Lead Game Designer

About Erth.AI Erth.AI is an incubation studio dedicated to empowering anyone to be a creator. Founded by industry veterans and serial entrepreneurs from Zynga, Facebook, and Microsoft, our vision is to create the next evolution of the open metaverse by combining the creative freedom of Minecraft with AI-driven emergent gameplay. We are building a virtual world where players are not just participants but creators, builders, and entrepreneurs. We are looking for a Lead Game Designer to take ownership of the core gameplay and systems design for Erth.AI. You will lead the design of engaging game loops, emergent AI interactions, and a scalable virtual economy. Who We’re Looking For We are seeking a multidisciplinary designer leader who combines: • Game Design Expertise – A deep understanding of game mechanics, player engagement, and content creation workflows. • Proven Track Record – Experience in 0-1 game development designing and launching games from scratch, ideally in sandbox, simulation, or UGC-driven genres. • AI & Gaming Tools Experience – A strong background in AI-driven content creation, procedural generation, and automation in game development. What You’ll Do • Design and implement core gameplay loops, developing the systems that make the game feel alive and rewarding, from NPC interactions to business simulations and emergent player dynamics. • Lead the system design and architect the economic and progression systems. • Craft the creative vision and build the world, balancing player agency with guided experiences. • Leverage deep knowledge from best-in-class sandbox and simulation games to inform best practices and enrich the player experience. • Drive retention mechanics to keep players engaged long-term (e.g. quests and dynamic events). • Develop wireframes, prototypes, and flow diagrams to validate design concepts. • Use analytics to balance game loops, in-game economies, and progression paths. • Gather user feedback during alpha and beta testing to refine mechanics and UX. • Plan the transition from a closed alpha to a global cross-platform release (mobile & desktop). What You Bring • 5+ years of game & systems design experience in 0-1 and fast-paced startup environments. • Able to design emergent, story-rich environments that feel dynamic and engaging. • Ability to architect scalable economies, AI interactions, and emergent player behaviors. • Skilled at interpreting gameplay data to make informed design choices as well as translating player feedback into actionable design improvements • Founder mentality—comfortable working in ambiguity, taking ownership, and driving execution. • Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas across disciplines. Bonus Points • Hands-on experience with game engines (e.g. Unity, Unreal, Godot). • Experience with user-generated content (UGC), modding tools, or low-code/no-code platforms. • Experience as a builder/creator on UGC gaming platforms (e.g. Minecraft, Roblox, UEFN, Rec Room) • Familiarity with procedural content generation, AI-assisted level design, or machine learning for games. • Knowledge of game design for metaverse applications or social gaming environments. • Knowledge of AI/ML frameworks and their application in gaming. • Passion for democratizing game development through AI. Compensation & Benefits • Competitive salary: $170,000 - $250,000, based on experience. • Equity opportunities in an early-stage AI gaming company. • Health, dental, and vision insurance. • Unlimited PTO—we believe in work-life balance and flexible schedules. • Hybrid work model (2-3 days per week in our SF Bay Area office). Why Join Us? Be part of building the next-generation AI sandbox game from the ground up. You'll work with a team of technical and product visionaries at the cutting edge of AI-driven gameplay, shaping the core game systems, economy, and narrative that will drive a massive player ecosystem. This is your chance to leverage your creativity and systems thinking to build a fun and retentive game that will grow into a full open world. Join us to make an impact in the future of AI-powered gaming! Apply tot his job