US Only
Game Designer (Contract)
Posted:
about 2 hours
Design
Contract
Lead / Principal
Game Designer (Contract) - Surco Games
- Duration: ~4 months (Oct 1, 2025 to Jan 30, 2026)
- Compensation: $60/hr, up to 220 hours
- Location: Remote (US-based preferred for payment and logistics)
Role
We’re looking for a Game Designer to help build a vertical slice of Last Call, a sci-fi bartending sim. The goal is to take a core idea, shape it into its most engaging form, and distill that vision into a 10-minute slice that captures the fun and shows what the full game could become.
You’ll join early and take point on how the slice plays, teaches, and evolves. There are guiding themes and ideas on the table, but nothing is sacred. Your job is to test, challenge, and carve the most compelling version of the loop. You’ll work closely with engineering and production to define the player fantasy, map out encounters, tune pacing, and cut what doesn’t land. Your decisions will shape every build.
Responsibilities
We’re looking for a Game Designer to help build a vertical slice of Last Call, a sci-fi bartending sim. The goal is to take a core idea, shape it into its most engaging form, and distill that vision into a 10-minute slice that captures the fun and shows what the full game could become.
You’ll join early and take point on how the slice plays, teaches, and evolves. There are guiding themes and ideas on the table, but nothing is sacred. Your job is to test, challenge, and carve the most compelling version of the loop. You’ll work closely with engineering and production to define the player fantasy, map out encounters, tune pacing, and cut what doesn’t land. Your decisions will shape every build.
Responsibilities
- Define and maintain the design pillars and player fantasy for the slice
- Collaborate with narrative to map events and integrate story beats into the game loop
- Design and balance resource flow, reward structures, and difficulty scaling
- Shape onboarding pacing with UI/UX to get players to “first success” quickly
- Call scope cuts early and propose simpler versions that preserve core intent
- Maintain a one-page source of truth for systems, loops, and changes
- Use playtest feedback and telemetry to validate and refine design choices
Ideal profile
- You’ve shipped a small game or vertical slice and know how to balance scope with fun
- You can explain a loop in one sentence and back it up with metrics or test results
- You’re strong in systems design but broad enough in UX and content flow to guide the slice
- You enjoy paper prototyping or grayboxing builds and can get to a testable version fast
- You write clearly and can sketch flows or interfaces that make intent obvious
How to apply
Send an email to jobs@surcogames.com with the subject “Game Designer - Last Call.” Include your resume, a portfolio link (GitHub, itch, personal site), and a brief note covering your time zone, weekly availability, preferred tools, and any work examples you'd like to highlight.
About
Surco Games is a new independent studio based in South Florida, building lean projects that tackle ambitious themes. Our goal is to make games that are as thoughtful to play as they are fun.
Send an email to jobs@surcogames.com with the subject “Game Designer - Last Call.” Include your resume, a portfolio link (GitHub, itch, personal site), and a brief note covering your time zone, weekly availability, preferred tools, and any work examples you'd like to highlight.
About
Surco Games is a new independent studio based in South Florida, building lean projects that tackle ambitious themes. Our goal is to make games that are as thoughtful to play as they are fun.
Apply To Job
To apply to this job, Email your application with all required documents to
jobs@surcogames.com
Apply to Surco Games's Game Designer (Contract) Job
BEFORE YOU APPLY:
- Make sure to read the job description carefully, and understand what the role requires.
- Update your CV if needed, proofread, and fix any errors.
- Make sure your CV reflects and highlights the main skills required for the job.
- Take some time to research the company, try to understand their kind of games and work culture.
- Write a cover letter. This is your chance to draw their attention. Show why you're a good candidate, and you can show you have researched their company and why you're interested in applying.
- Make sure to include your portfolio link if you have one. Any open source projects might be of great value as well. If you don't have a portfolio, you should consider making one in the future.
About Surco Games
Surco Games is a new independent studio based in South Florida, building lean projects that tackle ambitious themes. Our goal is to make games that are as thoughtful to play as they are fun.
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