Senior Game Designer

Ruckus Games; Frisco (TX); Remote; USD 85,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a talented Senior Game Designer to craft engaging gameplay experiences. This role involves designing game systems, collaborating with teams, and ensuring player satisfaction through innovative mechanics. If you have a passion for shooter games and a knack for creating compelling player experiences, this is your chance to shine in a flexible work environment that values creativity and collaboration. Join a forward-thinking company where your contributions will shape the future of gaming and keep players coming back for more.

Benefits

Work from home (anywhere in the US)

Flexible hours

3 weeks vacation

Competitive healthcare plans

401K with matching

Employee stock options

Qualifications

• 4-6 years of game design experience focusing on mission or shooter combat design.
• Proven experience with Unreal Engine, preferably version 5.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement game systems using Unreal Engine.
• Collaborate with designers and engineers to create engaging game mechanics.
• Balance and fine-tune game systems for player enjoyment.

Skills

Game Design Principles

Player Psychology

Blueprint

Balancing Game Systems

Shooter Mechanics

AI Behavior

C++

Tools

Unreal Engine

Job description

Senior Game Designer

Department: Design

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: United States

Compensation: $85,000 - $155,000 / year

Description

We’re looking for a generalist Senior Designer with technical chops. You’re a special breed of designer, one who has worked in developing great shooter gameplay, great missions or quests and also someone who loves player progression and other RPG mechanics. You should have an inherent sense of game feel including what makes a mission rewarding, exciting and all around fun to play for multiplayer groups. You are demonstrably proficient in Unreal Engine and have experience with blueprint. You’ll need to be able to create a sense of real attachment that has our players coming back night-after-night and dreading the time they have to log out. Action RPGs are your jam, and they’re best enjoyed with friends.

Please note this position requires long term ability to legally work within the United States.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement game systems using Unreal Engine, including gameplay mechanics, combat mechanics, player progression, and in-game economies.
• Develop weapon systems, including handling, recoil, firing rates, and damage models.
• Collaborate with other designers, artists, and engineers to create and iterate on game systems.
• Collaborate with level designers to create combat encounters that challenge and engage players.
• Develop and maintain design documentation for game systems.
• Balance and fine-tune game systems to ensure a fun and engaging player experience.
• Work with Community Manager to conduct playtests and gather feedback to identify areas for improvement.
• Work closely with animators and programmers to ensure smooth and responsive combat animations and behaviors.
• Stay current with industry trends and best practices in game design and Unreal Engine development.
• Other tasks as required by studio leadership.

Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum of 4-6 years of experience in game design, with a focus on mission design or shooter combat design.
• Proven experience with Unreal Engine (preferably Unreal Engine 5).

Required Skills

• Strong understanding of game design principles and player psychology.
• One shipped title of AAA quality or a breakout indy hit.
• Demonstrable expertise with Blueprint
• Worked with gameplay systems in a systems design or combat design capacity
• Experience with balancing game systems and economies.

Desired Skills

• Advanced knowledge of the Unreal Engine with at least three years of experience
• Strong understanding of shooter mechanics and player behavior.
• Knowledge of AI behavior and enemy design in shooter games.
• Experience with multiplayer shooter design and networked combat systems.
• Passion for shooter games and a deep understanding of various sub-genres.
• Experience in C++ specifically with Unreal Engine
• Worked closely with animation team in previous experience.
• Two shipped titles of AAA quality or breakout indy hits.

Benefits

• Work from home (anywhere in the US)!
• Flexible hours – 32 hour a week minimum / 50 hour maximum
• 3 weeks vacation each year, in addition to paid holidays and sick days
• Competitive healthcare plans including medical, dental, and vision
• Available Flexible Spending / Health Savings Accounts
• 401K with 100% matching up to 4% of your salary
• Employee stock options