Game Designer

Exploding Kittens is a leading game and entertainment company with a mission to inspire people to connect, laugh, and play fun games in the physical world. After initially seeking to raise $10K through Kickstarter, the Exploding Kittens campaign raised $8.7M in 30 days from 219,000 backers. To date, Exploding Kittens is the #1 most-backed project in Kickstarter history and has sold over 20 million games. 

Started by former Xbox game designer Elan Lee and The Oatmeal’s founder Matthew Inman, Exploding Kittens and its family of games seek to reshape traditional game night into an entertaining person-to-person experience. Today, there are over 30 games available for purchase, an exclusive Exploding Kittens mobile game for Netflix subscribers, a free-to-play app, Kitty Letter, and an Exploding Kittens mobile app available iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch as well as an animated Netflix series titled ‘Exploding Kittens’ currently out now! Check it out and join us in the truly belly-aching laughs.

At Exploding Kittens, our game development team is responsible for bringing engaging physical games to life. As a Game Designer you'll collaborate with key stakeholders, senior designers, external inventors, and cross-functional teams to research, design, and develop innovative game concepts. You’ll play a pivotal role in crafting clear and compelling game instructions while working on multiple projects in various stages of development. A key part of this role is taking feedback from our games and making sure to make the correct iterations to make them fun, engaging, and marketable. From initial brainstorming to final production, you’ll guide projects to completion, making a lasting impact on the gaming experience.

HOW YOU'LL CONTRIBUTE:

• Researching, concepting, and developing core vision for games
• Collaborating with other game designers to process feedback and iterate on concepts
• Leading and organizing in-person and remote playtesting sessions
• Writing instructions & “How to Play” video scripts
• Communicating progress and needs to senior designers and VP of Game Development
• Conducting cross-departmental duties, including but not limited to:
• Working with project managers to establish project milestones milestones and ensuring deadlines are met
• Drafting Bills of Materials alongside members of Creative Operations and Production Teams
• Collaborating with Art and Production Teams to optimize user experience related to visual design and materials components design
• Assisting Customer Support Team in fielding gameplay-related questions post-release

WHAT WE NEED:

• Professional-level understanding of fundamental game design principles
• Proficiency in Technical and Creative Writing
• Fundamental understanding of Graphic Design and UX Principles
• Technical proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop
• Technical proficiency in Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides)
• Fabrication Skills for Physical Prototyping
• Experience with computer-aided prototyping tools and workflows, including 3D Printing, laser cutting, large-format printing, etc.
• Strong Communication and Organizational Skills

WHAT WE OFFER:

• 100% Company paid medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your family
• Flexible spending account options (medical, dependent care, transit)
•  401k with company matching
• Employee Equity Incentive program
• Flexible paid vacation
• Learning & Development allowance to invest in employee career growth
• Monthly wellness benefit + complementary wellness subscriptions

Please apply directly at jobs.lever.co/explodingkittens. Make sure to include a PDF of your current resume, along with a cover letter expressing your interest in the role. 

We believe that we become stronger and more competitive as a company by employing people with different backgrounds and experiences and from different cultures. As an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, we are committed to complying with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunity to applicants and employees regardless of sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), race (including protected hairstyles such as dreadlocks, braids, and twists), religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, gender (including gender identity, gender expression and/or the fact that an individual is transgender, transitioning, or transitioned), color, ancestry, national origin, possession of a driver’s license, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information/trait/condition, marital or familial status, family care or medical leave status, registered domestic partner status, age, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, membership in military reserves, political affiliation, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation. We consider all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable local, state, and federal “ban the box” and “fair chance” laws.