Level99 is a sprawling playground designed for adults with over 50 life-sized mini-games where Players dodge axes, crack puzzles, and outsmart real-world challenges. Each game lasts about 1–4 minutes and is built for 2–6 people to play together. One ticket to Level99 unlocks access to all of our games including Challenge Rooms, Player-vs-Player duels, and an art scavenger hunt. We save your progress each time you play so you can earn rewards and climb our coveted leaderboard.
Alongside the games, Level99 offers a full-service bar and award-winning restaurant – featuring scratch-cooking, local craft beers, handmade cocktails, and a variety of event spaces. Level99 has locations in Natick, MA, Providence, RI, Tysons, VA, Disney Springs, FL, and is opening in West Hartford, CT, Paramus, NJ, King of Prussia, PA, and Raleigh, NC. Level99 is backed by Act III Holdings, led by Panera founder Ron Shaich, and we have a talented team that has worked on successful entertainment projects ranging from 5 Wits to Walt Disney Imagineering. Visit www.level99.com for more details.
The Metagame Design Architect is a key architect and detailed designer behind Level99’s "game beyond the game." With a dotted line directly to the CEO, who serves as Chief Creative Officer at Level99, you will be responsible for designing and scaling best-in-class metagame content, connecting individual physical challenges into a cohesive, overarching player experience.
You will identify innovative ways players interact with our venues, both at home and in-person, prototype new concepts to assess technical and experiential feasibility, and collaborate directly with the CEO and executive leadership to define the future of the Level99 metagame. This is a highly hands-on, "working" design role: you will conceptualize the high-level vision while actively detailing, prototyping, and implementing the finished solutions.
At Level99, culture is critical. The ideal Metagame Design Architect is passionate about the details, anticipates guest and staff needs, and continuously elevates the brand. We are looking for a professional with unquestionable integrity who approaches challenges with a joyful, positive attitude. You must value humility and collaboration over the need to "be right," and act at all times with the mindset of an Owner and Operator of our venues.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Strategic Design & Vision
Architect the Experience: Design achievement systems, reward structures, in-game economies, and progression models that drive deep guest engagement and repeat visits across physical and remote touchpoints. Wireframe end to end player touchpoints from pre-visit, to in-venue, and finally post-visit. Maximize the number of players actively engaging in metagame features.
Concept Development: Drive early-phase brainstorming, author vision documents, build detailed presentations, and pitch innovative concepts for the overall guest journey.
Executive Collaboration: Partner with the CEO, who serves as Chief Creative Officer, and the leadership team to shape the metagame vision. Take creative direction gracefully and maintain a flexible, collaborative approach.
Business Acumen: Evaluate the financial implications of design proposals, skillfully balancing ROI with an exceptional player experience.
- System Mechanics & Analytics
Economy Balancing & “The Math”: Detail game mechanics, build probabilistic models, and perform the rigorous mathematical balancing required for robust game ecosystems. This role is not just coming up with an idea – it includes following through with detailed design and execution at a granular level
Data-Driven Iteration: Together with our data team, conduct statistical and data analysis before, during, and after feature launches to tailor monetization, rewards, and game features to actual user behavior patterns.
Live Operations: Maintain and evolve existing game systems, overseeing post-launch balancing, seasonal events, and regular content updates.
- Execution & Cross-Functional Leadership
Detailed Documentation: Author intuitive and complete design documents, feature specifications, flow diagrams, and UI/UX wireframes for stakeholders, software developers, and implementation teams.
Creative Granularity: Develop scripts, outlines, storyboards, treatments, models, and digital/manual drawings to fully detail and execute projects.
Cross-Functional Integration: Work closely with project management, creative, software development, engineering, marketing, and venue operations teams to ensure systems integrate seamlessly into physical venues.
Project Management: Drive metagame projects forward through the schedules and interests of numerous stakeholders. Maintain a highly organized schedule, and digital archive of all design components and finished deliverables.
Professional Administration: Manage administrative tasks effectively, including time/cost reporting, task prioritization, and leading design and planning meetings.
Other duties as assigned
MUST-HAVE SKILLS
- Experience: 5+ years in game design, including at least 2+ years in a Senior Designer role. Must have shipped titles in mobile/F2P metagame design, major video game titles, AR/VR/XR, or real-world interactive entertainment.
- Systems Mastery: Proven track record designing economy models, meta-progression loops, player retention systems, and dynamic event structures.
- Analytical Skills: Strong demonstrated ability in probability, statistics, and mathematical modeling as they pertain to game design.
- Physical UX Understanding: Deep understanding of real-world crowd dynamics, throughput constraints, operational physical flows, and human-computer interaction in physical environments.
