Lead Game Designer, Creative Development

2 Months ago • 10 Years + • Game Story Writing/Narrative Design • Game Design • $113,800 PA - $152,500 PA

Job Summary

Job Description

Lead Game Designer at Disney will partner with global developers to create next-gen Disney, Pixar, and Avatar games. Responsibilities include game & narrative design for large-scale projects, providing editorial feedback on game design documentation, gameplay concepts, and live ops plans. This role requires collaboration with partners and stakeholders, ensuring game authenticity and quality. The ideal candidate will possess expertise in game design across various platforms, strong leadership skills, and a deep passion for Disney brands. They will also mentor team members, improve processes, and stay current on industry trends. Brand and franchise guidance will ensure gameplay experiences authentically represent Disney's IPs.
Must have:
  • 10+ years game design experience (mobile/console/PC/online)
  • Shipped mobile, console, and/or PC games with live ops
  • Expertise in game & narrative design, system design, writing, and LiveOps
  • Experience leading game design & narrative initiatives
  • Collaboration with external teams & providing creative feedback
Good to have:
  • Specialization in Narrative/Writing, LiveOps Design, or System Design
Perks:
  • Health and savings benefits
  • Educational opportunities
  • Special extras

Job Details

Job Summary:

About the Role & Team

In this unique role, we are looking for a standout creative expert, leader, and collaborator to partner with the best game developers from across the globe to create the next generation of Disney, Pixar, and Avatar games.

This role draws upon your expertise not only as a seasoned game designer, but also as an authority on gaming trends and a passionate Disney enthusiast who can creatively support our external partners.

You will be the point person for game design and narrative submissions and discussions, leveraging best-in-class examples on the target platform and genre, and guiding gameplay and narrative through the lens of our characters and worlds, to ensure that each game is a compelling, appealing, and authentic Disney experience.

This is a Full-Time role.

You will report to the Sr. Manager- Creative Development

What You Will Do

Game & Narrative Design:

  • Represent game design and narrative on large, highly complex projects as an authority on the worlds, stories, and characters of Disney, Pixar, and Avatar.

  • Provide editorial feedback and lead discussions on game design documentation, gameplay concepts, features, LiveOps plans, and playable builds, while fostering successful collaboration with partners and stakeholders.

  • Review and provide actionable recommendations on story arcs, beats, and scripts to ensure authenticity and quality in our games.

  • Proactively identify areas of risk affecting product quality, story, and player experience; provide actionable solutions to mitigate game design and narrative risks.

  • Maintain familiarity with current game and game industry products and trends including popular gameplay features, trending genres, current platforms, and commonly leveraged retention and monetization techniques.

  • Independently balance a workload of diverse projects in varying stages of development.

Brand & Franchise Guidance:

  • Collaborate with partners to create gameplay experiences that authentically represent our brands and engage gamers and fans alike.

  • Exemplify the role of a creative negotiator, representing and advocating on behalf of our development teams, franchise partners, and key stakeholders to deliver against our collective product goals and gameplay needs.

  • Creatively and mindfully work within existing and upcoming Disney, Pixar, and Avatar IP guidelines to provide guidance to our partners.

  • Work closely with stakeholders to stay up-to-speed on latest D&I guidelines and ensure that the gameplay and stories within our products are being designed and executed mindfully, authentically, and respectfully.

Team Leadership

  • Mentor and provide game and narrative design guidance to internal team members; share best practices that foster inclusive creativity and elevate game design and storytelling in our products.

  • Identify opportunities to improve processes and pipelines for yourself and other design team members. Apply best practices to elevate how the team approaches gameplay opportunities and challenges within our products.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • 10+ years of experience in game design for mobile/console/PC/online.

  • Has shipped mobile, console, and/or PC games with live operations components.

  • Experience with large scale, high-profile projects preferred.

  • Expertise in game and narrative design, including system design, writing, and LiveOps.

  • A background in quality gameplay experiences across a variety of genres, platforms, and audiences for games.

  • Experience in assessing and editing design and narrative documentation including GDDs, feature specs, narrative outlines, dialogue scripts, etc.

  • Experience in leading game design and narrative conversations and initiatives.

  • Experience in successfully collaborating and providing creative feedback to external teams, vendors, or agencies.

  • Exceptional time management skills with the ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

  • A highly motivated, flexible, and solutions-oriented mindset.

  • Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.

  • Ability to travel and a valid passport.

  • An avid passion for all things gaming from mobile to console and wider industry trends.

  • An obsession with Walt Disney brands, including Disney, Pixar, and Avatar.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

In addition to strong generalist skills, demonstrated specialization within any of the following categories:

  • Narrative/Writing

  • LiveOps Design

  • System Design

Education:

  • AA/BA/BS preferred or advanced proficiency demonstrated via an industry standard level of videogame design.

