Job Description

Founding Game Designer

==========================

Location:

Bangalore preferred (Open to remote / hybrid with frequent office visits)

Type:

Full-Time | Founding Team Role (Includes Significant Equity)

Role Overview

-----------------



We are building a new kind of game-driven learning experience where

the human voice becomes the controller

. This role is for a

Founding Game Designer

who will help take the product from

idea to first playable experiences

.



This is not a typical level-design role. You will be inventing a new style of gameplay that combines

arcade fun

,

casual game loops

, and

voice-based interaction

, turning practice into something players want to do every day.



You will work closely with engineers and product leaders to design games that feel fun first, while quietly teaching skills in the background.

What You Will Create

------------------------

1. Core Gameplay Loop

Design a main game loop where short play sessions (around 3 minutes) feel exciting and habit-forming. Create learning without feeling like learning experiences through gameplay.

2. Voice-Based Mechanics

Design gameplay where

pitch

,

volume

, and

timing

directly control in-game actions. Translate vocal input into movement, aiming, power, physics, or progression.

3. Procedural Gameplay Systems

Design systems where songs automatically generate gameplay elements such as levels, enemies, obstacles, and rewards. Use song structure (lyrics, rhythm, melody) to drive game variety and replayability.

Key Responsibilities

------------------------

Player Understanding

Deeply understand beginners and casual users. Design for motivation, excitement, and low intimidation for first-time players.

Game Feel & Fun

Turn practice concepts (pitch accuracy, rhythm, breath control) into satisfying, arcade-style interactions. Focus on responsiveness, feedback, and moment-to-moment fun.

Rapid Prototyping

Build quick, playable prototypes to test ideas. Experiment with how voice input feels as a game control method.

Systems & Economy Design

Design progression systems such as streaks, rewards, upgrades, and currencies. Drive retention, habit formation, and long-term engagement.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work closely with AI and engineering teams. Understand voice analysis capabilities and latency, and design gameplay that feels responsive and reliable.

Requirements

----------------

Core Experience

Experience building games from

scratch (0 to 1)

. Comfortable working in an early-stage environment with fast decision-making and ambiguity.

Game Design Background

Experience designing

casual, hyper-casual, or arcade-style mobile games

. Strong understanding of game feel, instant feedback, and short-session gameplay.

Music Understanding

Basic ability to

sing or play an instrument

. Clear understanding of pitch, rhythm, and musical structure.

Technical Comfort

Comfortable working directly inside a game engine (Unity or Unreal). Able to tweak values, test mechanics, and script simple gameplay behaviors.

Bonus Skills

----------------



Experience in

game-based learning or edtech products

. Background in

music or audio-based games

(rhythm games, music-driven gameplay). Prior experience using

audio or voice input

as a gameplay mechanic.

Why This Role

-----------------



Work on a

large and growing market

that is still underserved for casual users. Help define a

new category of voice-driven games

. High creative ownership with real influence over game direction and mechanics. Early founding-team role with

equity upside

and long-term impact.

Please note:

This position is for one of Playdawn's clients, and successful candidates will be hired directly by the client, not by Playdawn.



Our client is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. They are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, or other protected characteristics. They believe that diversity fuels innovation and creativity, and they strive to create an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to shared success.