Senior Game Designer - Legends (Apex Legends)

Respawn Entertainment; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 127,700 - 190,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Paid sick leave

Medical/Dental/Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Equity options

Job summary

Respawn Entertainment in Madison, WI is looking for a Senior Game Designer to create innovative characters for Apex Legends. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of experience in game design and will work on character concepts from prototype to release.

In this role, you will collaborate with various disciplines, ensure quality through production, and provide high-quality feedback during playtests. Respawn offers a comprehensive benefits package and a chance to innovate within a vibrant gaming community.

Qualifications

• Experience on a live service game in character design.
• Strong technical and scripting abilities to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Work with other disciplines to create the concept for a character.
• Create a playtestable prototype by kitbashing existing assets.
• See the character through production, including tuning and polishing.
• Communicate the vision for the character to collaborators.
• Ensure a high quality release by bug fixing and balancing.
• Playtest frequently and provide high quality feedback.

Skills

Game design

Prototyping

Scripting

3D action game fundamentals

Feedback provision

Education

5+ years professional experience in game design

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.

Founded in 2010 by the original creators of the Call of Duty Franchise, Respawn was created with the philosophy that when talented people have creative freedom, they'll make extraordinary games that achieve the unexpected. From our roots as an indie studio to joining the expansive roster of studios at Electronic Arts, this remains our guiding principle. We truly love what we do and want to share our passion with players worldwide.

Our shipped titles include critically acclaimed multi-platform games Apex Legends, Titanfall, Titanfall 2, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond.

Join us for the opportunity to create groundbreaking games with some of the best developer talent in the industry. Apex Legends is looking for a Senior Game Designer who will help us create exciting and innovative new characters. You'll work on new Legends from early prototype through release. You have experience on a live service game in character design, and have strong enough technical and scripting abilities to work independently.

What You’ll Do

• Work with other disciplines to create the concept for a character
• Create a playtestable prototype by kitbashing existing assets
• See the character through production, including tuning, polishing, and writing robust, shippable script
• Hold and communicate the vision for the character to your collaborators in other departments
• Ensure a high quality release by bug fixing, balancing, and creating a thematically cohesive character
• Work with other designers to improve multiple parts of Apex
• Playtest frequently and provide high quality feedback

Ideally, You Also Will Have

• 5+ years professional experience as a game designer on a multiplayer game
• Experience in rapid prototyping and iterative design
• Understanding of game feel and polish
• Solid technical understanding of scripting and 3D action game fundamentals
• Strong track record in design and balance
• Played and formed a lot of opinions about many live games
• Strong opinions on how we could do better and a drive to accomplish them

Pay Transparency - North America

Compensation & 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) $114,300 - $156,200 CAD
• California (depending on location e.g. Los Angeles vs. San Francisco) $127,700 - $190,600 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.