Role Overview
This Associate Game Designer role on the Madden franchise will be responsible for ensuring authenticity in our game with a focus on Players and Player ratings. As this role is centered on NFL players the candidate must have a healthy understanding of the NFL and Broadcast principles. Prospective candidates should also understand the principles of the Madden Games specifically Ultimate Team.
What skills does EA look for?
Game development is a highly complex, intensive process which can last two years or more, so the Associate Game Designer must be able to work closely with teams of programmers, artists, project managers, writers, and many others. The Associate Game Designer usually has a reasonably high level of video game playing experience and football knowledge. EA usually expects to see a portfolio of work, which can take the form of completed game projects or written game design documents and proposals.
Associate Game Designers must be able to understand and deliver to the expectations communicated to them by Designers, producers, marketing staff, and others involved in the development process, and accept feedback on their work. This involves confirming their understanding of deliverables both verbally and on paper, for which they need writing skills. Some programming skills at least at ‘scripting’ level and awareness of the various games platforms and technologies is ideal.
Excellent communication skills are a must. They must be able to work both as part of a team and independently. Last but not least, they must display systematic and strategic thinking as well as imagination and creativity.
Responsibilities
- Pick Players for program designs based on an understanding of program and business goals.
- Work with multi-disciplined teams including Producers, Artists, Programmers, Marketing and other Leads to create/author content to achieve the project’s vision.
- Maintain documentation of the content being authored.
Qualifications (Candidates need not have all of these)
- Strong Knowledge of NFL Football.
- Loves playing Sports games especially Ultimate Team.
- Ability to gather reference quickly, to spec, and keep it organized.
- Creating content and authoring logic in XML using internal tools and workflows.
- Analyzing and brainstorming content implementation.
- Design skills (game design experience a bonus).
- Ability to follow and author logic (Ability to script logic a bonus).
- Results orientated with strong documentation skills.
- Willing to work flexible hours that best takes advantage of business opportunities
- Ability to work closely with a large team through all phases of the product development process.
- Ability to work in a team environment with maturity and leadership.
- Experience troubleshooting problems and discovering solutions either individually or with a team.
- Provide and receive critique in a constructive manner with suggestions and solutions for improvement.
Nice to Have
- Knowledge of card games (Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, etc.) and how monetization of card gaming works.
- Experience with Live Service mechanics, theories, and implementation.
About EA
At Electronic Arts, we exist to Inspire the World to Play. We create extraordinary new game experiences for our millions of players everywhere by bringing together talented people that combine creativity, innovation, and passion. We know that our strength lies in the diversity of our people. We immerse our employees into an inclusive culture, and provide opportunities for learning and leading that allow them to do the most impactful and rewarding work of their careers. We put our people first. We provide comprehensive benefit packages with a focus on health and wellbeing to support your needs and help you balance your career and personal life. We provide access to dynamic and collaborative work environments, opportunities to connect and contribute through our Employee Resource Groups, and support for a balanced life with paid time off and maternity and paternity leave, plus free video games and so much more! Electronic Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Electronic Arts also makes workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law.
