Senior Hero Designer, Overwatch

The Overwatch team is looking for an accomplished designer to help create our next great heroes!

We are searching for a senior designer with a passion for creating compelling yet simple gameplay. You’re driven by accessibility and simplicity, with experience designing playable characters and player abilities. You have the knowledge to create memorable heroes that are unique in both identity and gameplay. You can drive your designs from creation through implementation, balance, and bug fixing. You adapt and align with the project fantasy and think about user experience in everything you do. You are passionate about video games, knowledgeable about Overwatch, and excited to contribute to the overall success of the game.

We embrace the core philosophy of our IP: we are stronger as a team. If you’re looking for people who support each other in times of success as well as adversity, you may be the next Hero we’re looking for!

Responsibilities

• Create and develop new hero concepts from initial ideation through final implementation
• Collaborate with artists, programmers, and other designers to ensure cohesive character design
• Design and fine-tune hero abilities to ensure balanced and engaging gameplay
• Conduct playtesting and gather feedback to iterate and improve hero designs
• Stay up to date with industry trends and competitor games to bring innovative ideas to the team
• Provide detailed documentation and presentations of hero designs and concepts
• Work closely with the narrative team to ensure each hero has a compelling backstory and fits within the Overwatch universe

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience as a gameplay or combat designer
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
• Self-motivated and driven to grow and learn, while helping those around you do the same
• Strong problem-solving skills and solid game design philosophies with a focus on simplicity and impactful gameplay
• Passion for video games, especially the shooter genre

Pluses

• Education or experience in computer science
• Extensive development experience in the shooter genre and/or multiplayer co-op games
• Prior work experience or education in other (non-design) fields such as art, programming, production, or sound
• Love and knowledge of Overwatch

Required Application Materials

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Your Platform

Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard engages tens of millions of players around the world across PC, console, and mobile platforms.

Our World

Activision Blizzard, Inc. is one of the world’s largest and most successful interactive entertainment companies, operating at the intersection of media, technology, and entertainment. Home to beloved franchises including Call of Duty®, World of Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, Candy Crush™, and Bubble Witch™, our network reaches hundreds of millions of monthly active users across 196 countries.

We believe diverse teams create better worlds. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and connect the world through epic entertainment. We offer a suite of benefits supporting physical, emotional, and financial well-being for every employee.

The video game industry is fast-paced and evolving. As such, duties and responsibilities may change as needed to support business objectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide. Research shows that women and members of other underrepresented groups are less likely to apply if they don’t meet every requirement—yet often do. We strongly encourage you to apply.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Requests can be sent to [email protected]. Blizzard Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other protected characteristic.

Rewards

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!  Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:

• Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;
• 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;
• Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;
• Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;
• If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company.  You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/.

In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $80,800.00 - $149,400.00 Annual. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role’s range details for your local geography during the hiring process. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable.