Lead Combat Designer

Summary

Join nDreams Studio Elevation, a VR game developer, as a Lead Designer to create immersive and dynamic combat sequences for their VR games. You will play a key role in crafting the combat experience, working closely with the design director, programmers, and animators to fine-tune combat systems. This is a 12-month fixed-term contract, full-time (37.5 hours per week), fully remote within the UK, with a competitive salary based on experience.

Requirements

• 5+ years’ experience in the games industry as a game designer, with a specific focus on combat design
• Extensive knowledge of Unreal
• Rich understanding of how to create challenging combat encounters for different player skill levels and familiarities
• Comprehensive understanding of combat game design principles. Able to skillfully balance gameplay elements with an optimal combat experience
• Ability to work well independently and within a team
• Excellent written and verbal communication, documentation skills and the ability to convey abstract concepts

Responsibilities

• Lead the design implementation and balancing of core combat systems
• Define combat metrics, working with level designers to shape venues for combat that adhere to and reinforce those metrics
• Promote player-centric designs, ensuring combat elements are intuitive, engaging, and rewarding
• Proactively champion the combat design and its requirements throughout the team
• Coordinate the work of designers, working with production to define milestones and assign tasks
• Drive innovation in combat design, exploring new ideas and approaches to create a unique and memorable combat experience
• Create and maintain detailed design documentation for combat features and systems
• Collaborate closely with animators, gameplay programmers, and other teams to prototype and implement combat features

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of what does and doesn't work in VR compared to flatscreen games
• Willingness to go hands-on in engine to tune combat systems to prove out a design
• Awareness of AI systems and approaches to effectively liaise with technical teams

Benefits

• Flexible hours
• Duvets days
• Your birthday off
• Dedicated personal development time and support
• Regular socials
• Excellent holiday offering
• Pension scheme
• Health insurance
• Life cover