Stardock is currently seeking a talented Senior Game Designer to join our team and play an important role in shaping and executing the vision for our upcoming unannounced game title. The ideal candidate has a deep passion for strategy and simulation games and is comfortable with all levels of ownership: from personally designing features to providing high-level feedback and mentorship to other members of the Design team. This is a salaried, full-time position at our Plymouth, Michigan office, with relocation assistance available.
Primary Responsibilities Include:
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Create and translate high-level product goals into engaging and innovative game mechanics and player stories in collaboration with the Production, Art, Engineering, and Design teams.
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Collaborate closely with other Senior Game Designers and the Creative Director to ensure cohesive and innovative game design across all project elements.
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Brainstorm, develop ideas, create worlds, and contribute to the design of a new AAA strategy/simulation game.
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Author, maintain, and interpret comprehensive Game Design Documents.
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Script complex events, AI behaviors, and intricate game mechanics utilizing in-house tools and editors and Unreal Engine.
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Oversee and maintain gameplay balance, swiftly addressing and resolving gameplay bugs.
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Leverage generative AI tools to enhance productivity and streamline design workflows, ensuring efficient development processes.
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Mentor and guide Associate Designers, fostering their growth and development.
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Advocate for the Design team, ensuring their needs and ideas are effectively communicated.
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Engage with our player base, evaluating and incorporating valuable feedback and suggestions.
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Stay abreast of trends and innovations in PC strategy games, integrating best practices into our designs.
Education and/or Experience Desired:
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Bachelor's Degree in Game Design, Computer Science or relevant field or equivalent experience.
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Proven experience with at least one shipped AAA game title.
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Proven experience with at least one shipped strategy or simulation game.
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Passion for PC strategy and simulation games and an understanding of their mechanics.
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Broad familiarity and interest in history, anthropology, science fiction.
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Excellent creative writing and communication skills, both written and verbal.
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Demonstrated ability to champion design ideas and inspire enthusiasm in others.
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Experience managing multiple tasks simultaneously.
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Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new, often proprietary technology and tools.
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Sense of ownership and responsibility in project work.
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Experience with LUA or similar scripting languages.
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Experience reading, implementing, and maintaining data with XML or similar.
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Established understanding of existing Stardock franchises preferred (i.e. Sins of a Solar Empire, Galactic Civilizations, etc.).
Bonuses:
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Experience working on a game created in Unreal Engine.
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Experience with/creating Unreal Engine Blueprints.