At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build engaging match-3 levels that enhance player experiences.
- Company: Join King, a leading interactive entertainment company with a playful mission.
- Benefits: Inclusive workplace, creative culture, and opportunities for growth in gaming.
- Other info: Work with iconic brands like Candy Crush and enjoy a dynamic team environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of gaming while collaborating with diverse talents.
- Qualifications: Experience in level design, especially for mobile or puzzle games.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 55000 £ per year.
At King, we don’t just create games, we build experiences that bring joy to millions. Our teams thrive on creativity, collaboration, and diverse perspectives, making Farm Heroes Saga one of our biggest successes. With the strength of an established brand and an ongoing drive for innovation, we see limitless opportunities for growth. Just as our games bring players together, we foster an inclusive and supportive workplace where every team member’s voice matters. We celebrate diverse backgrounds, share insights openly, and encourage everyone to grow. Join us in shaping the future of gaming, where fun, challenge, and creativity meet.
Your Role Within Our Kingdom
- Design, build, and tune engaging match-3 levels that deliver a strong player experience.
- Own levels from concept through implementation and iteration, using data and feedback to improve quality.
- Balance difficulty, pacing, and progression to support player retention and long-term engagement.
- Create and prototype gameplay elements and mechanics, supporting the evolution of the game.
- Collaborate closely with Game Designers, UI/UX, Artists, and Developers to ensure features and levels work together.
- Use tools and data to analyze player behavior and adjust level design accordingly.
- Contribute to level design guidelines, best practices, and ways of working.
- Ensure levels meet technical constraints and production requirements.
Core Skills
- Strong understanding of level design principles, especially in match-3 games.
- Ability to create fun, balanced, and scalable gameplay experiences.
- Solid grasp of player psychology, motivation, and difficulty curves.
- Comfortable working with data and KPIs to guide design decisions.
- Clear communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Strong collaboration mindset, working effectively across disciplines.
Technical Skills
- Experience working with level editors or game design tools.
- Understanding of system-driven design and gameplay mechanics.
Ways of Working
- You are a dependable and skilled Individual Contributor (IC).
- You are competent across most areas of level creation within your craft.
- You work as part of a team to defined standards and processes.
- You contribute to improving ways of working (WOW) by sharing ideas and solutions.
Education / Experience
- Experience designing levels for mobile, casual, or puzzle games (match-3 experience is a strong advantage).
- Proven ability to deliver high-quality content consistently.
- Understanding of live game development and iteration cycles.
- A portfolio or examples demonstrating level design work and thought process.
Bonus Points
- Experience with match-3 mechanics and difficulty balancing.
- Background in gameplay design, beyond level design.
- Experience working on live games with frequent updates.
- Familiarity with A/B testing and data-driven design.
About King
With a mission of Making the World Playful, King is a leading interactive entertainment company with more than 20 years of history of delivering some of the world’s most iconic games in the mobile gaming industry, including the world-famous Candy Crush franchise, as well as other mobile game hits such as Farm Heroes Saga. King games are played by more than 200 million monthly active users. King, part of Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), has Kingsters in Stockholm, Malmö, London, Barcelona, Berlin, Dublin, San Francisco, New York, Los Ángeles and Malta. More information can be found at King.com or by following us on LinkedIn, @lifeatking on Instagram, or @king_games on X.
Gameplay Designer employer: King
Contact Detail:
King Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Gameplay Designer
✨Tip Number 1
Get your portfolio in shape! Make sure it showcases your best level design work, especially if you've got match-3 experience. Highlight your thought process and how you’ve used data to improve gameplay – this will really catch our eye!
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with other game designers and industry folks on LinkedIn or at gaming events. Share your insights and learn from others – collaboration is key in our world, and it could lead to some great opportunities!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of player psychology and difficulty balancing. We love candidates who can talk about how they create engaging experiences that keep players coming back for more!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who want to help shape the future of gaming!
We think you need these skills to ace Gameplay Designer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Creativity: When you're crafting your application, let your creativity shine! Use engaging language and examples from your experience that highlight your unique approach to level design. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can bring fun and innovation to our games.
Tailor Your Portfolio: Make sure your portfolio is tailored to match-3 games and showcases your best work. Include examples that demonstrate your understanding of player psychology and how you've balanced difficulty in your designs. This is your chance to impress us with your skills!
Be Data-Driven: Since we love using data to guide our decisions, mention any experience you have with analysing player behaviour or using KPIs in your design process. Show us how you’ve used data to improve gameplay experiences in the past – it’ll definitely catch our eye!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at King!
How to prepare for a job interview at King
✨Know Your Match-3 Mechanics
Before the interview, brush up on your understanding of match-3 game mechanics. Be ready to discuss how you would design engaging levels that balance difficulty and player retention. Having specific examples from your portfolio will show your expertise and passion for gameplay design.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since collaboration is key at King, prepare to share experiences where you've worked closely with other disciplines like UI/UX, artists, or developers. Highlight how you contributed to a project and how you navigated any challenges in communication or teamwork.
✨Data-Driven Design is Your Friend
Familiarise yourself with how data influences level design decisions. Be prepared to discuss how you've used KPIs or player feedback in past projects to iterate and improve gameplay experiences. This will demonstrate your analytical mindset and commitment to quality.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your best friend during the interview. Make sure it showcases not just your finished levels but also your thought process and iterations. Be ready to walk through your design choices and how they align with player psychology and engagement strategies.