Technical Game Designer

Job Title:

Requisition ID:

Job Description:

Sledgehammer Games is a leading developer in the video game industry, best known for its work on the Call of Duty franchise. Since our inception in 2009, the studio has delivered iconic titles like including Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Call of Duty: WWII (2017), and, most recently, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.

As industry leaders in first-person shooter development, our commitment to excellence is reflected in every detail of our games, from highly polished multiplayer experiences to emotionally engaging single-player campaigns. At Sledgehammer Games, we believe in pushing boundaries, redefining the possibilities of interactive storytelling, and setting new standards for visual and gameplay fidelity. Together, we aim to deliver world-class gaming content that continues to set the bar for quality, innovation, and player engagement.

We are seeking a passionate and creative Technical Game Designer to join our team. This role will focus heavily on scripting multiplayer gameplay systems and will require collaboration with cross-functional teams, (particularly gameplay engineers & animation). The ideal candidate will have a passion for FPS games, combat systems and mobility mechanics, as well as a strong ability to quickly prototype and iterate on gameplay features based on playtest feedback.

Key Responsibilities:

Scripting Gameplay Systems: Develop and maintain multiplayer gameplay systems, with an emphasis on weapons, combat, and movement. 

• Collaboration: Work closely with other departments, especially gameplay engineering and animation, to implement and refine systems from MVP prototype all the way to final. 

• Prototyping: Take a creative approach to quickly prototype systems, mechanics, and features. Deliver playable prototypes that clearly demonstrate new gameplay concepts and iterate on them rapidly.

• Iteration and Playtesting: Participate in playtesting, gather valuable feedback, and iterate on systems accordingly. Analyze and act on both qualitative and quantitative feedback to refine and improve gameplay.

• Combat and Movement Focus: Create engaging multiplayer combat systems and fluid movement mechanics that feel responsive, intuitive, and rewarding.

• Problem Solving: Address gameplay challenges by proposing innovative solutions and ensuring systems are scalable and maintainable. Work with engineers to optimize and troubleshoot complex systems.

• Documentation and Communication: Document gameplay mechanics, systems, and features clearly for internal use, ensuring that design decisions are well communicated to the team.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience as a multiplayer gameplay designer or similar role (scripter/programmer), with a focus on scripting and system implementation.

• Technical Skills: Strong scripting abilities in languages like Python, Lua, or proprietary game scripting languages. 

• Collaboration & Communication: Proven ability to work effectively in cross-disciplinary teams. Strong communication and collaboration skills with designers, engineers, and other departments.

• Prototyping: Ability to quickly create and iterate on representative prototypes, effectively testing and refining gameplay ideas to find fun and engaging mechanics.

• Self-Motivation & Reliability: Strong sense of ownership over assigned tasks with an ability to manage priorities effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced development environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledgeable and passionate about the multiplayer FPS genre.

• Experience working on combat-heavy or action-oriented FPS games.

• Makes their opinions known and is an active contributor to design discussions. 

• Special Bonus Points: 

  • Knows the Call of Duty Franchise well. 

  • Familiarity with LUA. 

  • Some amount of experience with Level Design.