Design

Overview

ZeniMax Online Studios is seeking a Senior Technical 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.

This role will serve under the Lead Systems Designer to architect and implement gameplay systems and mechanics, and hone them to industry-leading quality. Aside from designing technically complex gameplay systems, a developer in this role will collaborate closely with project engineers, artists, animators, and other designers to bring gameplay to life.

Qualifications

• Expertise in programming or developing in a visual scripting system
• Solid gameplay design fundamentals with an understanding of what makes gameplay fun
• Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-discipline development environment
• Familiarity with the many types of assets from which a game is built
• Comfortable with a development schedule that is playtest-driven and focused on iteration and polish
• Strong understanding of the discrete elements game systems are built from, and the ability to problem solve both holistically and on a per-component basis
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English required
• An online portfolio which clearly demonstrates relevant work experience

Responsibilities

• Design and create modular gameplay components which will be used to propagate gameplay features throughout the world
• Write script components to facilitate gameplay implementation in an entity component system (ECS) based engine
• Collaborate with feature teams on the designs of systems and mechanics with a focus on usability and implementation approach
• Help establish script implementation standards and best practices
• Work with engineers on expanding the capabilities of the scripting system
• Contribute script and gameplay modules to shared libraries

Preferred Skills

• Experience developing Open World games
• Familiarity with third-person action or roleplaying games
• Experience in animation, UI programming, creating or using shaders, or FX systems
• Strong communication skills

Overview

Zenimax Online is looking for a highly motivated and experienced senior writer to collaborate with our talented team of creative professionals to bring the characters and stories of the Elder Scrolls Online to life.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable and strong skills as a writer and editor.
• 3+ years of writing and/or narrative design experience.
• Outstanding written and verbal communications skills.
• Excellent narrative and dialog writing skills.
• Strong ability to collaborate and thrive as part of a creative team.
• Ability to work independently in a highly confidential environment.
• A passion for games and crafting compelling stories.
• Plays and understands modern video games, especially MMOs.

Portfolio: Please include links to your work and clearly indicate your contributions, as well as provide a writing sample demonstrating your talent and proficiency with dialogue and storytelling. Resumes without writing samples will not be considered.

Responsibilities

• Work with other writers and content designers to create compelling characters and stories in the game environment.
• Write and iterate on compelling dialogue for characters.
• Write and edit compelling quest, lore, and story text.
• Write in-game backstories for the world, its locations, and its inhabitants.
• Assure fictional consistency utilizing established lore for the Elder Scrolls.
• Complete all work to required specifications and quality by established deadlines.
• Quickly master the proprietary, in-game writing/editing tool.
• Guide and mentor other team members.
• Perform other writing and fiction duties that may be assigned by Lead Writer.

Overview

ZeniMax Online Studios is seeking a Senior Systems 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.

This role will serve under the Lead Systems Designer to build gameplay systems and mechanics, and hone them to industry-leading quality. A developer in this role will serve as a project specialist in one or more areas of systems design and will collaborate with leads across all development disciplines in creating gameplay systems within their specialty.

Qualifications

• Deeply creative with a great sense of what makes gameplay fun
• Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-discipline development environment
• Expert proficiency integrating imagery and text to deliver thorough, easy to understand design documents
• Comfortable with a development schedule that is playtest-driven and focused on iteration and polish
• Strong understanding of the discrete elements game systems are built from, and the ability to problem solve both holistically and on a per-component basis
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
• Working knowledge of scripting or programming
• An online portfolio which clearly demonstrates relevant work experience

Responsibilities

• Work with the Lead Systems Designer developing holistic gameplay systems aimed at a fluid, immersive player experience
• Design, create, and maintain documentation for gameplay systems and mechanics
• Focus and grow into a project specialist in one or more of the following areas of systems design:
• Player movement and controls
• Player abilities
• Enemy behaviors and capabilities
• Progression systems
• Weapon and gear design
• Roleplaying systems
• Puzzles and mini-games
• Collaborate with all development disciplines to bring gameplay systems from early vision to industry-shaping final implementation
• Mentor systems designers and help them grow in their careers

Preferred Skills

• Experience developing Open World games
• Experience in industrial or product design
• Strong public speaking skills

Overview

ZeniMax Online Studios is seeking a Lead Level 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.

This role will collaborate with the Creative Director, Lead Gameplay Designer, Lead Environment Artist and Art Director to develop the foundations of worldbuilding for a new IP. This will include the creation of well-composed, functional and fun 3D spaces that challenge existing norms and establish a composition that will serve as the foundation for a growing Environment team.

