Combat Designer (Senior+)
Summary
Velan Studios is hiring a Senior+ Combat Designer to drive early-stage combat design and implementation for a new third-person shooter, defining character combat and traversal sets, enemy/ally/boss behaviors, and leading a small cross-discipline sub-team in partnership with engineering, animation, VFX, and audio.
From dodgeball in the streets to racetracks in your living room, we've always been more interested in asking "what if?" than following a roadmap. Whether we're dreaming up a chaotic game of hide & seek in the dark or putting a legendary space fox back in the pilot's seat, that inventor's mindset runs through everything we do. We make games for people who appreciate craft and a little bit of magic. If you're curious, you'll be in good company.
Are you a designer who obsesses over player traversal, intuitive camera controls, and shooter-based combat? Do you have experience collaborating with VFX artists and animators to deliver responsive, engaging and intuitive combat mechanics? If so, we’d love to hear from you about helping us work on an exciting new third-person shooter concept.
Velan Studios is entering pre-production on this forthcoming title, and we are looking for an experienced Combat Designer who can drive critical early-stage design decisions and then lead the implementation of compelling combat design throughout the project.
Responsibilities
- Create compelling combat design and traversal sets for playable characters
- Define the combat behaviors of enemies, allies, and bosses
- Collaborate closely in cross-discipline teams with artists, animators, audio designers, and gameplay programmers
- Implement key systems in partnership with engineering teams
- Work closely as a team lead with the Game Director to shape and implement compelling combat designs.
Requirements
- 5+ years of design experience
- At least one shipped title as a combat designer in action, shooter genres
- Ability to lead a small cross discipline sub team on a mid- or large-size development project.
- General scripting proficiency
- Solid cross-disciplinary communication skills
Big Plusses - Experience in 3rd person controller-based shooter combat in an action-adventure setting
- Experience designing co-op gameplay
- Experience with quick initial gameplay prototyping to prove/disprove direction
This is a hybrid or onsite position. Hybrid is 3 days a week in studio - Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Our studios are located in Troy, NY & Toronto, ON.
The salary for this position is typically within the range specified below per year. Please note that the actual base pay may vary based on factors such as your qualifications, skills, experience, and other relevant considerations.
US Salary Range:
- Senior $80,000. -$115,000. USD
- Specialist $100,000. - $130,000. US
Canada Salary Range:
- Senior $75,000. - $110,000. CAD
- Specialist $95,000. - $125,000. CAD
Velan Studios is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about a role, but your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to submit a General Application. Velan Studios is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion, diversity, and providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. We seek to create a work culture that matches the diversity of our players.
Skills
As published by workable · 3 questions
Basics
First name, Last name, Email, Phone, Address, Resume, Cover letter, Please use this field to upload portfolio files, Please provide a link to your portfolio, We are glad you are interested in joining the Velan Studios team. Please read the following statement carefully before you agree and submit this application: Velan Studios, in considering my application for employment, may verify the information set forth on this application and obtain additional background information relating to my background. I authorize all persons, schools, companies and corporations to supply any information concerning my background. I certify that the information contained in this application is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand and agree to all of the following items: (1) Misrepresentation or omission of material information from my employment application and/or resume submitted to Velan Studios may result in rejection of my application or, if hired, termination. (2) Nothing contained in my application for employment, or conveyed during any interview that may be granted, is intended to create a contract of employment with Velan Studios. Please type your name in the field below to agree to and acknowledge this statement:
Pick from a list (3)
- Are you authorized to work for employers in the United States or Canada without requiring visa sponsorship now or in the future?
- Are you able to work onsite or hybrid (3 days a week in office) from our studio in Toronto, ON or Troy, NY?
- We are hiring for multiple positions with different experience level requirements. Please share how many years of professional game development experience you have.