Principal Game Designer – Japan & Global Game Development

Applicants must be currently residing in Japan and possess valid authorization to work in Japan.

 

■ Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Principal Game Designer to lead high-impact design initiatives across Japanese-based game projects, spanning AA to AAA scope.

This is a senior individual contributor role with leadership responsibilities across design vision, systems development, and team mentorship. Working under the supervision of the Design Director, you will drive complex game design solutions, support project pitches, and ensure design excellence from early concept through final delivery.

You will collaborate closely with cross-disciplinary teams across regions, acting as a key creative pillar within projects and helping elevate both design quality and team capability.

 

■ Key Responsibilities

Design Leadership & Execution

• Lead design work across projects from concept to delivery, ensuring coherence, quality, and player-focused outcomes.
• Own and drive the development of complex game systems, mechanics, and features.
• Translate high-level creative direction into clear, actionable design frameworks and documentation.
• Ensure alignment between gameplay, narrative, progression, and other relevant design areas.

Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration

• Work closely with production, art, engineering, and other disciplines to bring designs to life. Act as a key point of contact for design-related topics across internal and client teams.
• Support alignment across distributed teams, ensuring consistency of design intent.

Pitch Contribution & Creative Development

• Contribute to and execute project pitches, helping define innovation-driven, compelling gameplay concepts and design visions.
• Rapidly prototype and articulate ideas to support business development efforts.
• Adapt design proposals to align with client expectations, particularly within the Japanese market.

Mentorship & Team Development

• Mentor and support junior and mid-level designers, fostering growth and design excellence.
• Provide constructive feedback, guidance, and best practices across projects.
• Help build a strong, collaborative design culture within the team.

Design Quality & Innovation

• Champion high standards of design quality, usability, and player experience.
• Demonstrate expertise across multiple core game design disciplines (systems, combat, progression, UX, etc.).
• Stay informed on industry trends globally, across games of varying scale and scope, and apply insights where relevant.

 

Required

• 8+ years of experience in game design, with significant experience on action games

• Proven ability to design and deliver complex game systems

• Strong portfolio demonstrating ownership of key gameplay features or systems

• Experience working across multiple design disciplines

• Experience mentoring, guiding, or leading other designers in a production environment

• Ability to work effectively under a Design Director while taking ownership of major design areas

Preferred

• Experience working with Japanese studios or on Japan-focused projects

• Background in co-development or external development environments

• Experience contributing to pitches or early-stage concept development

• Experience working within multicultural environments

• Japanese language proficiency, or a strong commitment to developing it in a professional context

■Skills & Competencies

• Design Expertise – Deep understanding across multiple areas of game design
• Creative Leadership – Drives vision while aligning with overall direction
• Systems Thinking – Able to design and balance complex, interconnected systems
• Collaborative Mindset – Works effectively across disciplines and cultures
• Mentorship – Develops others and elevates team capability
• Player-Focused – Prioritizes player experience and engagement
• Adaptability – Comfortable navigating evolving project needs and client expectations

■What We Offer

• Opportunity to represent a highly reputed global leader in game art services.

• Competitive compensation package with performance-based incentives.

• Chance to work with some of the biggest and most exciting game developers in Japan.

• A collaborative, growth-oriented global culture.

 

Role Information: EN

Studio: Keywords

Location: Asia Pacific, Tokyo, Japan 

Area of Work: Game Development

Service: Create 

Employment Type: Full Time 

Working Pattern: Hybrid

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