Senior Combat Designer

Red Rover Interactive is an exciting new game development studio founded by industry veterans from renowned companies such as Funcom, Lockwood Publishing, Bohemia Interactive, Ubisoft Reflections, and more. We're on a mission to reimagine the multiplayer gaming landscape, with an emphasis on crafting groundbreaking survival experiences that champion player agency and drama.

The Role:

As a Combat Designer you will be responsible for making first person ranged and melee combat the highlight of the game. You will hook players with it, but also create enough depth and width which will drive long term player engagement, potentially for years to come. Furthermore, you will use your expertise and experience to make the overall "second-to-second” gameplay fluent and engaging. Creating a player experience which not only goes beyond the best survival games, but also rivals top industry standards. 

All of this in a senior team driven with collaborative creativity, which you always know how to harness. You know exactly when to push and when to pull. You will have all the agency, ownership, responsibility and support to own the combat and second-to-second topic and forge something awesome.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has proven track record in first person ranged and / or melee combat in a PvP setting
• Has full ownership of translating game vision into high level design of the combat and second to second experience
• Can translate high level design through hands on work into game reality
• Has ability to design for specific skill curves and ceilings, knowing where to go "hardcore" and where to go "arcade"
• Knows how to balance combat systems for game as a service with lifetime of multiple years

In addition, we expect you to:

• Be a great creative facilitator harnessing the full creative potential of the whole team. You should never care where the ideas are from, only if they are best for the game
• As much as possible, seek design validation, being it playtesting, community engagement or metrics
• Be informed how to create and operate features for a live service game in all its stages
  
• Be able to in a constructive and meaningful way engage with the player community
• Ideally, have strong knowledge of the survival genre, both as a designer and a player

For a position at our Newcastle office, you must possess the legal right to work in the UK. Similarly, to be eligible for a position in our Oslo office, one must have the requisite work permissions in Norway (i.e. be an EU national or have a valid work permit).

How We Work:  

We strongly believe that our team and culture are integral to building creative and innovative games, to this ends we prioritize an office-first approach with hybrid home working options. With office locations in Oslo, Norway, and Newcastle, UK, we foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment where each team member's contribution is valued. 

The Application Process:

If you know someone on the team, feel free to reach out directly - a personal recommendation speaks volumes. Our hiring process is streamlined to respect your time. Expect an introductory call with our Head of People, followed by a formal interview and skills assessment. In the final interview, you’ll meet the remaining founding members to learn about our vision and strategy.

Are you a trailblazer yearning to make a substantial impact? We’re seeking self-driven professionals who:

• Flourish in a fast-paced startup environment
• Take initiative and drive development forward
• Adapt effortlessly to wearing multiple hats
• Foster innovation through a fail-fast mindset

If this resonates with you, we invite you to join the ranks of Red Rover Interactive!