Fatshark hiring Game Designer, Stockholm

At Fatshark, we are more than just a development studio; we are a collective of 190 passionate creators dedicated to the art of visceral, cooperative combat. Best known for the award-winning Warhammer: Vermintide series and our latest hit, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, we pride ourselves on building world-class AAA experiences in an approachable, fun, and passion-driven environment.

As we continue to expand the grim-dark universe of Darktide, we are seeking a highly motivated Game Designer to join our Live Team. This isn’t just about maintaining a game; it’s about evolving a living ecosystem. You will be the architect of long-term player engagement, ensuring that the citizens of Tertium always have new goals to strive for and epic rewards to claim.

Job Overview

• Company Name: Fatshark (Fatshark AB)
• Job Title: Game Designer (Live Team)
• Location: Södermalm, Stockholm, Sweden (On-site / Hybrid)
• Salary Range: Competitive base + paid overtime + bonus program
• Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
• Work Model: 4 days office / 1 day remote (Onboarding 100% on-site)
• Start Date: ASAP
• Department: Design & Game Writing

Role Overview: Game Designer (Live Service)

The Live Team is the heartbeat of Fatshark. As a Game Designer in this specialized unit, your mission is to ensure the long-term health and vitality of Warhammer 40,000: Darktide. You will own the player’s journey post-launch, designing everything from limited-time live events to the intricate balance of the in-game economy and premium store (MTX).

You aren’t afraid to iterate. If a system isn’t serving the player experience, you will lead the charge in rebuilding or refining it. You will work in the trenches with Art, Code, and Production to ensure every new feature feels like a seamless part of the Warhammer mythos.

Your Mission: The Architecture of Engagement

In a live service environment, the game is never “finished.” Your role is to keep the experience fresh, fair, and rewarding for millions of players.

Key Responsibilities

• Live Event Orchestration: Design, implement, and maintain engaging live events that break the mold and offer players unique challenges.

• Economy & MTX Management: Oversee the premium store and microtransaction systems, ensuring they provide value while maintaining game integrity.

• System Evolution: Design flexible reward structures, currencies, and progression systems that keep players invested for years, not just weeks.

• Tuning & Balancing: Constantly gather player feedback and data to adjust game systems, economies, and difficulty curves.

• Technical Problem Solving: Adapt your designs to technical and production constraints, collaborating with programmers to optimize features for a smooth live experience.

• Documentation & Vision: Create clear design documentation and communicate the “why” behind your systems to the broader development team.

The Ideal Candidate Profile

Fatshark is looking for a designer who understands the psychology of play and the technical rigor required to run a massive multiplayer game.

Required Qualifications

• Industry Experience: 3+ years of professional experience developing gameplay systems for released titles (AAA experience is highly preferred).
• Systemic Thinking: A proven track record of designing and maintaining large-scale, complex gameplay systems.
• Self-Sufficiency: You are a proactive problem solver with a strong sense of initiative. You don’t wait for a task; you find the improvement.
• Collaboration Skills: Exceptional ability to work across disciplines (Art, Code, Production) to ensure technical and aesthetic integration.
• Analytical Mind: A keen eye for identifying trends and potential improvements to the long-term health of a live game.

Bonus Points (The “Shark” Advantage)

• Shipped Titles: Having at least one AAA game under your belt.
• Multiplayer Expertise: Strong knowledge of cooperative gameplay loops and player dynamics.
• Technical Skills: Experience with LUA, visual scripting, or general programming.
• Domain Knowledge: A deep interest in Warhammer 40,000 lore or experience with Darktide/Vermintide 2.
• Academic Background: Education in game design theory or ludology.

Why Join the Fatshark Shoal?

Located in the creative heart of Stockholm, Fatshark offers an environment where your voice actually matters. Fatshark avoid rigid hierarchies in favor of a playful, inclusive workplace where the best idea wins.

Our Premium Benefits Package

• Financial Wellbeing: We provide an occupational pension, a performance-based bonus program, and—crucially—paid overtime.
• Work-Life Harmony: Regulated flex time allows you to balance your passion for games with your personal life.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health benefits, regular health check-ups, and a supportive atmosphere.
• Growth & Culture: Participate in our recurring Hack Weeks, where you can step away from your daily tasks to innovate and experiment with your co-workers.
• Relocation Support: We love global talent. If you’re moving to Sweden, we offer a relocation package to make your transition to Stockholm as smooth as possible.
• Social Life: From studio-wide parties and team-building events to our famous dog-friendly office, we make sure work feels like home.

Life in Stockholm

Fatshark’s office is situated in central Stockholm, a city known for its incredible quality of life, vibrant tech scene, and beautiful archipelago. As part of our team, you’ll enjoy a workspace that encourages social interaction and creative friction, all while being a short walk from the city’s best cafes and parks.

Application Details

Fatshark is reviewing applications continuously and aim to fill this permanent role as soon as possible. Our onboarding process is conducted fully in-person to ensure you are properly integrated into the team and the Darktide workflow.

Our Hybrid Policy: To maintain our collaborative culture, we work from the office 4 days a week, with the flexibility to work from home on one day (typically Fridays).