Game Director

RELOCATION TO POLAND

Values Value is a recruiting company with expertise in game development and is currently looking for an experienced Game Director for a new premium PC/Console project at AA scope. Our client is a Warsaw-based independent studio, founded by senior leads from a major Polish AAA developer and backed long-term by an international developer-investor — now starting its debut title with creative ownership at the heart of the role.

This is not a traditional Game Director hire. The role is positioned close to co-founder level in terms of influence and responsibility, with a path to co-ownership of the studio. The successful candidate will have decisive input into what game gets made, how the studio is built around it, and how the team scales.

What are you working on?

• Genres: open creative direction, with a strong preference for survival, RPG, or action-adventure. An existing survival prototype is on the table — the Game Director decides whether to evolve it, rebuild it, or pivot to a different concept.
• Platforms: PC and Console (premium, single-player oriented).

For which tasks (responsibilities)?

Creative direction:

• Define the initial game concept (genre, core idea, player experience).
• Evaluate existing prototypes and decide whether to iterate, rebuild, or pivot.
• Pitch and align the game concept internally with founders, team, and investor.
• Define and evolve gameplay systems, core loop, narrative structure, world-building, and visual direction.
• Drive the prototyping process and validate ideas through playable iterations.
• Provide structured, constructive feedback across design, art, and narrative teams.
• Defend creative direction even when unpopular, including pushing back on the CEO when needed.
• Maintain clarity of direction throughout development; avoid unnecessary pivots.

Team and studio:

• Build trust with the team and establish leadership presence and credibility within the first six months.
• Contribute to hiring decisions for key creative roles.
• Engage with the investor on creative reviews when the founders bring them in.
• Collaborate with founders on high-level product and studio strategy.

What kind of professional are we looking for?

• 6+ years of experience in game development.
• Experience in a creative leadership role (Game Director, Design Director, Creative Director, or similar).
• Experience with premium PC/Console games — survival, RPG, action-adventure, or single-player-oriented projects strongly preferred.
• Strong creative vision and ability to onboard others around it.
• Deep understanding of gameplay systems, player experience, and engaging storytelling, particularly in iii and AA games.
• Ability to work from the early concept stage and define product direction.
• Proven ability to make decisions under uncertainty.
• Up-to-date knowledge of industry trends and player expectations.
• Demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, and team alignment abilities.
• Ability to balance creative ambition with production constraints.
• Practical, working English — able to explain complex creative concepts clearly and handle off-script discussion. Polish is a plus.
• Willingness to relocate to Warsaw, or to commit to meaningful onsite presence (3–4 week onsite kickoff, regular visits during probation).

Will be a plus:

• Experience shipping at least one title in a creative leadership capacity.
• Founder, co-founder, or early-team experience at a small or mid-size studio.
• Experience taking a project from prototype/concept stage through to production.
• Track record of resilience — projects that went through difficulty and were delivered anyway.

Why do we enjoy working here?

• Foundational hire — close to a co-founder, with a path to co-ownership of the studio.
• Full creative ownership of the game vision: you shape what gets made, how, and on what scope.
• Super high influence on both the game and the direction of the studio.
• Possibility of bringing your own game idea to life as the studio's debut title.
• Strong financial backing from an international developer-investor — without losing creative authorship.
• Long-term upside through equity / ESOP — a material part of the offer, tied to game and studio success.
• Lean, senior team, no big-studio political layers, direct access to founders.
• Transparent management and direct, honest culture — low ego, low drama.

What are the conditions and bonuses?

• Employment via B2B or standard employment contract.
• Fixed monthly rate, salary in PLN.
• Office or hybrid working model in Warsaw, with core hours 11:00–16:00.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Private medical insurance.
• Multisport card (gyms, sports venues, pools, etc.).

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