Level Designer

Position Type: Volunteer

Location(s): Remote

Why Rare Castle?

Rare Castle is an independent game studio driven by a bold, transformative vision: to create games that heal. we believe games can do more than entertain — they can mend the soul, cultivate calm, and inspire hope.

While horror games often thrill us with fear, we imagine something different: cinematic, story-driven experiences that guide players toward self-discovery, resilience, and emotional well-being. Our games are crafted with the same meticulous artistry as the most gripping horror titles — but instead of nightmares, we create spaces for reflection, growth, and inner peace, all brought to life with stunning, photorealistic visuals.

At Rare Castle, we are redefining what games can be. Join us as we build immersive worlds that spark curiosity, soothe the spirit, and leave a lasting, positive impact.

Responsibilities

• Design, block out, and iterate on levels and gameplay spaces that support narrative, pacing, and player immersion.
• Collaborate with game designers, artists, and the director to ensure levels align with story beats and emotional goals.
• Build and refine gameplay flow, points of interest, and traversal using Unreal Engine tools.
• Utilize lighting, composition, landmarks, and environmental storytelling to guide players naturally without intrusive UI.
• Contribute ideas to elevate exploration, mystery, tension, and wonder — especially in quiet, introspective moments.
• Playtest, gather feedback, and iterate on layouts to improve clarity, engagement, and emotional impact.
• Work with performance and visual constraints in mind to ensure levels are both beautiful and optimized.

Requirements

• A strong sense of spatial design, player psychology, and environmental storytelling.
• Experience designing levels using Unreal Engine (ideally UE5) — even through personal, academic, or portfolio projects.
• Ability to sketch or block out ideas quickly using basic geometry or modeling tools.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills in a remote indie team environment.
• Passion for narrative-driven games, psychological thrillers, and creative exploration.

Nice to have

• Familiarity with lighting fundamentals and visual scripting (Blueprints).
• Experience with modular design, landscape tools, or set dressing.
• A personal interest in creating emotionally impactful, healing, or meaningful game experiences.

What We Offer

• Creative Freedom: The chance to shape the visual storytelling of a unique, cinematic indie game and leave your artistic fingerprint on every scene.
• A Collaborative Environment: Work directly with a passionate founder and a small, dedicated team that values experimentation, curiosity, and open dialogue.
• Professional Growth: Build your portfolio with high-quality, real-time lighting work, and deepen your skills in a supportive, artist-driven setting.
• Flexible, Remote Work: Contribute from anywhere in the world on a schedule that fits your life.
• A Meaningful Mission: Be part of a studio redefining what games can be — creating experiences that heal, inspire, and leave a lasting emotional impact.