Design

Overview

ZeniMax Online Studios is looking for an Associate Gameplay Designer to assist in the design and implementation of monetized features and products for The Elder Scrolls Online team. This designer will also be embedded on teams to help with the creation of non-monetized features to ensure we are rewarding players fairly.

Responsibilities

• Author and shepherd designs for new products and features from concept to delivery
• Use multiple toolsets to implement features that integrate seamlessly with other game systems
• Advise feature teams on best practices to ensure any monetization and business goals are effective and fair to the player
• Work with Product Management to execute on monetization strategies

Qualifications

• Institutional or work experience with designing game systems
• Experience playing MMORPGs and games as a service
• Knowledge of Microsoft office or similar products
• Experience with game development tools
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Willingness to learn how each part of a game system works and how it relates to the monetization of the game

Overview

ZeniMax Online Studios is looking for a Content Designer that will work with the content, world building, animation, audio, and gameplay teams to provide fun and well-conceived stories/locations for players to experience.

Responsibilities

• Design and script quests/gameplay for ESO, with a focus on storytelling and pacing
• Execute other game designs and design revisions when necessary
• Work in our proprietary toolset 

Qualifications

• Minimum 2+ years of experience working in a designer capacity
• Storytelling experience
• Excellent sense of 3D game space and game flow
• Experience with designing, building, and populating game levels
• Experience scripting or programming complex interactivity
• Excellent communication and documentation skills
• Experience with MMOs

Preferred Skills

• Experience with modular kits a plus
• Creative writing a plus
• Experience in MMO development
• Leadership and mentoring experience

Overview

ZeniMax Online Studios is looking for a Gameplay Designer to assist in the design and implementation of monetized features and products for The Elder Scrolls Online team. This designer will also be embedded on teams to help with the creation of non-monetized features to ensure we are rewarding players fairly.

Responsibilities

• Author and shepherd designs for new products and features from concept to delivery
• Use multiple toolsets to implement features that integrate seamlessly with other game systems
• Advise feature teams on best practices to ensure any monetization and business goals are effective and fair to the player
• Work with Product Management to execute on monetization strategies

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience developing and maintaining gameplay systems, game features, or monetized stores for a shipped game
• Experience playing MMORPGs and games as a service
• Experience with Microsoft office or similar products
• Experience with game development tools
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Familiarity with agile development
• Understanding of monetization practices of several types of games and products and how these practices interact with the game or product as a whole

Overview

ZeniMax Online Studios is seeking a Lead Gameplay Camera Designer to join our studio for the development of our next AAA game. This is a chance to join an experienced group of developers in pre-production for a new IP.

In this role, you will collaborate closely with the Lead Systems Designer and the Combat and Level Design teams to implement the unique camera vision of our game. The primary focus of the role will be the creation of in-game, player-controlled cameras and supporting tools and development pipelines. You will also push the boundaries of your craft by exploring the latest emerging trends in camera design and creating solutions for high-mobility gameplay.

Responsibilities

• Contribute in shaping the vision for gameplay cameras
• Design, set up and tune player-controlled gameplay cameras and camera systems
• Use script to set up camera behaviors. Layout and hook up camera action triggers in game
• Support player navigation, traversal, and combat gameplay with a keen eye for the combination of composition and usability
• Work closely with the combat and level design teams to help create a smooth and seamless player experience
• Mentor camera designers

Qualifications

• 2-5 years’ experience implementing in-game cameras
• Working knowledge of camera controls from various game engines, including some camera scripting experience
• Experience with 3D Studio Max (preferred) or similar 3D package
• Background or strong interest in cinematography or photography
• Competent animation and technical skill set
• The ideal candidate is a self-sufficient, technical problem solver
• Well-developed communication skills and strong work ethic

Preferred Skills

• 5+ years of industry experience, with at least one shipped AAA title
• Working experience as a camera designer in games, or comparable experience in film or television

Overview

ZeniMax Online Studios is seeking a Lead Level Designer focused on Live Service to join our studio for the development of our next AAA game. This is a chance to join an experienced group of developers in pre-production for a new IP.

This role will collaborate with the Lead Content Designer, Design Leads, & Lead Environment Artists to drive live service recurring content creation.

Responsibilities

• Driving content that supports and reinforces our retention vectors established by Creative Director and Lead Content Designer, and Lead Content Systems Designer.
• Collaborate with artists to build 3D gameplay spaces that provide a variety of player experiences.
• Facilitate and advocate for tools creation for live service content.
• Collaborate closely with the Lead Level Designer and Principal Quest Designer to build a holistic approach to level development across the project.
• Partner with MTX designers and Product Management to align content with live service plan.
• Leverage and communicate best practices for content creation against a live service model.
• Lead a team of level designers to create level layouts and flows in collaboration with writers, world builders, and artists
• Mentor more junior level designers and serve as a bastion for the discipline within the company
• Support the leadership team in establishing and role modeling positive processes
• Define quality standards for the team through hands on execution and documentation