Additional Information

Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at

#LI-VS2

#CPGPJobs

#DXMedia


The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $113,800 to $152,500 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Similar Jobs

Blazesoft - Investment Analyst

Blazesoft

Vaughan, Ontario, Canada (On-Site)
1 Year ago
PlayStation Global - Manager, Sales and Revenue Forecasting

PlayStation Global

Aliso Viejo, California, United States (Remote)
2 Months ago
People Can Fly - Live Operations Technician

People Can Fly

Yonkers, New York, United States (Remote)
1 Month ago
Epic Games - Live Operations Analyst

Epic Games

Porto Alegre, State Of Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil (On-Site)
3 Months ago
Keywords Studios - Senior HR Generalist

Keywords Studios

Austin, Texas, United States (Hybrid)
3 Weeks ago
Sony Pictures Animation - Story Artist - Series

Sony Pictures Animation

Los Angeles, California, United States (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Tencent - Principal Cinematic Artist

Tencent

Washington, United States (On-Site)
2 Months ago
CD PROJEKT RED - Senior Gameplay Designer (AI)

CD PROJEKT RED

Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland (Hybrid)
2 Months ago
Tencent - Senior Animation Director (IP Content)

Tencent

Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China (On-Site)
1 Month ago
SmileGate - LOST ARK Mobile Scenario Planner

SmileGate

Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea (On-Site)
1 Month ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Similar Skill Jobs

Epic Games - Backend Engineer

Epic Games

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (On-Site)
3 Months ago
OAO INFO INDIA - Product Lead

OAO INFO INDIA

Pune, Maharashtra, India (On-Site)
2 Months ago
Bungie - Marathon Global Community Lead

Bungie

(Hybrid)
1 Month ago
SuperPlay - QA Operation Engineer

SuperPlay

Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland (Remote)
1 Month ago
Ubisoft - Associate Art Director

Ubisoft

Shanghai, Shanghai, China (On-Site)
1 Month ago
PlayStation Global - Technical Product Manager II

PlayStation Global

Aliso Viejo, California, United States (Hybrid)
1 Month ago
Epic Games - Backend Engineer

Epic Games

(On-Site)
3 Months ago
Supercell - Senior Gameplay Programmer, Squad Busters

Supercell

Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland (On-Site)
6 Months ago
Keywords Studios - Junior AP Accountant

Keywords Studios

Cinisello Balsamo, Lombardy, Italy (Hybrid)
4 Weeks ago
Bungie - Marathon Global Community Lead

Bungie

(Hybrid)
3 Months ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Jobs in Glendale, California, United States

PlayStation Global - Manager, Live Services Revenue Forecasting

PlayStation Global

United States (Remote)
2 Months ago
WebFX - Junior Back-End Software Engineer

WebFX

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States (On-Site)
2 Months ago
Regent Craft - Mechanical Engineer - Hardware Design

Regent Craft

North Kingstown, Rhode Island, United States (On-Site)
6 Months ago
NVIDIA - Senior Architect, NVLink

NVIDIA

Massachusetts, United States (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Meetelise - Senior Software Engineer (Full Stack)

Meetelise

New York, New York, United States (On-Site)
6 Months ago
Next Level Business Services - UI developer

Next Level Business Services

San Francisco, California, United States (On-Site)
6 Months ago
Universal Music - Creative Director- Creative Services

Universal Music

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (On-Site)
3 Months ago
Santa Monica Studio - QA Lead

Santa Monica Studio

Los Angeles, California, United States (On-Site)
1 Month ago
ION - Technical Support Analyst, Jersey City - 9781

ION

Jersey City, New Jersey, United States (On-Site)
6 Months ago
Rapt Studio - Senior Designer (Interior Design/Architecture)

Rapt Studio

Los Angeles, California, United States (Hybrid)
6 Months ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Game Story Writing/Narrative Design Jobs

CD PROJEKT RED - Senior Quest Designer

CD PROJEKT RED

Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland (Hybrid)
3 Months ago
CD PROJEKT RED - Senior UI Designer

CD PROJEKT RED

Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland (On-Site)
6 Months ago
G5 Games - Narrative Director

G5 Games

Tbilisi, Tbilisi, Georgia (Remote)
5 Months ago
Larian Studios - Writer

Larian Studios

Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland (On-Site)
6 Months ago
Bluehole - Technical Artist

Bluehole

(On-Site)
1 Month ago
Beamdog - Senior Narrative Designer

Beamdog

Alberta, Canada (Remote)
1 Month ago
CD PROJEKT RED - Technical Narrative Designer

CD PROJEKT RED

Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland (Hybrid)
4 Weeks ago
Bluehole - Development PM

Bluehole

(On-Site)
1 Month ago
SPH Media - The Straits Times Specialist Internship – Interactive Graphics (4 to 6 months)

SPH Media

Singapore, Singapore (On-Site)
8 Months ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

About The Company

From classic animated features and exhilarating theme park attractions to cutting edge sports coverage, and the hottest shows on television, The Walt Disney Company has been making magic since 1923, creating unforgettable stories that connect with audiences around the world. And we’re just getting started!

The key to our success…. The Cast, Crew, Imagineers and Employees who honor Disney’s rich legacy by stretching the bounds of imagination to create the never-before-seen, bringing unparalleled entertainment experiences to people of all ages. Begin a career that delivers unparalleled creative content and experiences to audiences around the world and just imagine the stories you could be part of…

What is #LifeAtDisney like? It’s a series of magical moments with cast members and employees developing and telling our stories in the most innovative ways. Whether it’s a day spent as a Disney VoluntEAR, or celebrating the release of a new interactive experience, retail product or movie, our days are filled with the knowledge that we are creating entertainment experiences the whole family can enjoy. Follow @DisneyCareers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for a peek behind-the-curtain, and discover how you could connect to a world of stories with Disney!

Glendale, California, United States (On-Site)

San Francisco, California, United States (On-Site)

New York, New York, United States (On-Site)

New York, New York, United States (On-Site)

New York, New York, United States (On-Site)

Celebration, Florida, United States (On-Site)

Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States (On-Site)

Burbank, California, United States (On-Site)

View All Jobs

Get notified when new jobs are added by The Walt Disney Company

Level Up Your Career in Game Development!

Transform Your Passion into Profession with Our Comprehensive Courses for Aspiring Game Developers.

Job Common Plug