Senior Combat Game Designer

This role involves creating, prototyping, and implementing core combat mechanics, systems, and characters for AAA games. The Senior Combat Game Designer will collaborate across disciplines, document designs, and stay updated on industry trends. Key responsibilities include developing engaging gameplay scenarios and contributing to the combat design team's goals, requiring strong technical skills in game editors and scripting, along with a passion for combat-oriented games.

Must Have

• Create and prototype gameplay ideas for combat mechanics and systems.
• Implement combatant characters with animations and behaviors.
• Create design documents and system outlines.
• Collaborate with multiple disciplines.
• Stay current on industry trends and design techniques.
• 5+ years experience in AAA game production for consoles and PC.
• 2+ years experience shipping third-person melee combat titles.
• Proficiency with at least one game editor.
• Ability to conceptualize and implement game systems and features.
• Experience with visual and/or text-based scripting.

Good to Have

• Familiarity with Lua scripting language.
• Good understanding of action-adventure genre design, player psychology, and emerging industry trends.
• Some knowledge of Maya, 3DS Max or similar 3D package.
• JIRA, Confluence and Perforce Knowledge.

Perks & Benefits

• Benefit package 100% paid by PCF, with 100% reimbursement of claims (Up to $500 per service a year, plus individual/family coverage).
• Full Dental coverage, including major dental and orthodontics.
• 4% RRSP matching before tax deductions, 100% vested on day 1.
• Paid week off during Winter Holidays.
• 20 paid vacation days and 5 paid sick days.
• Free virtual health and mental wellbeing sessions for members and their dependents.
• A competitive salary and performance-based annual bonuses.
• Personal development opportunities and ability to work in a global environment.
• Work in a creative team with passionate individuals.

Job Description

• Creating, pitching, and prototyping gameplay ideas for core combat and moment-to-moment mechanics and systems, combat characters, their feel, behavior, abilities, and encounters in various settings.
• Implementing combatant character with animations and behavior using state machines, behavior trees, visual effects, sound effects & combat encounters with arena layouts, and pacing using provided level design tools and various other scripting systems.
• Creating designs documents, content briefs, system outlines, and other means of sharing all the necessary information with involved teams.
• Collaborating with multiple disciplines, ensuring the correct partners are involved and informed throughout the development process.
• Remaining current on industry trends, including new game genres, new game design methods and techniques, and trending audio-visual excellence.
• Able to operate with a high degree of agency and autonomy, and help shape the goals of the combat design team.

Qualifications

• At least 5+ years of experience in the production of AAA games for consoles and PC.
• 2+ years of experience shipping third-person melee combat titles in AI, combat, or systems design roles.
• Working proficiency with at least one game editor; multiple engine experience is valued.
• Exceptional ability to conceptualize, pitch, and implement game systems and features using various tools, technology, and visual language.
• Clear understanding of creative and game development processes.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Proven successes in creating compelling and fun gameplay, scenarios, and encounters.
• Self-motivated, hard worker with a team-focused attitude and ability to both give and take feedback and criticisms.
• Passion for combat-oriented games (action-adventure titles with 3rd person combat, or combat RPGs).
• Experience with scripting (visual and/or text based) to support avatar behaviors, combat actions, and actions related to hero state machines.

Nice to have:

• Familiarity with Lua scripting language.
• Good understanding of action-adventure genre design, player psychology, and emerging industry trends.
• Some knowledge of Maya, 3DS Max or similar 3D package.
• JIRA, Confluence and Perforce Knowledge.

Additional Information

What we offer:

• Benefit package 100% paid by PCF. Insurance company reimburses 100% of claims (Up to $500 per service a year, as well as individual family coverage).
• Full Dental coverage, including major dental and orthodontics.
• 4% RRSP matching before tax deductions, 100% vested on day 1.
• Paid week off during Winter Holidays.
• 20 paid vacation days and 5 paid sick days.
• Free virtual health and mental wellbeing sessions included in the plan for members and their dependents.
• A competitive salary and performance-based annual bonuses.
• Personal development opportunities and ability to work in a global environment.
• Work in a creative team with people full of passion for what they do.