Senior Designer, Combat

2704 WB Games Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Employee wellness program

Life and disability insurance

Retirement savings plan

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

Warner Bros. Discovery's NetherRealm Studios in Chicago seeks a Senior Combat Designer to shape core combat systems, balance, and character tuning for flagship games. You will implement and refine melee-based moves, navigation, and moment-to-moment gameplay, collaborating with art teams for cohesive visuals.

You’ll iterate with gameplay teams to achieve polish, analyze user feedback from usability tests, and contribute to R&D prototypes for new systems.

Qualifications

• 6+ years game design experience required.
• Shipped at least 2 titles with a strong emphasis in combat design and implementation.
• Direct experience in implementing combat mechanics (melee preferred) on at least 2 shipped titles.
• Strong programming or scripting knowledge and experience required.
• BA degree preferred or equivalent job experiences.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to game design with a focus on combat, balance, and tuning.
• Implement and maintain combat-centric systems and character move sets.
• Design and build combat experiences including navigation and moment-to-moment gameplay.
• Collaborate with art teams to define visual elements and polish gameplay.
• Iterate with gameplay teams to achieve high-polish combat.
• Analyze usability feedback and create playable prototypes for new systems.

Skills

Combat design

Melee combat

Game design

Programming/scripting

Communication

Education

BA degree preferred

Job description

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery… the stuff dreams are made of. Who We Are… When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next… From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive. The creative team that brought Mortal Kombat and Injustice to life is now NetherRealm Studios, part of the Warner Bros. Games family. With over 20 years of creation under our belts, NetherRealm’s mission remains the same: to create cutting edge entertainment and deliver industry leading tech, game art and overall gaming experiences. NetherRealm Studios is a collaborative and creative environment, constantly striving to up the ante on what is possible in interactive entertainment. Our team is comprised of dedicated professionals with years of experience who are at the forefront of the gaming industry. The passion and energy that made Mortal Kombat a reality is still on display every day in our offices, our hallways and most definitely the studio’s arcade room.

The Job

The Senior Combat Designer will be responsible for significant contributions to game design with a focus on combat, moment-to-moment gameplay, and character implementation. Alongside Lead and fellow Designers, the Senior Combat Designer is expected to implement and maintain combat-centric systems, game balance, and character tuning. The Daily Establishes and maintains design documentation for combat gameplay and systems. Designs and builds game experiences, including implementation of characters and their navigation, combat move sets, and moment to moment gameplay. Works closely with art teams to collaborate on and help define all associated visual elements. Iterate with gameplay teams to drive the implementation of character combat with the highest degree of polish. Analyze and incorporate user feedback from usability tests. Works with personnel on R&D efforts for new game systems and creates playable prototypes as required.

The Essentials

• 6+ years game design experience required.
• Shipped at least 2 titles with a strong emphasis in combat design and implementation.
• Direct experience in implementing combat mechanics (with a preference on melee-based combat) on at least 2 shipped titles.
• Strong programming or scripting knowledge and experience required.
• B.A. degree preferred or equivalent job experiences.
• Ability to work well under pressure and with deadlines.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Strong passion for action and fighting games with a focus on combat mechanics.
• Positive attitude and collaborative approach to problem solving.

How We Get Things Done…

This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/ along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD

Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law. If you’re a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.

Compensation and Benefits

In compliance with local law, we are disclosing the compensation, or a range thereof, for roles in locations where legally required. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, skill set, experience, and/or performance. Base pay is just one component of Warner Bros. Discovery’s total compensation package for employees. Pay Range: $89,600.00 - $166,400.00 salary per year. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards.

• health insurance coverage
• employee wellness program
• life and disability insurance
• retirement savings plan
• paid holidays and sick time
• vacation

Warner Bros. Discovery, a premier global media and entertainment company, offers audiences the world's most differentiated and complete portfolio of content, brands and franchises across television, film, streaming and gaming. The new company combines WarnerMedia's premium entertainment, sports and news assets with Discovery's leading non-fiction and international entertainment and sports businesses.