Game Designer (Project Based Role)

Meow Wolf•Santa Fe, NM

3d•$80,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Meow Wolf opens portals of possibility. Come as you are! We are individuals who inspire creativity in people's lives through art and exploration, so that our combined imaginations can transform the world we live in. We create immersive and interactive experiences that transport audiences into fantastic realms of story and exploration. Our Vision is to be the world’s leading creative company, reimagining the paradigm of art and storytelling, to make a positive difference in the world. We share a strong commitment to Belonging through our values of: Collaborative Creativity: We believe the act of creating together amplifies possibilities. Provocative Playfulness: We celebrate the unexpected because it is the doorway to discovery. Outsiders Welcome: We are all outsiders at heart, and we create space for everyone to feel like they belong. Authentic Compassion: We are “kind punks” - supportive to each other and standing up for what we believe in. Audacious Courage: We have the courage to radically reinvent ourselves to push the boundaries of art. If this all sounds like YOU, read on…. Job Description: GAME DESIGNER Project Based Role: This is a project based position with an anticipated duration of 6+ months. Location: Santa Fe, NM (On-site) or Remote, providing the candidate resides in one of the following markets: Denver, CO; Las Vegas, NV; Houston, TX; Dallas, TX; New York, NY; or Los Angeles, CA Compensation: The base annual salary for this position starts at $80,000. Compensation may vary based on location and experience. As a Game Designer, reporting to the Director, Experience Strategy, you will be integral in developing quest experiences within our themed interactive art exhibitions. These experiences will leverage game mechanics like inventory management, economy systems, puzzles, progression, rewards, and branching narratives. You will work closely with Story, UI, UX, and production teams to craft engaging, seamless gameplay that integrates with both physical installations and mobile applications. A strong focus will be placed on designing systems that bridge digital interactions with the physical space, offering guests unique, rewarding challenges as they explore and engage with the exhibition.

Requirements

Experience: 8+ years of experience in game design or system design, with a portfolio showcasing your work in video games and/or interactive experiences.
Industry Tools: Proficiency with industry-standard tools and game engines such as Unity, Unreal Engine, or similar platforms.
Problem Solving: Strong problem-solving abilities, able to think critically about how digital and physical gameplay can merge to create unique experiences.
Collaboration: Demonstrated experience working in cross-functional teams, including UX/UI, product management, and development teams, with the ability to communicate design intent clearly and effectively.
Data Analytics: Experience using analytics tools to track and analyze user behavior, using that data to iterate on design elements.
Story-Driven Design: Proficiency in narrative-driven game design, creating systems that enhance storytelling and player agency.

Nice To Haves

AR/VR/MR Experience: Experience with augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), or mixed reality (MR) design, bridging physical and digital gameplay.
Cross-Platform Development: Experience designing for multiple platforms, with a focus on mobile-first gameplay that interacts with physical environments.
Live Operations (LiveOps): Experience working on games with live service elements, managing updates, balancing, and ongoing content releases post-launch.
Familiarity with Industry Design Patterns: Knowledge of design philosophies from major game studios and the ability to apply these insights to real-world, live entertainment.

Responsibilities

Design Quest Experiences: Develop engaging and immersive quest lines using familiar game mechanics like exploration, puzzle-solving, inventory, and progression systems.
Gameplay Systems Development: Create and iterate on core gameplay systems, including player progression, reward systems, narrative structures, and dynamic world interactions.
User-Centric Design: Collaborate with UX/UI designers to develop intuitive and accessible interfaces for quests, ensuring a seamless blend of physical and digital interactions.
Prototyping and Iteration: Use rapid prototyping techniques, including paper prototyping, to quickly test and validate ideas before moving to digital implementation. Iterate on gameplay mechanics based on playtesting feedback and data.
Workflow Development: Establish workflows for the development of quests and interactive gameplay, ensuring clear milestones, iterative feedback loops, and effective cross-team collaboration.
Collaborative Development: Work with cross-disciplinary teams (art, engineering, product management) to ensure alignment on game vision and execution.
Integration of Mobile App & Physical Space: Develop gameplay that leverages the physical space in tandem with a mobile app, ensuring smooth transitions between real-world and in-app interactions.
Data-Informed Design: Utilize data insights from playtesting, guest interactions, and user feedback to continuously improve and refine gameplay systems.
Storytelling and World-Building: Collaborate with the story team to integrate storytelling into quest design, ensuring that gameplay is both fun and narratively meaningful, building a sense of immersion and progression.
Technical Collaboration: Work with developers to ensure that game systems are optimized for performance across both mobile platforms and physical installations.