Qualifications

• 5+ years related experience
• Experience in live service content creation
• Strong team leadership skills
• Deeply creative with broad gameplay design knowledge and expert level design proficiency
• Ability to drive collaboration and consensus across multiple disciplines
• Strong organization, verbal, and written communication skills
• Experience with combat, open world, or mission design in a AAA game
• Comfortable with a development schedule that is playtest-driven and focused on iteration and polish
• Strong methodology and problem-solving ability
• Previous work experience with 3D world and level building tools such as UE4, Unity, etc.
• Scripting experience, either in visual or other form

Overview

The Senior Combat designer works with the Combat Lead and the rest of the development team in the creation and maintenance of core combat mechanics, character abilities, and combat itemization. They are responsible for maintaining and improving the health of the combat experience including balance, bug fixing, system improvements, and development of new features.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Lead Combat Designer in developing and executing plans to improve and expand the combat experience
• Adhere to guidelines and restrictions for combat gameplay as defined by the Lead Combat Designer and Creative Director
• Take ownership of the development of specific combat features and improvement efforts, from ideation through delivery to players
• Maintain clear and concise documentation for all mechanics, balance, and systems they are responsible for
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the state of combat on the live servers and incorporate that knowledge into development effort
• Mentor other designers on the Combat team to improve their design, technical, and communication skills
• Actively seek internal and external feedback regarding the Combat product, and work with leadership to identify response actions
• Specific areas of responsibility include:                    ​
  • Maintenance and iteration of combat-centric systems such as character stats, progression, itemization rules, and player onboarding
  • Creation and maintenance of character mechanics, abilities, and items with an eye toward game balance
  • Proposing and shepherding the development of new gameplay systems

Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years combat design experience on a shipped or live online multiplayer game
• Deep expertise in action and RPG combat systems, and what makes them satisfying
• Experience designing for both a casual and competitive audience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to thrive within a collaborative environment, and both give and receive constructive feedback
• Ability to think logically and break down complex problems, with a strong focus on attention to detail
• Confidence working in an environment where specific processes are in place to maintain live game integrity
• Experience with scripting tools or languages
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word

Overview

ZeniMax Online Studios is looking for a Senior Content Designer that will work with the content, world building, animation, audio, VFX, and gameplay teams to provide fun and well-conceived stories/locations for players to experience.

Responsibilities

• Design and script quests and gameplay for Elder Scrolls Online, with a focus on storytelling and pacing
• Execute other game designs and design revisions when necessary
• Work in our proprietary toolset
• Mentor other content designers

Qualifications

• Minimum 4+ years of experience working in a designer capacity
• Experience telling interesting stories within a provided framework
• Ability to clearly exchange and encourage communication across a multi-discipline team
• Experience with designing, building, and populating game worlds
• Experience scripting or programming complex interactivity
• Excellent sense of 3D game space and game flow

Preferred Skills

• Experience with modular kits a plus
• Creative writing a plus
• Experience in MMO development
• Leadership and mentoring experience

Overview

Zenimax Online Studios is looking for a Senior Designer to focus on monetized features and products for The Elder Scrolls Online team. This designer would work with game and feature teams to ensure we create features and products that follow fair and effective monetization practices.

Responsibilities

• Author and shepherd designs for new, monetized products and features from concept to delivery
• Use multiple toolsets to implement features that integrate seamlessly with other game systems
• Advise feature teams on best practices to ensure any monetization and business goals are effective and fair to the player
• Work with Product Management to execute on monetization strategies
• Use live game metrics as well as current industry trends and practices to improve existing and future monetization practices

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience developing and maintaining gameplay systems, game features, or monetized stores for a shipped game
• Experience playing MMORPGs and games as a service
• Experience with Microsoft office or similar products
• Experience with game development tools
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Familiarity with agile development
• Understanding of monetization practices of several types of games and products and how these practices interact with the game or product as a whole

Overview

ZeniMax Online Studios is hiring a Systems Designer to work with the Systems Lead and the rest of the project team to support the creation and maintenance of core game mechanics and non-combat systems within Elder Scrolls Online.  They are responsible for player retention mechanisms and facilitating in-game social interactions, while adhering to team values and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Maintain numerous existing in-game systems as assigned (Examples: Achievements, Itemization, Crafting, Housing, Justice, etc)
• Develop expertise on all in-game systems behavior and interdependencies including proprietary toolsets
• Create and maintain documentation for new and existing systems
• Function effectively as a team member in collaborative, cross-disciplinary feature development teams
• Identify and develop opportunities for fair monetization and business practices
• Utilize business intelligence reporting to drive data informed decisions
• Provide, receive and integrate feedback on all aspects of game development
• Any other duties assigned by the Systems Lead, Lead Gameplay Designer and Creative Director

Qualifications

• 2+ years’ experience developing or maintaining systems in a shipped or live game
• Experience playing MMORPGs
• Proficient with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word or equivalent
• Technical writing familiarity with close attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with Agile development methodology
• Viewable portfolio of previous work