Combat Designer

Description

NetherRealm Studios in Chicago is seeking a Designer who will be responsible for designing and implementing the game experience.

The Designer is responsible for implementing navigation and combat mechanics, tuning gameplay, and generating AI behaviors.

The position works closely with the Lead Game Designer to ensure that the overall vision is being properly communicated and executed within game. 

Within the studio, the Designer collaborates on design goals with the Lead Designer and the Creative Director. This includes generating game proposals, identifying challenges, and developing strategic responses to market needs.

• Establishes design schedules and creates working design documents.
• Designs and scripts game experiences
• Define and script enemy AI using in-house editor
• Creates AI behavior specs.
• Play and evaluate combat constantly, iterating and re-doing work to reach a high degree of polish.
• Analyze and incorporates user feedback from consumer usability tests.
• Works with personnel on R&D efforts for new game systems and creates playable prototypes as required.
• Identifies and establishes required high impact experiences to ensure timely delivery of promotional material.
• Participates in regular, hands-on interaction with Team members to ensure that the concepts and content of assigned games meet design requirements.
• Establish and maintain good relationships with all team members and be able to work out solutions to problems in an effective, respectful manner.
• Coordinates and liaises with all necessary departments and divisions to facilitate execution of projects and materials in a professional and client-centric manner.This includes keeping Producer and other Leads apprised of games status.
• Develops strong relationships to establish and maintain a reliable and timely flow of information and materials to all parties as necessary.

• B.A. degree preferred or equivalent job experience.
• 2 – 5 of years game design experience required.
• Shipped at least one title. Combat heavy games preferred
• Passion for action and fighting games with a focus on combat mechanics.
• Direct experience in implementing navigation and/or combat mechanics (with a preference on melee based combat) in at least 1 shipped title.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work well under pressure and with deadlines.
• Strong interest in computer and video games.
• Programming or scripting experience prefered
• Unreal 3 experience preferred.