Senior Combat Designer

Crystal Dynamics is constantly seeking the best gaming talent worldwide to add to our 30-plus year legacy of AAAA game development creating new and iconic franchises. We are committed to making great games with great people and living the dream while doing it.

Benefits for our full-time positions include, but are not limited to, a competitive regional salary, 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance options, professional development reimbursement, flexible hybrid on-site/off-site work opportunities, 12 company paid holidays, plus additional paid days in December when the studio is closed for holiday break, and the ability to accrue additional paid time-off.

Join us and shape the future of an amazing studio culture committed to creating award-winning franchises like Tomb Raider, the next Perfect Dark, and more! 

Come be a part of the future of Tomb Raider!

The Senior Combat Designer, reporting directly to the Gameplay Director, assumes responsibility for all combat design and collaborates closely with other designers who oversee various areas of game design. With a deep understanding of player controls and mechanics, they play a crucial role in crafting a cohesive and immersive game environment. Their focus is on enhancing the player experience through dynamic combat sequences, demonstrating a strong command of animation systems. The Senior Combat Designer's unique blend of mentorship, expertise in combat choreography, and commitment to continuous improvement sets them apart as a vital asset to the team. 

As a Senior Combat Designer, you will: 

• Oversee the conception and refinement of combat mechanics, ensuring they align with our game’s vision. 
• Assess and adjust critical combat elements, such as hit timings, damage calibrations, and character interactions. 
• Promote player-centric designs, ensuring combat elements are intuitive, engaging, and rewarding. 
• Enhance player experience and the integration of game systems by facilitating combat design initiatives. 
• Lead testing phases, incorporating feedback to improve and polish the combat experience. 
• Stay updated on trends and advancements in the gaming industry, particularly related to combat mechanics in action-adventure games. 
• Collaborate effectively with the engineering team to align technical capabilities and requirements. 
• Partner with the animation department, ensuring combat sequences are both fluid and impactful. 
• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation to support project development and ensure transparency throughout the process. 
• Utilize effective hiring and interviewing processes to identify top talent for our game development projects. 
• Contribute to production planning through skilled scheduling, accurate task estimation, and thorough feature development to optimize project timelines. 

To be considered for this role, we require the following:  

• Experience as a Senior Game Designer, who has contributed to the development of combat systems for a high-quality current-gen-console title. 
• Comprehensive understanding of combat game design principles, skillfully balancing gameplay elements for an optimal combat experience. This includes expertise in designing combat metrics, worldbuilding rules, and player controls for responsive interactions, as well as the ability to analyze, balance, pitch, and prototype mechanics for impactful and dynamic gameplay moments. 
• Hands-on involvement in combat design, with proficiency in design tools and scripting languages such as C++, Python, or blueprints. 
• Proficiency within Unreal or comparable proprietary game engine.
• Ability to lead projects or teams, demonstrating a strong willingness and aptitude for mentoring others, including people management responsibilities if necessary. 
• Communicate complex ideas with clarity and precision, facilitating collaboration across teams. 
• Strong aptitude for constructive feedback, dedicated follow-through, and a commitment to taking ownership in a dynamic game development environment. 

 Preference will be given to candidates who have:  

• Extensive experience in Unreal Engine.  

It'll be a bonus if you also have: 

• Experience in a leadership role on a successful shipped AAA title. 

The pay range for this role includes the annual base salary, not including bonus and the generous benefits package that Crystal Dynamics provides all full-time employees. Individual compensation is determined by work location within our approved states or regions, as well as additional factors, including job related skills, experience, and relevant education.