Project will require up to 10 hours of work per week, with some possibility of hours increasing as project progresses.
Time zone: EST

Role Description

We are seeking an experienced Game Systems Designer to design and balance the collectible mechanics that power our connected physical products. This is a project-based or hourly contract role focused on creating engaging, scalable collection, progression, and reward systems that bridge physical collectibles with digital experiences.

The ideal candidate has experience designing collectible economies, rarity systems, progression mechanics, and long-term player engagement loops for games, trading card games, mobile games, toys-to-life products, or similar collectible experiences. You'll work closely with our team to build systems that are fun, balanced, and scalable across multiple entertainment IPs.

Responsibilities

Design the collectible character system, including rarity distribution and production ratios for endoskeleton variants.
Balance rarity across the full collection to create meaningful chase collectibles while maintaining long-term collectibility.
Design the trait pack system, including:
- Total traits per character
- Trait rarity tiers
- Traits per pack
- Pack configuration variations
Develop systems for duplicate management, including trading, crafting, combining, or reward mechanics.
Create progression systems that allow collectors to upgrade and personalize characters as they expand their collections.
Design NFC-powered digital progression and scan-based reward mechanics.
Develop achievements, milestones, XP systems, badges, streaks, collector levels, and other progression features.
Create rewarding completion mechanics for characters, archetypes, and entire IP collections.
Design ongoing engagement systems including quests, challenges, seasonal events, and other live collectible experiences.
Balance the overall collectible economy to encourage long-term collecting, customization, trading, and repeat engagement while preserving collectible value.
Develop scalable systems that can be adapted across multiple current and future intellectual properties.

Requirements

Experience designing game systems, progression systems, or collectible economies for video games, tabletop games, trading card games, toys-to-life products, or similar experiences.
Strong understanding of rarity balancing, progression loops, reward systems, and player motivation.
Experience designing collectible or trading mechanics that encourage long-term engagement.
Ability to balance game systems using both player psychology and quantitative analysis.
Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams to translate concepts into scalable systems.
Strong communication skills and ability to document game systems clearly.
Self-directed and comfortable working in a project-based or consulting environment.

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