Welcome to Maxis, home to tinkerers, craftspeople, & storytellers. Our drive is to inspire everyone to make a better world through creative play. As the developer of The Sims, we create games and experiences for millions of people around the world and are always looking for new ways to inspire our players. Maxis is a place where you can do what you love and help others grow while doing it; a place where your unique voice can be heard and seen. We put creativity and inclusivity at the core of our work and don't settle for seeing the world only as it is, but strive to build a world as it could be.
In this role you will be part of the Project Rene team building out the next generation game and creative platform. Project Rene is a Mobile + HD cross-platform that allows players to play The Sims alone or with friends, without barriers, for the first time ever. Explore the dramatic lives of your Sims in the most accessible, dynamic Simulation to date. Players can create characters, customize furniture, design apartments, and more using accessible tools. We're excited you're interested to learn more about how you can join our team and dream big.
As the Multiplayer Design Director you’ll help envision and implement how players socialize, connect, collaborate, and play together. You will use your passion to shape social play and related multiplayer game systems throughout product development, from initial prototypes to refined solutions. You will be the leading advocate for the social and multiplayer aspects of all experiences, ensuring that player connection and collaboration is an important tenet of the entire product. You will be the voice that always asks how we can do a better job of connecting our players through meaningful social experiences.
You are eager to re-imagine The Sims as a connected multiplayer experience, balancing innovation with the magic of the franchise, taking a beloved experience to new horizons.
You will be reporting to the Senior Creative Director. Remote Friendly.
Responsibilities
Define, champion, and lead the holistic vision for multiplayer and social experiences, partnering with the Game Director and Senior Creative Director on overall product vision.
Manage the social and multiplayer design vision all the way through implementation, leading the Multiplayer team and collaborating with Design Directors across other areas of the game.
Create design documentation, provide design direction and feedback, and refine processes that empower the Multiplayer team to build the vision.
Collaborate with and provide guidance to peers and junior design staff, providing clear creative goals and helping them resolve complex problems.
Become knowledgeable on Maxis’ proprietary game designer development tools to guide designer work, define tools requirements, and partner with the Simulation team.
Practice inclusive design principles by creating a social and multiplayer creator ecosystem that is responsible, sustainable, and protects our players from toxicity.
Partner with stakeholders to set priorities and find balanced design solutions to player needs and our goals within technical constraints.
Guide player-centered and data-informed iterative design processes to provide world-class design solutions using both quantitative and qualitative player insights.
Partner with UXR to set strategic research goals, plan tactical studies, and create opportunities for foundational and directional research.
Partnering with Production and Development Directors to prioritize designs, track tasks, identify risk, and clarify changes in multiplayer design work.
Partner with Development Directors and Game Design Leadership to provide craft management and career mentorship for game designers.
Qualifications
10+ years of experience in a creative role within the gaming industry, 3+ years in a lead or director role.
Experience developing social game mechanics, social platforms, multiplayer games, or other relevant products.
Expertise in multiplayer game design for cross-platform and live service games.
Expertise and experience with creating social experiences that bring players and UGC together in new and unexpected ways (ex. Among Us, Don’t Starve Together, Elden Ring)
Comfortable with multiple stages of development, from pre-production through live service.
Experience with live service business models and products centered around user generated content.
Experience working with research departments and product management to establish tests and interpret data to improve the design.
Experience with standard industry game engines like Unreal.
Desirable Skills
Experience with large teams.
Technical Design, scripting or engineering background.
Worked on a AAA HD title.
Experience working in Agile environments.
Design experience on games that focus on open-ended player creativity.
Knowledge of or experience with popular interactive story machinima, simulation games, or mod communities (ex: The Sims, Episodes, Grand Theft Auto Online, Crusader Kings).
US COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The base salary ranges listed below are for the defined geographic market pay zones in these states. If you reside outside of these locations, a recruiter will advise on the base salary range and benefits for your specific location.
EA has listed the base salary ranges it in good faith expects to pay applicants for this role in the locations listed, as of the time of this posting. Salary offered will be determined based on numerous relevant business and candidate factors including, for example, education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and business or organizational needs.
BASE SALARY RANGES
California (depending on location e.g. Los Angeles vs. Sacramento): º $131,600 - $213,300
New York (depending on location e.g. Manhattan vs. Buffalo): º $131,600 - $213,300
Jersey City, NJ : º $154,800 - $213,300
Colorado (depending on location e.g. Denver vs. Colorado Springs): º $131,600 - $179,600
Washington (depending on location e.g. Seattle vs. Spokane): º $131,600 - $195,200
Base salary is just one part of the overall compensation at EA. We also offer a package of benefits including paid time off (3 weeks per year to start), 80 hours per year of sick time, 16 paid company holidays per year, 10 weeks paid time off to bond with baby, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.
About Electronic Arts
Everything we do is designed to inspire the world to play. Through our cutting-edge games, innovative services, and powerful technologies, we bring worlds with infinite possibilities to millions of players and fans around the globe.
We’re looking for collaborative and inclusive people with diverse perspectives who will enrich our culture and challenge us. We take a holistic approach with our benefits program, focusing on physical, emotional, financial, career, and community wellness to support our people through every chapter of life. We provide comprehensive benefit packages and support for a balanced life with paid time off and new parent leave, plus free games and so much more. Our goal is to provide a safe and respectful workplace that empowers you to thrive in both work and life.
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. We will also consider employment qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law. EA also makes workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law.
