Staff Hero Designer

The role

This role focuses on combat, traversal, and 3Cs for an upcoming project. The designer will drive the creative vision and execution for playable hero characters through technical implementation and tuning.

What you will do

• Primary ownership of player character systems for one or more playable characters.
• Prototype, implement, and iterate on Hero combat and non-combat gameplay using proprietary tools.
• Collaborate with Gameplay Programming and Animation partners.
• Provide creative leadership for development pods of cross-discipline contributors.
• Collaborate with Mission Designers and Combat Designers to integrate player work.
• Work with Systems Designers, Gameplay Programmers, and UI/UX team on progression systems.
• Support player-driven storytelling through player mechanics and interactive experiences.
• Write and update player system documentation and tutorial videos.
• Review player work in progress and drive iteration and quality.
• Mentor and coach other Hero Designers.

Required qualifications

• Eight or more years of professional game design experience.
• At least one shipped title as a primary design owner of player combat and / or overall player character systems.
• Proven expertise in creating, tuning, and polishing high-quality player movement, combat, controls, and gameplay balance.
• Deep expertise in the current state and history of design craft, especially 3rd person narrative games.
• High proficiency with modern game engines, such as Unreal or proprietary engines.
• Proven experience in scripting, prototyping, and iterating gameplay systems directly.
• Proven ability to implement, iterate, and tune high-quality game feel.
• Extremely strong skills in written, verbal, and visual communication across disciplines.
• Bachelors degree or equivalent.
• Intermediate knowledge and experience with level editing tools and scripting (Unreal Engine, Unity, or similar editors).
• Intermediate knowledge of Maya or other major 3D modeling programs.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Miro, Confluence or equivalent office software.

Nice to have

• Experience in 3D layout
• Experience with animation tools or programming languages

Benefits

• medical
• dental
• vision
• matching 401(k)
• paid time off
• wellness program
• employee discounts for Sony products
• may be eligible for a bonus package

Before you apply

• Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles)

About the company

Insomniac is looking for a Staff level Hero Designer for an upcoming project.