Principal Combat Designer

Skydance Games, a division of Paramount, a Skydance Corporation, is creating the future of interactive entertainment across platforms and genres. Our teams are expanding beloved franchises with Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, pushing the limits of immersion, and shaping how we’ll deliver best-in-class games for years to come.

We build our games through creativity, collaboration, and trust, empowering teams to take ownership, openly share ideas, and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Every project is built with these core values, turning bold visions into experiences that resonate with fans around the world.

Do you want to craft games that challenge expectations and inspire players? Come build something extraordinary with us.

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As a key creative leader, working with our game directors and other leads to define the combat vision and then guide a team of talented designers to bring that vision to life. You'll be a hands-on designer, capable of prototyping and iterating on core combat mechanics while guiding and mentoring Senior designers.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of all combat-related features, from high-level vision to detailed mechanics.
• Champion the 3C's (Character, Controls, Camera) to ensure a cohesive and highly polished player experience.
• Define what makes combat "feel good" through a deep understanding of player psychology, moment-to-moment feedback, and fluid gameplay.
• Create and maintain design documentation, including combat systems outlines, move sets, enemy behaviors, and more.
• Collaborate with engineering, art, and animation teams to ensure your designs are feasible and executed to the highest quality.
• Prototype new combat mechanics and features in-engine.
• Mentor and provide guidance to other designers on the team.
• Conduct playtests, gather feedback, and iterate on designs.
• Stay up to date with industry trends and new technologies to push the boundaries of combat design.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience in game design, with a significant focus on combat design.
• Shipped at least one title in a lead or principal role.
• Deep understanding of gameplay mechanics, player feedback loops, and the principles of game feel.
• Expertise in the 3C's and how they influence player perception and engagement.
• Proficiency with Unreal Engine, specifically blueprints and prototyping.
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills. You can articulate your vision clearly and inspire a team.

The annual salary range for this position in Los Angeles is $165,000 – $185,000. The salary offered may vary based on the candidate’s location, qualifications, experience and relevant expertise, among other factors. The range indicated is for base salary only and does not reflect the total compensation package, including bonus, benefits, etc.

We realize that skills and expertise can come from many different experiences and paths, and we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all of the requirements as written in the job description.

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