Unity Developer

ABOUT THE ROLE 

We’re looking for a Unity Developer based in South Africa to help us build the prototype for Hopetown — a narrative cRPG about memory, identity, and the ghosts of the past. You’ll be one of the first technical hires on a small, collaborative indie team, working directly with writers, artists, and leadership to bring our strange little town to life.

This is a contract role for the prototype phase, with the flexibility to be either full-time or part-time, depending on your availability. There’s potential to continue into full development based on fit and funding. You’ll be joining at a critical creative moment — shaping early systems, exploring tone and interaction, and helping us define the heart of the game.

If you love narrative games, experimental systems, and storytelling that hits hard — we’d love to hear from you.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build the Prototype: Develop and implement core features in Unity (C#), including dialogue, exploration, UI, and scene logic.

• Cross-Team Collaboration: Work closely with the narrative and art teams to create a playable vertical slice that captures the tone and feel of the world.

• Iterate Rapidly: Prototype and refine mechanics, taking a scrappy and creative approach to development.

• Tooling & Workflow Support: Build lightweight tools to support writers and artists in testing and integrating content.

• Ensure Performance: Optimise the prototype for stability and usability, ready for internal review or external pitch.

• Contribute Creatively: Share ideas and feedback on how systems, story, and world interact — and where they can go.

ABOUT THE GAME

Hopetown is a new narrative-first RPG inspired by Disco Elysium, being built by some of the team that worked on Disco Elysium, including Martin Luiga (founder of the ZA/UM Cultural Movement, writer of several characters on Disco Elysium, writer of the first short story in the Disco Elysium world), Lenval Brown (narrator of Disco Elysium) and Piotr Sobolewski (former CEO of Knights of U, which completed all the tech for Disco Elysium).

We are currently moving into early production, building out the foundational systems, characters, and mechanics that will define the experience. With your help, we can transform Hopetown from a great cRPG into an unforgettable one — a living, breathing universe of stories, surprises, and challenges.

ABOUT US

We are an ambitious new video game studio co-founded by industry veterans who played key roles in creating an award-winning title that has sold over a million copies and received multiple prestigious accolades, including BAFTAs. Our team is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of narrative-driven gaming, and we are assembling a talented team to create something truly exciting. As a fully remote studio, we embrace flexibility, innovation, and collaboration to create a unique gaming experience.

Requirements

We’re seeking a technically skilled and creatively curious Unity developer who brings both experience and initiative to the role.

• Unity Experience: 3+ years of experience using Unity with C#, ideally with a shipped game or polished prototype.

• Art Assets & Tools: Experience implementing and optimising art assets and art tools in Unity

• Narrative Game Interest: Strong interest in dialogue-heavy, story-driven games and/or experimental storytelling.

• Prototype Mentality: Comfortable working fast, iterating, and throwing things away when needed.

• Indie Energy: You’re a self-starter who thrives in small, scrappy teams and can work independently when needed.

• Strong Communicator: Clear and collaborative, especially when working with non-technical teammates.

• Git and/or Plastic Experience: Proficient in version control workflows.

Benefits

Creative Freedom: We foster an environment where your unique voice and vision can shape a groundbreaking RPG.

Thought-Provoking Project: Help create a game that challenges conventions, offers a deep philosophical experience, and invites players to explore not only a mysterious world but also the depths of the human psyche.

Flexible Working: We are a remote-first studio, offering you the freedom to work from wherever inspiration strikes.