Studio: Rovio
Job Opening: Principal Game Designer (Creative Lead)
Location: Helsinki Metropolitan Area or Barcelona
Type: Full-Time
Responsibilities:
- Collaborate closely with Game Lead in all areas of game vision, strategy and roadmap in order to share common goals and language to drive a unified game vision.
- Own all the areas of the game’s creative vision, strategy and execution. This includes, e.g., concept, gameplay, UX, narrative, art and functionality.
- Help Game Lead to ensure the game is successful in the market and that player needs and business goals are being met.
- Lead and mentor all creative team members to ensure smart innovation, design excellence, overall alignment, and direction.
- Are an expert in all aspects related to game design as well as in creative problem-solving and decision-making. You participate actively in the game design and transform ideas into detailed designs with the team.
- Work closely with Game leadership to guide priorities and goals to ensure the development process reaches the needs of each development phase. You participate in the decision-making and oversee the necessary adjustments to ensure the team delivers what is expected in a way that will guard team health and player experience.
- Communicate to the creative team their objectives, vision and strategy. You offer visibility on the progress and development of the game and other crafts across the production to ensure clarity, visibility and alignment between different stakeholders.
- Analyse creative workload versus production capacity, and work with the senior production team to establish a work schedule and priorities for the creative team that is in keeping with the project goals and timeline.
- Work closely with PM, UA and PMM to ensure that the promise of creative strategy is reaching a wide audience effectively and that it is aligned with what the game delivers for the players. Support Product Manager and work on A/B tests related to game features, events, etc. to enable further growth.
- Follow actively markets and competition in order to quickly identify opportunities as well as to ensure the competitiveness, differentiation, and longevity of the game.
Qualifications & Skills:
- Several years of experience and proven success designing casual mobile F2P puzzle games in a Principal/Lead Designer role.
- Experience in owning the game’s vision and strategy and leading its execution from a concept phase to a global launch.
- Experience working on all the aspects of game design, e.g., systems, economy, narrative, levels, UX, and social.
- Understanding how design can support business success.
- Expert in connecting player and business needs. E.g., understanding player motivations, engagement, retention, social aspects, and monetization.
- Strong skills to ideate, concept, prototype, and validate a game and its features.
- Strong understanding of game design principles, e.g., game balancing, economy, progression systems, and LiveOps.
- Strong skills to create competitor and market insights in order to see, e.g., opportunities, trends, or weak signals.
- Strong skills in creating, communicating, and showcasing new concepts and ideas.
- Ability to use a data-driven approach to find challenges/opportunities or to validate hypotheses.
