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- Tasks: Design thrilling combat and boss encounters for a new 2D action/adventure game.
- Company: Bitmap Bureau, a passionate game studio creating retro-inspired titles.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, life insurance, private medical insurance, and a creative work environment.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for career growth in a dynamic and collaborative setting.
- Why this job: Join a team dedicated to crafting nostalgic gaming experiences and make your mark in the industry.
- Qualifications: 2-5 years in gameplay design with a focus on 2D action/adventure games.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
This is an appointment for our UK dev team.
About Bitmap Bureau
Founded in 2016 by industry veterans Matt Cope and Mike Tucker, Bitmap Bureau is a game development studio based in Southampton. Bitmap Bureau are truly passionate about retro games and are dedicated to creating new titles that hark back to gaming’s golden era through 2D graphics, authentic packaging and a traditional hands-on approach to coding and development. Notable releases include Xeno Crisis, Final Vendetta, and Terminator 2D: NO FATE, with He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction coming soon!
We are looking for a Game Designer to work with our team on a new 2D action/adventure title.
The Role
This is a hands-on gameplay design position focused on combat, boss encounters, progression systems and difficulty balancing. You will work closely with the Production team and Gameplay Programmer to evolve, create and refine the game’s core system and mechanics. This is a full-time, office-based role in Southampton.
Responsibilities
- Combat & Boss Design
- Design and iterate on enemy behaviors and combat encounters
- Create varied and distinct, multi-phase boss fights
- Balance player abilities against evolving enemy challenge
- Tune the overall game difficulty curve
- Balance the character progression and upgrade systems
- Make sure combat, level design, and progression all support each other
- Internalize and respond constructively to stakeholder and playtest feedback
- Translate feedback into gameplay improvements
- Iterate on combat, level flow, and systems based on review cycles
- Clearly communicate design reasoning when proposing changes
- Work closely with 2D artists and animators to ensure gameplay requirements are clearly defined
- Align enemy behaviors, attack timings, and boss mechanics with animation constraints
- Ensure strong visual telegraphing and mechanical readability
- Collaborate across disciplines to deliver cohesive gameplay moments
- Refer to genre benchmarks in 2D action-adventure games
- Reference comparable titles when proposing gameplay features or changes
- Use benchmarking to support gameplay suggestions
- Maintain and evolve relevant sections of the GDD
- Clearly communicate design intent to programmers and artists
- Produce structured documentation, diagrams, and gameplay breakdowns
Required Experience
- 2–5+ years experience in gameplay design
- Clear and structured documentation skills
- Experience working on a 2D action or adventure game
- Understanding of combat systems (melee and gunplay) and boss design
- Experience balancing difficulty and player progression
- Experience collaborating closely with artists and animators
Highly Desirable
- Programming skill and familiarity with source control systems, ideally C#, Haxe, git
- Experience with level editing in Tiled
Above and Beyond
- Experience working on a licensed IP
- Experience with Unity
- Shipped console title
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £30,000.00-£40,000.00 per year
Benefits: Life insurance, Private medical insurance
Ability to commute/relocate: Southampton SO18 1NP: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Application question(s): Will you now or in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the UK?
Experience: Gameplay Design: 2 years (required), 2D action/adventure game development: 2 years (required)
Work authorisation: United Kingdom (required)
Location: Southampton SO18 1NP (preferred)
Work Location: In person
Game Designer (2D Combat / Melee / Shooting) in Croydon employer: Reef Entertainment
Contact Detail:
Reef Entertainment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Game Designer (2D Combat / Melee / Shooting) in Croydon
✨Tip Number 1
Get your portfolio sorted! Showcase your best work, especially anything related to 2D action/adventure games. Make sure it highlights your combat design skills and any boss encounters you've crafted.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Attend gaming events or meetups in Southampton, and connect with other game designers. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings at Bitmap Bureau!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of retro games and the titles Bitmap Bureau has released. Show us you’re passionate about the genre and ready to contribute to their next big hit!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Game Designer (2D Combat / Melee / Shooting) in Croydon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Retro Games: When you're writing your application, let your love for retro games shine through! Mention any classic titles that inspire you and how they influence your design philosophy. We want to see that you're as passionate about gaming's golden era as we are!
Be Clear and Structured: Since clear documentation is key in this role, make sure your application reflects that. Use headings, bullet points, and concise language to showcase your experience and skills. This will help us see your ability to communicate effectively right from the start.
Highlight Collaboration Skills: We value teamwork here at Bitmap Bureau, so don’t forget to mention your experience working with artists and programmers. Share examples of how you've collaborated on projects in the past, especially in 2D action/adventure games, to show us you can work well across disciplines.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our studio and what we do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Reef Entertainment
✨Know Your Games
Familiarise yourself with Bitmap Bureau's notable releases like Xeno Crisis and Final Vendetta. Understanding their design philosophy and gameplay mechanics will help you discuss how your experience aligns with their vision.
✨Showcase Your Design Process
Be ready to talk about your approach to combat and boss design. Prepare examples of how you've balanced player abilities and enemy challenges in past projects, and be specific about the tools and methods you used.
✨Collaboration is Key
Highlight your experience working with artists and programmers. Discuss how you've communicated design intent and collaborated across disciplines to create cohesive gameplay moments, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Prepare for Feedback
Demonstrate your ability to internalise and respond to feedback. Share examples of how you've iterated on designs based on playtest results, and be ready to discuss how you handle constructive criticism.