maya, Blender, 3ds Max, Substance Painter, ZBrush).
• Strong understanding of 2D art tools (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator) and game engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine).
• Exceptional artistic talent, with a strong portfolio showcasing diverse styles and high-quality game art.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, crucial for remote team collaboration.
• Proven ability to manage artistic teams and production pipelines effectively.
• A keen eye for detail, composition, colour theory, and lighting.
• Passion for video games and a deep understanding of game development processes.
• Ability to adapt to different artistic styles and project requirements.

• Developing original visual concepts for characters, environments, props, and UI elements.
• Collaborating closely with game designers, art directors, and other artists to iterate on ideas and refine artistic vision.
• Producing high-quality concept art suitable for internal review and final asset production.
• Maintaining consistency in style, mood, and quality across all visual assets.
• Researching and presenting visual trends and inspirational material to the team.
• Providing constructive feedback and guidance to junior concept artists.
• Contributing to the overall art direction and aesthetic development of game projects.
• Adhering to project timelines and delivering work to a high standard within deadlines.

• Define and maintain the overall visual style and art direction for game projects.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of concept artists, providing clear feedback and guidance.
• Create high-quality concept art for characters, environments, weapons, and props.
• Collaborate closely with game designers, 3D artists, and other stakeholders to translate ideas into visual assets.
• Develop detailed sketches, mood boards, and visual target documents.
• Ensure artistic consistency and quality across all visual elements.
• Research and gather references to inform artistic decisions.
• Contribute to the iterative design process, adapting concepts as needed.
• Present art concepts and justifications to the wider development team.
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging art techniques.

• Create high-quality 3D models, textures, and materials for game assets.
• Develop detailed and compelling game environments and characters.
• Collaborate with the art director and design team to establish and maintain the game's visual style.
• Optimize 3D assets for performance and memory usage within game engines.
• Implement and iterate on 3D art assets within the game engine.
• Provide artistic feedback and guidance to junior artists.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical art issues.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in 3D art and game development.

• Proven experience as a 3D Artist in the game industry, with at least 5 years in a senior role.
• Strong portfolio showcasing exceptional 3D modeling, texturing, and rendering skills.
• Proficiency in industry-standard 3D software (Maya, 3ds Max, ZBrush, etc.).
• Experience with game engines (Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Understanding of PBR texturing workflows and software (e.g., Substance Suite).
• Excellent artistic sense, including composition, color theory, and anatomy.
• Ability to work effectively in a remote team environment.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.