I am pleased to announce that I am a co-founder of a new company based here in the San Diego area.  We’re starting small and growing as needed.  Our focus is going to be on bringing some sophistication to casual/social gaming.  At some point we will also return to developing MMOs.

After a needed 3 year break from 11 years of working on massively multiplayer games with the large teams, budgets, and 3-5 year development cycles I think this will be a nice change of pace.  I’m also very excited to be involved in a genre that is relatively new to me.  I look forward to bringing MMO design principles to casual/social gaming.

And we’re hiring.  If you or someone you know fits the job description below, please email me at aradune@hotmail.com.  Also feel free to ask questions, although I must say up front that we’re not ready to reveal much.

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Position: Senior Designer

Classification: Employee (Salary+Bonus+Equity)

We are looking for “plank owner” team members of our new San Diego studio.  The company, not yet out of stealth mode, is a new game studio focusing on the next generation of more sophisticated casual and social games.

Overall Responsibility

We are seeking an experienced Designer to join our team creating the next generation of sophisticated social games. Candidates may have worked on console and/or PC games but must have experience with casual and social games of the past few years.  Candidates must be fluent in game design practices and overall game development.  The new team member will contribute to building the next wave of games incorporating exciting game mechanics new to the casual and social genre.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities

•Create or adapt leading casual & social game features to work with an emerging game concept

•Pitch new ideas to the team & hold brainstorming sessions

•Tune and model complex systems using Excel

•Write design documentation and narrative elements of the game

•Analyze feedback and metrics and adjust game designs accordingly

•Work with programmers, management and artists to oversee the implementation of new features and systems

•Describe user experience stories and create wireframe screens and flows

•Maintain records of design documents

•Any and all other duties as assigned

Skills & Attributes

•Proficient with game related math and formulas

•Experience designing game system mechanics

•Strong knowledge of game balancing and pacing

•Proficient with MS Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook

oAdept with Excel (spreadsheets)

•Familiarity using databases and custom apps that interact with databases

•Demonstrated interest in fantasy worlds, RPGs, and Social games

•One or more shipped games

•Excellent written & verbal communication skills

•Record of professional, solutions-based “team player” attitude

•Organized, multi-tasking, and detail oriented

•Excellent interpersonal and people skills

Experience Requirement

•Bachelor’s degree and casual game design experience

•Or significant casual game design experience on successful titles

Additional Preferred Experience

•Game design leadership experience at leading casual or social company

Location

Currently living in or available to move to the San Diego area. (There may be a relocation allowance for qualified candidates)

Opportunity

The successful candidate will joining a very experienced “brain trust” including a few very well known leaders from multiple game industry backgrounds, joining our team at a early stage of the business – a rare opportunity to see how a company runs from the inside out, contribute a significant part of its entire growth, and acquire a founding equity stake.  There will be significant upward potential for a candidate who is very capable and driven.