Design

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 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 looking for a Loremaster 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.

Responsibilities

• Develop the world and history for a new IP
• Create compelling and unique descriptions of people, locations, items, history, cultures and more, suitable for the theme and tone of the game
• Create IP materials to support the needs of product gameplay
• Provide clear and appropriately detailed answers to questions from the design and art teams
• Complete all work to required specifications and quality by established deadlines
• Perform other writing and fiction duties that may be assigned by Lead Narrative Designer

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience
• Demonstrable and strong skills as a writer and editor
• Experience working with published shared-world IPs
• Outstanding written and verbal communications skills
• Broad knowledge of history and science is essential
• Able to rapidly incorporate feedback and changing needs of the development team
• Strong ability to collaborate and thrive as part of a creative team
• Ability to work independently in a highly confidential environment
• Experience with wikis and/or Confluence preferred
• Have a passion for games and immersive worlds
• Play and understand modern video games

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 worldbuilding and lore. Resumes without writing samples will not be considered.

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 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.

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

Qualifications

• Demonstrable and strong skills as a writer and editor
• 5+ 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, fantasy, 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. A writing test will also be required to consider qualified applicants.

Preferred Skills

• A strong understanding of the lore and story of Elder Scrolls is highly desired

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

Overview

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

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
• Perform other writing and fiction duties that may be assigned by the Lead Writer

Qualifications

• Demonstrable and strong skills as a writer and editor
• 1+ 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 for crafting compelling stories
• Plays and understands modern video games, especially MMOs
• A strong understanding of the lore and story of Elder Scrolls is highly desired

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.