Game Designer (Systems)

Who We Are

Founded in 2005, 2K Games is a global video game company, publishing titles developed by some of the most influential game development studios in the world. 2K publishes titles in today’s most popular gaming genres, including sports, shooters, action, role-playing, strategy, casual, and family entertainment. Our studios responsible for developing 2K’s portfolio of world-class games across multiple platforms include Visual Concepts, Firaxis, Hangar 13, CatDaddy, Cloud Chamber, and HB Studios. Our portfolio of titles is expanding due to our global strategic plan, building and acquiring exciting studios whose content continues to inspire all of us! 

Located in Vancouver, BC, 2K Sports Lab is a small collective being formed within 2K Games that is driving the research and development of future sports interactive entertainment programs. Within this group, speculative work will be done on future sports games with an eye towards taking the magic of 2K’s publishing and development expertise and applying them to future opportunities. 

Our team of engineers, marketers, artists, writers, data scientists, producers, thinkers and doers, are the professional publishing stewards of our growing library of critically-acclaimed franchises such as NBA 2K, 2K PGA, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, Lego Drive, BioShock, Borderlands, The Quarry, Mafia, Sid Meier’s Civilization, Marvel’s Midnight Suns, WWE 2K, and XCOM.

At 2K, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We encourage ALL applicants to explore our global positions, even if they don’t meet every requirement for the role.  If you're interested in the job and think you have what it takes to work at 2K, we encourage you to apply!

What We Need

Our studio is looking for a thoughtful and detail-oriented Systems Designer to help shape the foundation of our player experience. In this role, you'll contribute to the design, balancing, and implementation of gameplay systems that bring depth, dynamism, and replayability to our game.

As part of the Core Fantasy team, you’ll work closely with senior systems designers, engineers, producers, and other partners to bring systemic features to life that support player freedom, progression, and agency. This is an exciting opportunity to grow as a designer while chipping in to a large-scale sports game with a daring and player-driven vision.

The Systems Designer will report to the Design Director (Core Fantasy) and collaborate regularly with feature teams across the studio.

What You’ll Do

Design Core Gameplay Systems

• Support the development of game systems such as progression, economy, rewards, player stats, and game modes

• Work within an established vision to help translate high-level goals into clear, scalable systems

• Own discrete systems or subsystems, and take them from concept to implementation

Balance and Tune for Engagement

• Help balance gameplay loops, player progression, in-game currencies, and related systemic mechanics

• Adjust tuning values based on feedback, metrics, and playtest results

• Analyze and model systemic outcomes to maintain a healthy gameplay economy

Partner with Cross-Functional Teams

• Collaborate with engineers, artists, and other designers to prototype, implement, and iterate systems

• Chip in to scoping and feature planning discussions with producers and project leads

• Ensure systems integrate cleanly with other game areas such as gameplay, UI, and content pipelines

Document and Communicate Design

• Create clear and comprehensive documentation for system logic, flows, and tuning guidelines

• Maintain design specs and balance sheets to support clarity and iteration

• Present your designs in team reviews and be open to feedback and collaboration

Champion Systemic Play

• Supply to the game's player-driven and emergent storytelling through robust systems

• Help ensure the systems empower player expression, decision-making, and important trade-offs

• Bring a player-first attitude to design discussions and problem solving

What Will Make You a phenomenal Fit

• 2–5 years of experience in game design, with a focus on systems design

• Experience designing and tuning game systems such as progression, stats, or in-game economies

• Solid understanding of balancing principles, player motivations, and systemic interaction

• Strong analytical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills

• Passion for sports games and/or systemic gameplay

• Comfortable working with spreadsheets and design tools for balance and documentation

• Positive, proactive demeanor and willingness to learn and adapt in a fast-paced environment

Beneficial Qualifications

• Experience working on sports games or simulations

• Familiarity with live service design, balancing for long-term engagement, or seasonal models

• Experience with scripting or configuration in a game engine (e.g., Unreal Blueprint, Unity, proprietary tools)

• Exposure to telemetry-driven design and KPI-informed iteration

The pay range for this position in British Columbia at the start of employment is expected to be between $60,700 and $89,860 per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program. Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company’s discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses.