Principal Systems Designer, Weapons

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At Blizzard, we craft genre-defining games and legendary worlds for all to share.  Through unparalleled creativity and storytelling, we create immersive universes and iconic characters that are beloved across platforms, borders, backgrounds, and generations - only made possible by building a work environment that nurtures the artistry of game development and unleashes the aspirations of our people. 

As a systems designer, you will pitch and refine game ideas into simple and targeted executions that are exciting to play. We’re looking for someone with both a humble and supportive nature as well as a particularly strong eye for gameplay feel. By blending your creative vision with your ability to align teams on important goals, you will prioritize satisfying feedback and intuitive mechanics..

The ideal candidate will have proven experience designing features, core gameplay mechanics, and meta systems for modern AAA multiplayer titles.

This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work-from-home. The home studio for this role is Irvine, CA.

Responsibilities

• Analyze, pitch, prototype, and develop core gameplay mechanics and systems for an unannounced project.

• Partner with design and leadership in forming and evangelizing the design vision to the rest of the team.

• Collaborate with multiple disciplines, ensuring the correct partners are involved and informed throughout the development process.

• Lead playtest sessions, building a safe and productive environment for participants to share constructive and actionable feedback.

• Create one-page designs, content briefs, system outlines, and other communication tools necessary for succinctly and effectively communicating vision.

• Leverage technical experience to implement systems inside a proprietary design tool.

• Gather and provide effective and constructive feedback to the creative staff, providing suggestions and solutions for improvement when applicable.

• Ensure consistency, authenticity, and harmony across features, systems, and development efforts.

Requirements

• 12+ years of experience shipping AAA titles in systems design roles.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate design vision and to align vision with internal partners and an intended market.

• Exceptional ability to conceptualize, pitch, and implement game systems/features using various tools, technology, and visual language.

• Ability to direct, collaborate, and speak critically on gameplay systems, art, and content development.

• Direct experience with analyzing and integrating intricate designs with surrounding systems.

• Clear understanding of the creative and game development processes.

• Extensive experience with a variety of game genres.

• Extraordinary Demonstrated self-motivation and initiative.

Pluses

• Strong math skills.

• Experience working closely with UI/UX.

• Prior work experience or education in other (non-design) teams: art, programming, production, or audio.

• Experience designing systems that run equally well on console and PC.

Your Platform

Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via Battle.net®, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.

Our World

Activision Blizzard, Inc., is one of the world's largest and most successful interactive entertainment companies and is at the intersection of media, technology and entertainment. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty®, World of Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, Candy Crush™ and Bubble Witch™. Our combined entertainment network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users in 196 countries, making us the largest gaming network on the planet!

Our ability to build immersive and innovative worlds is only enhanced by diverse teams working in an inclusive environment.  We aspire to have a culture where everyone can thrive in order to connect and engage the world through epic entertainment. We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!

The videogame industry and therefore our business is fast-paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners.

We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply. 

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to accommodationrequests@activisionblizzard.com. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics. 

Rewards

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!  Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:

• Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;
• 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;
• Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;
• Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;
• If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company.  You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/.