Qualifications

• Deeply creative with a great sense of what makes a game or level fun
• Expert level proficiency within Photoshop/Illustrator, and other 3rd party software used in level layout and 2D design
• 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.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English required
• Must submit work samples - finished levels and/or blockout levels demonstrating composition and gameplay

Responsibilities

• Work with the Lead Gameplay Designer to establish best practices for spatial design, flow and world dynamics
• Lead your team to create level layouts using simplified geometry in collaboration with quest designers, writers, and artists
• Collaborate with all development disciplines to shepherd various level design constructs through the iterative process, from inception to final
• Mentor more junior level designers and serve as a bastion for the discipline within the company

Preferred Skills

• Technical background in programming or scripting
• Background in Architectural Design
• Experience developing Open World games
• Passion for creating rich narrative experiences

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 Art Director, Lead 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 development pipelines. You will also push the boundaries of your craft by exploring the latest emerging trends and creating solutions hand-tailored to player and business needs.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• 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 with a keen eye for the combination of composition and usability.
• Work closely with the combat and level teams to help create a smooth and seamless player experience.

Preferred Skills

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

Overview

The Senior Product Manager will analyze data and work with development teams to create features and experiences that drive engagement and monetization for Elder Scrolls Online. Successful candidates will have a passion for good gameplay paired with successful monetization strategies, the ability to parse and act on data, and a drive for simple, flexible, and scalable gaming systems. We are seeking a self-starter who relishes the challenge of finding innovative solutions to enhancing KPIs. This individual is player-focused; but also understands and can deliver on business goals, while maintaining the creative vision.

If you love digging into data, working with talented cross-discipline teams, and delivering best-in-class experiences to players, this position may be right for you.

Qualifications

• 3+ years as a monetization designer/product manager or similar role in the gaming industry of a live title with MTX goals
• Excellent knowledge of the monetization strategies and tactics of both past titles and emerging trends
• Must be an avid game player
• Outstanding analytical and formal thinking, able to break problems down in their key variables and identify the relations between them
• Able to speak to the prioritization of features by leveraging data
• Knowledge and understanding of game design fundamentals
• Strong understanding of the content creation pipelines
• Ability to work independently and as part of a deeply collaborative team
• Excellent organization skills, detail-oriented, and able to multi-task priorities under pressure
• Strong communication, writing, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and confidential environment
• Passion for making great game
• Proficient with project and communication tools such as Jira, Hansoft, Office, etc…
• Proficient with industry standard reporting and game management tools such as Tableau and Delta DNA

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with design and management teams to define target KPI's for monetization, engagement, and retention mechanics
• Identify, prioritize, and enact features/strategies/tactics, then analyze and memorialize the results
• Work with our BI team to analyze metrics, create reports which show the performing/underperforming aspects of the game economic model, why, and provide solutions to management to improve KPIs and overall LTV
• Provide weekly, monthly, quarterly status summaries to facilitate discussions around tactical improvements
• Drive new initiatives, events, and game features that monetize and re-engage players
• Contribute to the design of features and systems by providing guidance on their impact on player behavior and the economy
• Strong sensitivity to gameplay and social game design, understanding how to build needs and emotions in the context of a game
• Maintaining a deep knowledge of player behavior within the game across multiple player types, and implement selling strategies targeting each of the different tiers
• Review reporting on in-game currency usage, earning and purchasing, and manage and balance currency types
• Participate in forecasting efforts to ensure calendar events and product releases align with monthly targets

Overview

The Senior Systems Designer works 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.  They are responsible for mechanisms which retain players’ short term and long term interest in the product and in facilitating social interactions between players, while adhering to team values and best practices.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience developing or maintaining systems in a shipped or live game
• Experience developing and 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
• Familiarity with Agile development methodology and experience with Product Ownership a plus

Responsibilities

• Maintain numerous existing in-game systems as assigned (Examples: Achievements, Itemization, Crafting, Housing, Justice, Itemization, etc)
• Develop expertise on all in-game systems behavior and interdependencies including proprietary toolsets
• Create and maintain documentation for new and existing systems
• Coordinate work initiatives and priorities across multiple feature teams
• Function effectively as a leader and/or 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

Overview

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

Qualifications

• Minimum 3-5 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 flow

Responsibilities

• Design and script quests and gameplay for Elder Scrolls Online, with a focus on storytelling and pacing
• Includes working in our proprietary toolset 

Preferred Skills

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