Video Game Designer (Progression & Systems) - Volunteer Role

The Donovan's Venom, INC. Is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization dedicated to taking music, art, and entertainment to those who need it the most. The Donovan's Venom, INC. Caters to no particular individual(s) yet pledges relief to impaired or deprived individuals who are in need of musical,visual, comedic, and-or any alternative forms of liberation-through fine art & entertainment. The Donovan's Venom INC. Gives its resources to individuals who don't have the means or access. , The Donovan’s Venom is a 501c3 nonprofit organization focused on curating universal accessibility to fine arts and music education for all. We are passionately dedicated to ensuring that everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, has access to high-quality music education, performance opportunities, and fine art. We aim to inspire, empower, and uplift communities by fostering a love for music and the arts through our commitment to education, inclusivity, diversity, and social impact, which drives us to expand our reach continually and enrich the lives of those we serve. Position Overview The Video Game Designer (Progression & Systems) is responsible for designing, implementing, and refining the game’s progression systems, including leveling, rewards, unlockables, and player advancement. This role focuses on how players move through the game over time, ensuring that progression is engaging, balanced, and aligned with both gameplay and educational objectives. Operating at the intersection of game systems design, player engagement, and iteration, this role is critical to maintaining long-term player retention and meaningful progression. Key Responsibilities Progression System Design & ImplementationDesign and implement progression systems, includingLevel structures Experience systems Unlockables and rewards Ensure progression is clear and motivating Reward System DevelopmentCreate reward structures such asAchievements Milestones Incentives Align rewards with player motivation and engagement Gameplay Loop SupportSupport development of core gameplay loops Ensure progression systems integrate smoothly with gameplay Reinforce player engagement through system design Balance & TuningBalance progression pacing, includingDifficulty scaling Reward frequency Ensure fair and engaging player experience Data-Driven IterationAnalyze gameplay and player data (if available) IdentifyDrop-off points Engagement trends Adjust systems based on insights Collaboration with DevelopersWork with Unity developers toImplement systems Ensure functionality Provide clear design specifications Design DocumentationCreate and maintain documentation forProgression systems Reward structures Ensure clarity and consistency Player Experience OptimizationEnsure progression feelsRewarding Intuitive Engaging Support overall player journey Cross-Functional AlignmentCollaborate withGameplay designers → mechanics alignment Art team → visual feedback systems UX → clarity of progression indicators Testing & IterationParticipate in playtesting Identify issues with progression systems Iterate based on feedback Scalability & Future Content Design systems that canExpand with new content Support long-term updates Ensure flexibility in progression structure Continuous ImprovementStay updated onGame progression trends Player engagement strategies Introduce improvements to systems Volunteer Commitment Expectations Estimated Commitment 8–12 hours per week Availability Flexible, aligned with development sprints Participation in game design and development meetings required Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Game Design, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience) 2–4 years of experience in game design or related roles Strong understanding ofProgression systems Player motivation and retention Familiarity with Unity or similar game engines Preferred Qualifications Experience designing progression systems in games Experience with balancing and tuning gameplay systems Experience with data-driven design Experience in remote or distributed teams Important Disclaimer As a 100% volunteer-led U.S. nonprofit organization, we may engage volunteers located outside the United States. International volunteer participation is subject to applicable U.S. sanctions and export-control requirements, data privacy and information-security requirements, background screening where appropriate, and confirmation that the volunteer’s country and assigned responsibilities have been approved by the organization. This is a volunteer position and does not constitute employment.