ABOUT THE ROLE 

We’re looking for a Unity Developer based in South Africa to help us build the prototype for Hopetown — a narrative RPG 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 narrative RPG about returning to the place that made you — and maybe ruined you. You play a washed-up ghost-hunter unraveling disappearances, a decaying town, and your own haunted past. It blends surrealism, dialogue-driven gameplay, and psychological exploration in a world inspired by Disco Elysium, Planescape: Torment, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R.

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.

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.
•  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.

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.