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- Tasks: Design epic 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 to work on beloved IPs and grow your career in gaming.
- Why this job: Join a team that values creativity and innovation in game design.
- 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
- Progression & Systems
- Balance the character progression and upgrade systems
- Make sure combat, level design, and progression all support each other
- Feedback & Iteration
- 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
- Cross-Discipline Collaboration
- 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
- Benchmarking & Research
- Refer to genre benchmarks in 2D action-adventure games
- Reference comparable titles when proposing gameplay features or changes
- Use benchmarking to support gameplay suggestions
- Documentation
- 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 London 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 London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the studio! Before your interview, dive into Bitmap Bureau's games. Play Xeno Crisis or Final Vendetta and think about what you’d bring to the table. This shows genuine interest and helps us see how you fit into our retro gaming vibe.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to showcase your skills! Bring along examples of your previous work, especially any 2D combat or boss design projects. We love seeing your creative process and how you tackle gameplay challenges.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication! Since collaboration is key, be ready to discuss how you’ve worked with artists and programmers in the past. Clear communication can make or break a project, so let’s hear how you’ve nailed it before.
✨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 when candidates take that extra step to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Game Designer (2D Combat / Melee / Shooting) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Gaming: When you're writing your application, let your love for retro games shine through! Share your favourite titles and how they inspire your design ideas. We want to see that you’re not just a designer, but a gamer at heart.
Be Clear and Structured: We appreciate clear communication, so make sure your application is well-organised. Use headings, bullet points, and concise language to highlight your experience in gameplay design and documentation skills. It’ll make it easier for us to see why you’re a great fit!
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to connect your past experiences directly to the role. Talk about your work on 2D action/adventure games, combat systems, and any collaboration with artists. Show us how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Reef Entertainment
✨Know Your Games
Brush up on your knowledge of 2D action/adventure games, especially those that are similar to Bitmap Bureau's titles. Be ready to discuss what makes these games tick and how you can bring fresh ideas to the table.
✨Showcase Your Design Process
Prepare to talk about your previous projects in detail. Highlight your approach to combat design, boss encounters, and balancing progression systems. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've tackled challenges in your past roles.
✨Collaboration is Key
Since this role involves working closely with artists and programmers, be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully collaborated across disciplines in the past. Share examples of how you’ve communicated design intent and adapted based on feedback.
✨Bring Your Documentation Skills
Demonstrate your ability to create clear and structured documentation. Prepare to show examples of your Game Design Documents (GDD) or any other relevant materials that showcase your organisational skills and attention to detail.