Design Director – Live Service FPS Mastery

Ripple Effect Studios; California (MO); On-site; USD 215,900 - 327,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off (3 weeks per year to start)

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

Ripple Effect Studios, part of Electronic Arts, is looking for a Game Design Director to lead the gameplay vision for the Battlefield franchise. This role requires extensive experience in directing AAA multiplayer titles and crafting enjoyable gaming experiences.

The ideal candidate will steer cross-disciplinary teams to create engaging gameplay and cultivate community engagement. Ripple Effect Studios offers a supportive environment, competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package for its employees.

Qualifications

• Experience directing multiplayer AAA FPS titles.
• Extensive background in live service operations.
• Design mastery of combat, gunplay, and progression systems.

Responsibilities

• Establish gameplay design vision and standards.
• Deliver fun, engaging, and balanced gameplay experiences.
• Partner with Creative and Product leadership to establish a prioritized roadmap.

Skills

Directing multiplayer AAA FPS titles

Live service operations

Design of combat systems

Game mode design expertise

Team leadership

Community communication

Clear communication

Frameworks and guardrails

Job description

Description & Requirements

Electronic Arts creates next-level entertainment experiences that inspire players and fans around the world. Here, everyone is part of the story. Part of a community that connects across the globe. A place where creativity thrives, new perspectives are invited, and ideas matter. A team where everyone makes play happen.

Description & Requirements

Electronic Arts creates next-level entertainment experiences that inspire players and fans around the world. Here, everyone is part of the story. Part of a community that connects across the globe. A place where creativity thrives, new perspectives are invited, and ideas matter. A team where everyone makes play happen.

Battlefield is a storied franchise renowned for uncompromising combat gameplay and all-out warfare for over two decades. With 100 million players and 5 billion hours played, Battlefield Studios is defining the future of the first-person shooter with the biggest launch in franchise history, Battlefield 6, and the beginning of a new era with Battlefield REDSEC.

United under the banner of Battlefield Studios, four world-class teams across Criterion, DICE, Motive, and Ripple Effect have come together to focus on the future of the franchise—a connected Battlefield universe filled with immersive experiences built on our unique DNA.

We are looking for a Game Design Director who defines and drives the overall gameplay direction, ensuring the quality of gameplay systems, mechanics, and player interactions within the game.

What You’ll Do

• Establish gameplay design vision and standards
• Deliver fun, engaging, and balanced gameplay experiences.
• Partner with Creative and Product leadership to establish a prioritized roadmap.
• Drive the design group to deliver high-quality features on schedule.
• Align design direction with established creative and product goals.
• Support the production team in effective feature scoping.
• Provide direction and mentorship to design leads and their teams.
• Establish repeatable design processes for rapid development in a live service environment.
• Implement a unified gameplay vision across all live service seasons.
• Empower creative leadership with clear design requirements for their respective areas.
  
  

What We’re Looking For

• Experience directing multiplayer AAA FPS titles.
• Extensive background in live service operations.
• Design mastery of combat, gunplay, and progression systems.
• Proficiency in game mode design (Battle Royale or similar).
• Success in leading design teams and directors.
• Experience communicating directly with player communities.
• Ability to drive design direction through clear communication and influence.
• Capability to provide frameworks and guardrails while allowing creative freedom.
• Skill in mobilizing multi-disciplinary lead groups toward a single direction.
• Effective collaboration with other discipline directors to deliver on game vision.
• Ability to translate high-level direction into actionable design priorities.
• Proficiency in translating player data and feedback into design pivots.
• Proven track record leading design during the live operation of a game.
  
  

Pay Transparency - North America

Compensation And Benefits

The ranges listed below are what EA in good faith expects to pay applicants for this role in these locations at the time of this posting. If you reside in a different location, a recruiter will advise on the applicable range and benefits. Pay offered will be determined based on a number of relevant business and candidate factors (e.g. education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, or business needs).

PAY RANGES

• British Columbia (depending on location e.g. Vancouver vs. Victoria) *$190,500 - $267,300 CAD
• California (depending on location e.g. Los Angeles vs. San Francisco) *$215,900 - $327,900 USD
  
  

Pay is just one part of the overall compensation at EA.

In the US, we offer a package of benefits including paid time off (3 weeks per year to start), 80 hours per year of sick time, 16 paid company holidays per year, 10 weeks paid time off to bond with baby, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.

For Canada, we offer a package of benefits including vacation (3 weeks per year to start), 10 days per year of sick time, paid top-up to EI/QPIP benefits up to 100% of base salary when you welcome a new child (12 weeks for maternity, and 4 weeks for parental/adoption leave), extended health/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.

About Electronic Arts

We’re proud to have an extensive portfolio of games and experiences, locations around the world, and opportunities across EA. We value adaptability, resilience, creativity, and curiosity. From leadership that brings out your potential, to creating space for learning and experimenting, we empower you to do great work and pursue opportunities for growth.

We adopt a holistic approach to our benefits programs, emphasizing physical, emotional, financial, career, and community wellness to support a balanced life. Our packages are tailored to meet local needs and may include healthcare coverage, mental well-being support, retirement savings, paid time off, family leaves, complimentary games, and more. We nurture environments where our teams can always bring their best to what they do.

Electronic Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will also consider employment qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law. EA also makes workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law.