- Communication: Exceptional verbal, written, and visual communication skills, with the ability to convey complex system concepts via pitch decks, flowcharts, and technical documentation.
- Self-Management: Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of self-managing time and resources in a fast-paced, low-oversight environment.
- Education: High School diploma or equivalent required.
- Attitude: A positive, joyful, upbeat and energetic attitude – very collaborative in style, and leading by example
- Flexible Scheduling: Ability to work a flexible schedule based on business needs, which may include emergency responsiveness to pressing technical issues.
- On-Site Collaboration: Willingness to work on-site at the Norwood office for collaboration (currently, the team is in the office Tuesday through Thursday, which may change), and at the Natick and Providence venues to test game theories, observe real players in action, and collaborate with operations teams.
- Travel: Ability to travel occasionally for regional site or vendor visits.
OTHER DESIRABLE (BUT NOT NECESSARY) SKILLS & EXPERIENCE INCLUDE
- Education: Bachelor’s degree or better in a relevant design, engineering, or interactive media discipline.
- Hardware Knowledge: Familiarity with physical hardware integration (e.g., sensors, RFID, projection mapping).
- Visual Skills: Proficiency in graphic design and visual mock-ups
- Health insurance options, including PPO and HMO plans
- Dental plan
- Vision plan
- Life coverage
- Accidental death & dismemberment coverage (AD&D)
- Short & long term disability
- Teladoc service
- PrePaid legal coverage
- Identity theft coverage
- 401(k) - Roth or Traditional
- Hybrid schedule
- Free admission to our attractions and other incidental perks
- Like to laugh, would be described as a "low maintenance, low drama" person, have a tendency to have a bit of fun while you work
- Have a high tolerance for ambiguity, like to go fast, and are excited to learn on the job
- Are just a little bit obsessive about getting the details right the first time
- Have a high energy personality, the kind of person who is typically smiling, and likes to "get it done now"
Skills Required
- 5+ years of game design experience
- At least 2 years of experience in a Senior Designer role
- Shipped titles in mobile/F2P metagame design, major video games, AR/VR/XR, or real-world interactive entertainment
- Experience designing economy models, meta-progression loops, player retention systems, and dynamic event structures
- Strong ability in probability, statistics, and mathematical modeling for game design
- Understanding of crowd dynamics, throughput constraints, physical operational flows, and human-computer interaction
- Exceptional verbal, written, and visual communication skills
- Ability to convey complex systems through pitch decks, flowcharts, and technical documentation
- Highly organized and detail-oriented; able to self-manage time and resources
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Positive, collaborative, upbeat, and energetic attitude
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including emergency responsiveness when needed
- Willingness to work on-site at the Norwood office and at Natick and Providence venues
- Ability to travel occasionally for regional site or vendor visits
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant design, engineering, or interactive media discipline
- Familiarity with physical hardware integration, such as sensors, RFID, or projection mapping
- Proficiency in graphic design and visual mock-ups
What We Do
Level99 is a first-of-its-kind destination for real-world, social, challenge-based entertainment for adults featuring over 50 mental and physical challenges set in immersive, artistic environments. Each challenge is designed to bring a group together in engaging activities that take 2 to 4 minutes to complete, sparking moments of laughter in epic fails and high-fives in triumphant wins. From navigating our iconic Axe Run, to solving puzzles in a Crystal Cavern, to conquering the largest pinball game imaginable, Level99 offers endless ways to play using both body and mind. Level99 tracks each player’s progress as they work their way up the coveted leaderboard or try to collect every “star” available in the venue, unlocking exclusive rewards as they play. To enhance the gaming experience, Level99 offers a full-service bar, restaurant, and beer hall, Night Shift Kitchen + Tap, that features scratch-made cooking, legendary craft beers, hand-made creative cocktails, and a variety of dining and gathering spaces for events. In 2025, we will be adding Victory Brewing in Tysons, VA and Two Roads Kitchen + Tap in West Hartford, CT to our group of restaurants as we team up with local brewers in support of our northeast expansion. Level99 opened its first location in 2021 in Natick, MA, followed by its second location in Providence, RI in 2024. A young, entrepreneurial company, Level99 has immediate plans to triple in size over the next 18 months. We are backed by Act III Holdings, led by Panera founder Ron Shaich, and we have a talented team that has worked on successful entertainment projects such as 5 Wits, Boda Borg, Blue Man Group, and Walt Disney Imagineering. This position is an opportunity for an experienced and motivated individual to dive into a fast-paced, dynamic environment where you can apply your skills in a fun and exciting setting that brings joy and entertainment to hundreds of thousands of people each year. More information on Level99 and our restaurants is available at http://www.level99.com.
