Senior Combat Designer, Systems - World of Warcraft | Irvine, CA

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

$82K — $152K *
Consumer Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of game design experience or equivalent portfolio
  • Experience with game development best practices
  • Designed class abilities or combat mechanics in RPGs or MMOs
  • Familiarity with World of Warcraft classes and specializations
  • Proficient in industry-standard design tools and game engines

Responsibilities

  • Design new spells and talents to enhance class fantasies
  • Monitor player expectations and perceptions regarding class design
  • Coordinate with production teams to meet project deadlines
  • Collaborate with various teams to develop engaging combat features
  • Contribute to a culture of inclusion and diversity

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
  • 401(k) with company match and tuition reimbursement
  • Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave
  • Mental health and wellness programs, fitness initiatives
  • Relocation assistance for geographic moves if required
Full Job Description
Team Name:
World of Warcraft

Job Title:
Senior Combat Designer, Systems - World of Warcraft | Irvine, CA

Requisition ID:
R027923

Job Description:

Combat designers on World of Warcraft help to create the connection between the player and the world of Azeroth by working on the minute-to-minute gameplay and create fun and engaging abilities and mechanics to deliver engaging and fluid combat. As a Senior Combat Designer for the World of Warcraft team, you must have a strong aptitude for critical thinking and investigation, boundless creativity, a strong visual aesthetic, and a passion and recognition for what makes World of Warcraft classes and combat interesting. You will contribute to the ongoing development of player spells, talents, game balance and tuning, and any related systems.

This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work-from-home. The potential home studio for this role is Irvine, CA.

What you bring to the table:

Priorities can often change in a fast-paced live service environment like ours, so this role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:
  • Build upon existing class fantasies by designing new and interesting spells and talents for players to use in various combat situations.
  • Stay current of player expectations, perceptions, and behaviors with regards to class design and game balance.
  • Work closely with the production team to ensure timely completion of deliverables.
  • Collaborate with fellow designers, producers, artists, sound designers, and engineers to create interesting and fun spells and talents.
  • Participate in and contribute to a culture of inclusion and diversity.


Minimum Requirements:

Experience:
  • 8+ years of game design experience or a portfolio demonstrating equivalent experience.
  • Demonstrated experience with game development best practices in a professional or academic setting.
  • Experience designing class abilities or combat mechanics in open world RPG's or MMO's.


Knowledge & Skills:
  • Familiarity with World of Warcraft classes and specializations.
  • Proficient knowledge with industry standard tools such as Excel, game engines, and other proprietary tools required.
  • Creative thinker who enjoys finding fun solutions to design problems.
  • Ability to break down what makes combat in World of Warcraft fun, accessible, and engaging.
  • Proven experience working collaboratively cross-functionally.


Extra Points:
  • Excellent communication skills that can be used for comprehensive documentation.
  • Knowledge, understanding, and familiarity with the Warcraft Universe and Lore.
  • The ability to consider multiple, conflicting viewpoints and make the best overall decision.


Application Materials
  • Resume
  • Cover Letters are not required but highly encouraged. Please include:
    • A bit about you (fun facts, hobbies... tell us about you!)
    • Why you're interested in working on World of Warcraft
    • What excites you about game design


Rewards

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for 'Every World' - we've got our employees covered! Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:
  • Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;
  • 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;
  • Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;
  • Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;
  • If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.


Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company. You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/.

In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $82,240.00 - $152,160.00 Annual. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role's range details for your local geography during the hiring process. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable.

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