Design

ZeniMax Online Studios is looking for a Content Designer with our team -  working 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 Elder Scrolls Online, with a focus on storytelling and pacing
• Execute other game designs and design revisions when necessary
• Includes working in our proprietary toolset 

Requirements:

• Minimum 1-2 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

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 in 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

Requirements:

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

ZeniMax Online Studios is looking for a highly motivated and talented writer to collaborate with our team of creative professionals to bring the characters and stories of our 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 Lead Writer.

Requirements:

• 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 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.

ZeniMax Online Studios is looking for an Encounter Designer to build interactive combat scenarios that engage small groups of players and support solo quest content in Elder Scrolls Online. Our ideal candidate is passionate about storytelling in a multiplayer environment and finding new ways to delight and terrify players of all skill levels.

Responsibilities:

• Design and populate overland encounters in the Elder Scrolls Online
• Script AI combat behaviors and abilities in our proprietary toolset
• Stage monsters in new and interesting environments
• Communicate regularly with artists, writers, designers, and engineers

Requirements:

• Excellent storytelling and visual composition skills
• Experience playing massively multiplayer online games
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel or other data management software
• Motivated and organized, with strong attention to detail

Preferred Skills:

• 1-3 years games industry experience
• Photoshop or other image editing software experience
• Programming or scripting experience
• Demonstrable mod experience
• Animation background
• Familiarity with ESO

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.

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

Requirements: 

• 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

Preferred Qualifications:

• 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

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.

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

Requirements:

• 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
• Viewable portfolio of previous work a plus

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.

Requirements:

• 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.
• 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.

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.

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

Requirements: 

• 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

Desired Skills:

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

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.

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

Requirements: 

• 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

Desired Skills:

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

ZeniMax Online Studios is seeking a Lead UX 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 work with project leadership to shape our overall UX strategy, building best practices backed by meticulous research and guiding UX Designers to establish a holistic, consistent user experience. You will use your collaboration and interpersonal skills to build relationships with stakeholders, establishing a strong UX language and evangelizing user experience design. 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.

Responsibilities

• Work with a multidisciplinary team to define and develop UX strategy and experiential quality standards for multi-disciplinary product teams; guide UX Designers across multiple product teams to ensure holistic UX language, quality and consistency are carried throughout every aspect of the product
• Collaborate with other UX Designers and Developers to share knowledge, set realistic goals and seek out challenges and experimental opportunities; mentor and grow less experienced UX Designers, helping them tackle new challenges that level up their skills
• Establish collaborative relationships with product management partners and other key team members; you know UX can't succeed in isolation, especially in a highly collaborative, cross-functional environment
• Lead by example, diving in to get your hands dirty executing deliverables that demonstrate experience strategy when needed (experience models, prototypes, wireframes, whiteboard sketches, usability testing, user personas & ideation techniques

Requirements

• 7+ years of game design experience with a focus in UX, preferably in a mix of enterprise and start-up environments
• Thorough understanding of how to design and optimize consistent end-end UX/UI systems, features, and player experiences
• Proven ability to conceptualize, create and implement game concepts using various tools, technology and visual language
• Excellent creative, analytical and organizational skills with proven ability to write, communicate and maintain detailed design documentation throughout project life cycle
• Demonstrative proof of an open-mined, progressive thinker who is flexible, energetic and driven with the ability to overcome obstacles and challenges with working solutions
• A deep understanding of UX trends across multiple genres and platforms, including those related to accessibility
• Experience successfully scoping, planning and executing projects as part of an agile development team

Desired Skills

• Shipped at least 2 AAA titles working as a UX Designer
• Strong design portfolio built by applying user-centered design practices to product discovery, design, and development
• Experience with prototyping software such as Adobe XD, Invision, Axure, etc.

​Please provide your portfolio in order to be considered for the position.

Lead Gameplay Camera Designer

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.

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.

Requirements: 

• 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.

Desired Skills:

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

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

Requirements:

• 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