Sr Game Designer - Card Design - Magic: The Gathering - Arena Alchemy

At Wizards of the Coast, we connect people around the world through play and imagination. From our genre-defining games like Magic: The Gathering® and Dungeons & Dragons® to our growing multiverse, we continue to innovate and build new ways to foster friendship and connection. That’s where you come in!

Are you passionate about card games and have an interest in designing balanced and engaging digital gameplay experiences? Wizards of the Coast is seeking candidates for our senior card design role working on Magic: The Gathering – Arena. This role will be the driving force behind the design and balance of our digital only Alchemy cards and card-sets, ensuring a fun and competitive environment for players. As a key member of our team, the Sr. Card Designer will collaborate closely with Studio X, lead internal playtests, to manage and analyze playable Arena gameplay formats. If you have a strong background in game design, a deep understanding of Magic: The Gathering, and excellent leadership skills, we want to hear from you!

What You'll Do:

The role will serve as the lead for the Alchemy digital card design and card-set balancing. These responsibilities will include:

Alchemy Design

• Collaborate with others while owning the vision for Alchemy cards and card-sets.
• Proactively foster a culture of healthy collaboration and feedback.
• Coordinate with our design partners at Studio X.
• Use and contribute to our internal card database.
• Analyze, monitor & report the state of all playable formats on Arena.
• Champion ongoing gameplay balancing changes (bans, nerfs, buffs) based on data and game design knowledge to ensure delightful compelling gameplay.
• Supervise upcoming sets for cards requiring special handling (pre-bans, etc.)

Deck construction & balance

• Lead assembly of decks for pre-configured deck sales, pre-configured events, New Player Experience, etc.
• Drive internal playtests to improve format balance.
• Where needed & useful, assist with event design, analysis, implementation, player experience design, etc.

What You'll Bring:

• Proven professional experience with gameplay tuning and working cross-disciplinarily on game teams.
• Familiarity and affinity for Magic: The Gathering’s Arena
• Strong player-centric design to ensure we delight an ever-expanding, diverse audience of passionate players.
• Familiar & skilled at designing balanced gameplay.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
• A curiosity about developing positive relationships with members of Studio X and build a strong understanding of their processes.
• A passion for facilitating and leading small groups effectively.

Nice to Haves:

• Experience working on card games as a card designer, or a similarly gameplay systems design role.
• Experience with Magic: The Gathering’s Arena’s gameplay balancing and meta-game and other environments and incarnations.

Compensation Range, Currency USD:

• Starting Pay Range: $108,222

• Pay Range End: $182,780

In compliance with local law, we are disclosing the compensation range for this role. The range listed is just one component of Wizards of the Coast’s total compensation package for employees. Employees may also be eligible for annual and long-term incentives. In addition, Wizards of the Coast provides a variety of benefits to employees. Here’s a look at what your benefits package may include: Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance, Paid Vacation Time & Holidays, Generous 401(k) match, Paid Parental Leave, Volunteer Program, Employee Giving & Matching Gifts Programs, Tuition Reimbursement, Product Discounts, and more.

We are an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer

Wizards is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. We are committed to making all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and the requirements for satisfactory performance in this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of the duties, responsibilities, or requirements of the position.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. If you are selected to move forward in our application process and need to request an accommodation, please let your recruiter or coordinator know.

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