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- Tasks: Design engaging mobile game experiences and collaborate with a creative team.
- Company: ForthStar is a dynamic games company in Manchester, focused on creating popular free-to-play games.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 4-day work week, creative workspace, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team dedicated to innovation and making games that players love.
- Qualifications: Experience in mobile game design, strong communication skills, and a creative portfolio are essential.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are core values; we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About us
ForthStar is a unique games company based in Manchester, UK, on a mission to make big free-to-play hits. Established in 2023 by Playdemic Founders, Paul Gouge and Alex Rigby, and a team of exceptionally talented industry veterans, ForthStar\’s core belief is that the best games are made by highly accomplished teams with freedom for creative innovation.
Our mission is clear: to make great games that millions of people love to play every day for years. We take pride in our commitment to building exceptional, mass-appeal games with highly engaging core mechanics that captivate our players and become essential daily entertainment.
We believe in excellence andcreative thinking and have a culture that promotes collaboration, innovation, and the continuous pursuit of better. We support each other to make ForthStar not just a workplace, but an inspirational spacefor creativity and professional growth. We are driven by our commitment to the service of our players and to each other.
About the role
We are seeking an experienced and passionate free-to-play mobilegameDesigner to join our talented team. You will bean essential contributor in crafting highly engaging gaming experiences.
In this role, you will play a crucial part in shaping the player experience, influencing the game from the prototyping phase through to launch and beyond. You will collaborate closely with the Creative Director and the wider team to ensure a shared understanding of the game vision and design intent.
Through your design work and discipline, you will strive for excellence, identifying issues and opportunities to create compelling mass-market game experiences.
This role is based in our state-of-the-artstudio in Altrincham, Manchester. We operate a 4-Day Week, and our working days are Monday to Thursday. Weprioritise being in the studio on these daystoenhance productivity, collaboration and creativity.
Responsibilities
- Design core gameplay mechanics, rules, and systems that make the game fun and challenging.
- Working with free-to-play monetisation strategies to balance player experience and revenue generation.
- Develop innovative and engaging game concepts tailored to the mobile platform and target audience.
- Create clear and comprehensive game design documentation, including specifications, wireframes, and user flows that align with the game’s vision.
- Collaborate closely with artists, programmers, and other team members throughout the development process.
- Use feedback from internal and external player testing to iterate towards the most successful and most engaging player experiences.
- Manage your time effectively to meet deadlines and work with production to ensure your work is well-planned and scoped.
- Participate in playtesting and provide feedback to improve game design and functionality.
Essential skills
- Proven experience in game design, specifically mobile free-to-play games.
- Ability to design and document complex game systems, including progression, economy, and player progression.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively present ideas and collaborate with team members, using tools such as Miro, Figma or similar.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and address design challenges.
- Understanding of game development pipelines and basic programming concepts.
Desirable skills
- A strong portfolio showcasing your design skills and creative process.
- Experience with Unity would be highly beneficial.
- Experience with user research and data analysis.
- Knowledge of scripting languages.
Recruitment Process
We are committed to hiring only the most talented individuals to fulfil our mission: to make great games that millions of people love to play every day for years.We conduct a fair and objective screening and interview process for all candidates.Our hiring decisions are based on how well each person\’s skills, experience and traits align withthe jobrequirements and values of ForthStar.
Diversity
Asan equal opportunities employer, we are dedicatedto building a diverse and inclusive team.We believe that our company should reflect the diversity of our audiences and the wider society we engage with.
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Free-to-Play Designer employer: ForthStar
Contact Detail:
ForthStar Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Free-to-Play Designer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in free-to-play game design. Understanding what makes games successful in this genre will help you align your ideas with ForthStar's mission to create engaging experiences.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your collaborative skills by discussing past projects where you worked closely with artists and programmers. Highlighting your ability to communicate effectively within a team will resonate well with ForthStar's culture of collaboration.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with monetisation strategies in free-to-play games. Being able to articulate how you've balanced player experience with revenue generation will demonstrate your understanding of the business side of game design.
✨Tip Number 4
If you have experience with user research and data analysis, be ready to share specific examples. ForthStar values feedback-driven design, so showcasing how you've used player testing to improve game mechanics will set you apart.
We think you need these skills to ace Free-to-Play Designer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Company Culture: ForthStar values creativity, collaboration, and innovation. Make sure to reflect these qualities in your application by showcasing your passion for game design and your ability to work well in a team.
Tailor Your Portfolio: Include a strong portfolio that highlights your experience with free-to-play mobile games. Focus on projects that demonstrate your design skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of player engagement.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your relevant experience but also expresses your enthusiasm for ForthStar's mission. Mention specific aspects of their games or culture that resonate with you.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your CV, emphasise your experience with game design documentation, monetisation strategies, and any tools like Miro or Figma. Be sure to mention any familiarity with Unity or user research, as these are desirable skills for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at ForthStar
✨Showcase Your Portfolio
Make sure to bring a strong portfolio that highlights your design skills and creative process. Be prepared to discuss specific projects, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them.
✨Understand Free-to-Play Mechanics
Familiarise yourself with free-to-play monetisation strategies and how they impact player experience. Be ready to discuss how you would balance fun gameplay with revenue generation in your designs.
✨Communicate Clearly
Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential. Practice presenting your ideas clearly and concisely, as you'll need to collaborate closely with team members and articulate your design vision.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Demonstrate your ability to work well in a team environment. Share examples of how you've collaborated with artists, programmers, and other designers to create engaging gaming experiences.