Crystal Dynamics is constantly seeking the best gaming talent worldwide to add to our 30-plus year legacy of game development creating new and iconic franchises. We are committed to making great games with great people and living the dream while doing it.
Benefits for our regular full-time positions include, but are not limited to, a competitive regional salary, 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance options, professional development reimbursement, flexible hybrid on-site/off-site work opportunities, 12 company paid holidays, plus additional paid days in December when the studio is closed for holiday break, and the ability to accrue additional paid time-off.
Join us and shape the future of an amazing studio culture committed to creating award-winning franchises like Tomb Raider, the next Perfect Dark, and more!
Crystal Dynamics is looking for a Combat Layout Specialist to join our team of talented game developers. In this role, you’ll help shape engaging combat experiences, working closely with other designers to build immersive and fun gameplay environments. We're seeking someone who thrives as an individual contributor who enjoys hands-on design, iteration, and collaboration, with a focus on refining combat encounters and contributing to the player experience.
As a Combat Designer (Combat Layout Specialist), you will:
- Develop engaging and innovative game levels that seamlessly integrate gameplay mechanics with narrative elements, adhering to the game's core principles.
- Design and implement combat encounters that challenge and excite players, ensuring a balanced and enjoyable experience.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Art and Narrative departments, to ensure a cohesive and immersive game experience.
- Participate in constructive discussions with other designers and stakeholders, ensuring levels and combat scenarios meet the expected quality and align with the game's pacing and player experience goals.
- Utilize your proficiency in level design tools and software to create and iterate on level layouts.
- Maintain a balance between creative aspirations and the practical constraints of the project, such as timelines and technical limitations.
- Produce detailed documentation for game levels and combat encounters, providing clear and comprehensive guidelines for the team.
To be considered for this role, we require the following:
- Experience as a Level Designer, with a focus on designing combat layouts.
- Portfolio demonstrating your skill and creativity in level design.
- Experience designing combat encounters and balancing player progression.
- Strong understanding of game design principles and how they contribute to player engagement and enjoyment.
Preference will be given to candidates who have:
- Experience designing levels for high-quality, 3rd-person action-adventure games.
It'll be a bonus if you also have:
- Contributed to level design on an AAA game.
- Experience in Unreal Engine.
The pay range for this role includes the annual base salary, not including bonus and the generous benefits package that Crystal Dynamics provides all full-time employees. Individual compensation is determined by work location within our approved states or regions, as well as additional factors, including job related skills, experience, and relevant education.
Your recruiter will be able to share more information about total compensation.
Pay Range (United States)
$75,000—$106,000 USD
Pay Range (Canada)
$73,000—$109,000 CAD
Not sure if you are qualified? We hope that you will still choose to apply so we may review your application!
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For more information on how to avoid scams like this please see our Jobs Scams & Phishing Attempts help page, or visit the FTC website.
Crystal Dynamics is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to identifying and implementing positive and persistent measures to ensure equal opportunity in the recruitment, hiring, development, training, promotion and compensation of a diverse team employee group. This includes persons of different race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity or gender expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding or medical conditions related to breastfeeding, genetic characteristic, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, medical condition, political affiliation, age, veteran status, uniform service member status, marital status, physical or mental disability, or citizenship, as well as any other classifications protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
By submitting an application, you acknowledge that you have read and understand Crystal Dynamics's Privacy Notice.
Top Skills
What We Do
Crystal Dynamics is an award-winning, top of class game development studio located just south of San Francisco in sunny San Mateo, CA. Founded in 1992, Crystal Dynamics has grown into a world class studio by developing iconic franchises and keeping at the forefront of the very latest in technology and graphics. Crystal Dynamics is owned by the Embracer Group.
Having created beloved properties such as Gex and the Legacy of Kain series, as well as driving the massively successful Tomb Raider franchise, Crystal Dynamics is now laying the groundwork for the next generation of innovative and technologically stunning projects.
Team work makes the dream work, and at Crystal Dynamics diverse perspectives, equal voices, and inclusive philosophies create the best teams who make the best games. Diversity leads to productivity, tolerance, and a welcoming spirit as part of the Crystal Dynamics family. Inclusivity breaks down barriers of all kinds to ensure all people can take joy in their work, have pride for being heard, and take comfort in being respected. We prize all perspectives so that we can be our best selves and the best game developers at a company beloved for our games as well as our culture of creativity. To all who wish to enter this place and continue evolving Crystal Dynamics to be its best self, we say welcome.
For more details on Crystal Dynamics, visit our company page, www.crystald.com, our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crystal-Dynamics/8277214270 , or our Twitter, @crystaldynamics.
