Lead Designer, World

Job Description

Avalanche is a Warner Bros. Games studio located in downtown Salt Lake City nestled against the backdrop of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains. We've been in the video game business since 1995, creating interactive experiences for fans of the world's largest franchises. Join the team behind the blockbuster open world, action RPG Hogwarts Legacy as we create what's next!

The Job

As a Lead Designer, World for our Online Multiplayer RPG, you will spearhead the design and implementation of a cohesive vision for the game's world and playable spaces. You will collaborate closely with the Game and Design Directors, as well as Narrative and Art Directors to oversee and implement the strategic integration of various activity models, types of gameplay, types of environments, game systems, world navigation UX, and narrative design. You will ensure that these systems create an engaging, cohesive, and immersive experience for the player.

Your Role Accountabilities…

The Lead Designer, World will focus on the various aspects of the creation and implementation of the game's environments and playable spaces. The ideal candidate will ensure the environment aligns with the overall core gameplay, gameplay systems, and activity flow as well as the creative and narrative vision. This position includes a blend of creative, strategic, management, and technical responsibilities.

Design Leadership:
• Lead the development of playable spaces, levels, activities, and open world gameplay systems, such as traversal, world navigation, etc.
• Define the overall experience of the player as it relates to how they interact with the world, including how immersed they feel, and how well the world connects with various activity models.
• Create, prototype, and iterate on innovative world features that harmonize across various in-game systems.

Collaboration and Coordination:
• Collaborate closely with design, product, narrative, engineering, and art disciplines to ensure world gameplay complements and enhance the other player experiences.
• Work with product managers and analysts to ensure that game systems align with overall project goals and player behavior insights.
• Partner with UX/UI designers to create intuitive, player-friendly interfaces that help the player navigate the world in an immersive and meaningful way

Balance and Tuning:
• Lead and implement tuning and balancing processes, utilizing player feedback and data to improve gameplay experiences.

Vision and Documentation:
• Define and document the vision for the gameplay of the overall world, campaign, activity flow, etc. and ensure they align with the overall creative and design direction of the game.
• Work closely with story and narrative developers to create a highly coherent and immersive world that has the potential to change over time
• Lead the creation of high-quality design documentation, including level designs, system designs, activity flowcharts, and user journeys.

Mentorship and Team Leadership:
• Mentor and manage senior to junior designers to provide guidance to other design team members.
• Promote a collaborative, creative, and innovative design culture within the team.

Qualifications & Essentials
• 7+ years of experience in game design, with at least 3-5+ years leading or owning major online multiplayer game spaces and systems.
• Deep understanding of level design gameplay mechanics, activity models and flows, social systems, and player UX
• Deep understanding of how these systems integrate with progression/reward systems as well as core minute to minute action and strategic gameplay
• Proven experience in designing and balancing levels and mission flow
• Strong collaboration and communication skills across departments, including engineering, art, narrative, and production.
• Ability to conceptualize, prototype, and implement gameplay systems.
• Proficiency with game design software (e.g., Unreal Engine).
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret player data and adjust designs accordingly.
• Management experience working with AAA quality design cross functional teams.

Nice to Haves…
• Experience with live-service games.
• Experience with implementing data informed game design and a passion for using metrics to enhance player experience.
• Experience with scripting languages or a technical background is a plus.
• Deep knowledge of industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in game design.
• A passion for online multiplayer RPGs

Pay Range: $108,150.00 - $200,850.00

Championing Inclusion at WBD
Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.

If you're a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.

In compliance with local law, we are disclosing the compensation, or a range thereof, for roles in locations where legally required. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, skill set, experience, and/or performance. Base pay is just one component of Warner Bros. Discovery's total compensation package for employees. Pay Range: $0.00 - $0.00 salary per year. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. In addition, Warner Bros. Discovery provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and sick time and vacation.

If you're a qualified candidate with an arrest or conviction record, please know that your application will be considered in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-8646jx-18-218-26-136-42 in your application.