Lead Level Designer - 2K Marin

Description

Lead Level Designer - 2K Marin

The lead level designer is responsible for the management, quality and on-time delivery of several levels and missions in the multi-SKU tactical shooter game XCOM. As a lead level designer, you report to the project’s Lead Level Designer, and work directly with the Lead Environment Arist, Lead Modeler, Lead Narrative Designer, a team of experienced level designers and the Design Director to develop interesting, exciting and well-paced levels that express the core of the game’s design and themes.

RESPONSIBILITIES

· Manage, direct, mentor and inspire a group of level designers in the execution of their gameplay content, on a large, multiple level, multi-SKU title.

· As a member of the design leadership, help set creative goals for levels and work with partners to ensure those goals are being met.

· Provide daily feedback and direction on levels to allow for constant, rapid iteration by level designers.

· Build and maintain the level schedule in conjunction with the design and project goals.

· Coordinate with the production group to maintain a consistent rate of output, schedule current and future tasks, and estimate time costs associated with deliverables.

· Collaborate with other leads and directors in the development and completion of levels.

· Suggest creative new ideas and concepts to provide experiential diversity throughout the game.

· Take part in weekly leads meetings to ensure project priorities are aligned across disciplines.

· Help build stronger more efficient process/pipelines for level group, including improving current workflow and helping to develop new tools.

· Represent a project-focus to the level design team to keep priorities among level designers in line with the project’s priorities.

· Contribute as a member of the design team to discussions covering feature design, event scripting, high concept and product positioning, narrative and backstory, systems tuning and game balance.

· Create and maintain internal design documentation for levels, and document and disseminate level design best practices.

· Coordinate and disseminate feedback from design leads, focus tests and the QA group.

· Play both internal and competing products regularly and provide comparative analysis.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and experience:

·        Previous experience with a gameplay scripting language or high level programming language.

·        At least two shipped titles.

·        Experience leading a team on at least one shipped current generation console title.

·        Experience working with last and current generation game console technology, including performance analysis and optimization.

·        Unreal Engine experience a plus.

Desired Skills / Extras

Skills:

· Very strong creative and problem solving skills.

· Ability to both give and take direction.

· An understanding of how to prioritize work according to a project-level focus.

· Strong communication and project management skills.

· Experience managing creative employees.

· Commitment to ethical and employee growth-related managerial style.

· Ability to learn new software tools and technologies.

· Ability to work in a large team setting, under deadlines and time constraints.

About 2K Games:

Founded in 2005, 2K develops and publishes interactive entertainment software games for the console, PC, and handheld gaming systems through its three divisions: 2K Games, 2K Sports, and 2K Play. 2K publishes titles in today's most popular gaming genres, including first-person shooters, action, role-playing, real-time strategy, sports, casual, and family entertainment.

The 2K label has some of the most talented development studios in the world today, including Firaxis Games, Visual Concepts, Irrational Games, 2K Marin, 2K Czech, Cat Daddy Games, and 2K China. Some of the hit titles in 2K's lineup include the critically-praised BioShock® and BioShock®2, Sid Meier's Civilization® series; the #1 rated and #1 selling basketball franchise NBA® 2K10; and the multi-million unit selling hit Carnival Games.

At 2K our goal is simple: Make games that are the best in the genre and have fun doing it. 2K is proudly developing a series of critically acclaimed games. Owned by Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), 2K is a successful, stable publishing label that produces high-quality titles every year.

So what does 2K have to offer? How about generous salaries, full medical and dental benefits, a 401k plan, and a fun work environment. 2K believes everyone plays a significant role in the development process, meaning all team members contribute their ideas and are important to the success of the game. We are looking for people who are passionate about games. 2K is located in beautiful Novato, California, near mountain bike trails and beaches, about 25 minutes north of San Francisco. That's right - you can make great games, be active outdoors and soak up culture in one of the world’s most beautiful cities all at the same time!

Join our team today!

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