Established in 2016, ProbablyMonsters is a next generation independent game company that creates long-lasting studios and exceptional games. Revolutionizing the way AAA game studios are built, ProbablyMonsters provides its teams the resources and creative environment needed to foster stable, rewarding, and life-long careers while delivering best-in-class entertainment through a positive people-first culture.
We have built three studios so far. Each of them has a unique identity built around the type of gamer experience they are creating. Knit together inside the ProbablyMonsters family culture, all studios are bonded by the core values of respect, trust, accountability, and approachability. Connected by the company’s mission to unite, guide, and empower developers to create exceptional entertainment experiences, developers are given the confidence, security, and stability to create and ship their games free of distractions.
Our Incubation Team focuses on prototyping new ideas, new game concepts, new franchises, and the incubation of new studios with the ambitious vision to create genre defining games for the next generation of players. This is one of those unique opportunities that only happen once in a lifetime.
The Role
We are looking for a Design Director who is not only an accomplished game designer but also a proven and empathetic leader. The ideal candidate is incredibly passionate about several areas of game design and the full scope of the game development process. They know how to: responsibly grow teams and shape a project, recognize and cultivate talent at all experience levels, adeptly flex their management and communication styles, and understand how to manage and protect a diverse group of individual developers. Ideally, this person would be responsible for not only crafting an amazing design team but will also be responsible for facilitating amazing gameplay experiences that have the potential to resonate with as many players as possible. Our Design Director is the heart and soul of the design discipline, seeking alignment with all other departments to realize the best possible version of the game while striving to put the entire design staff in a position to consistently succeed. In addition, the Design Director is a resource the team relies on when features are not reaching their full potential. They are on the last line of defense for design quality and team health – they are the inspiring and courageous leader, never the brutal taskmaster.
Who You Are
You build and prioritize a “People First” culture. You recognize team health is imperative in building amazing games and a sustainable work environment.
You lead from the front and are comfortable establishing accountability and communicating clear expectations, both for yourself and your reports. Set the examples and empower your designers to work with you in achieving the best possible outcomes.
You are not afraid to take creative risks and work cross-discipline to explore novel solutions.
You are comfortable partnering with other directors to ensure that we maximize the potential impact of all disciplines on the final quality of the design.
Collaboration, mentorship, and vision are second nature to you as you craft, lead, and steer all aspects of design and development.
You thrive in iteration and foster a healthy cycle of prototype, test, iterate, and polish in all areas.
You love challenging third-person action RPGs and have a list of new ideas to bring to the genre.
You are comfortable being a role model, mentor and leader who is able to guide the team to improve their craft.
You create a positive, forward-focused environment that proactively identifies and prioritizes solutions, not just problems.
You’re an avid explorer who drives curiosity in the design space, communicates effectively across departments and has experience levels to create excitement around establishing a strong creative vision.
What You Will Do
You will be responsible for determining the needed roles, budgets and hiring your entire design team. You will lead the high-level design of the project, establishing clear design goals and expectations for deliverables.
You will coordinate with all departments to define milestones and maintain alignment on project goals, quality bar, and production risks and mitigations.
You will draft and diligently maintain detailed and articulate documentation related to game features, systems, mechanics, tools, development processes, best practices, and design career development.
You will manage, grow and mentor other designers and are willing to extend a helping hand whenever necessary, without resorting to micromanagement.
You will build the design development pipelines from the ground up with a focus on quality and efficiency.
You will spend time working in-engine, helping to build, test, and iterate on systems, features, and content.
You will be an arbiter of quality, routinely reviewing and providing feedback on others’ work before it ships to consumers and as often as necessary for successful playtests.
You will have some fun! You will foster a team environment that thrives together under your leadership and prizes collaboration, comradery, creativity, diversity, and joy for the craft of game development.
Qualifications
Shipped titles working in Unreal Engine with Blueprint visual scripting or equivalent 3D game engine and scripting language(s).
Shipped titles while working on any of the following: character action games, challenging combat systems, enemy encounter & AI, and/or diverse RPG systems.
Deep game design experience with multiple shipped commercial titles in a leadership role.
Strong speaking, writing, and general communication skills, including the ability to craft detailed and articulate documentation, feedback, and presentation materials.
An extensive understanding of modern game design, production, and development best practices.
A positive personality that protects, teaches, and inspires people to do their best possible work.
Passion for personally crafting and implementing high-quality designs and processes, with a willingness to wear different hats as necessary to ensure team success.
Experience managing remote teams, while working with “in-house” and outsourcing partners to drive results.
Our Commitment to You
A people-first culture founded on respect, trust, approachability, and accountability.
A stable home that values your potential, deeply cares about your work-life balance, and is committed to investing in your craft and long-term career.
Competitive benefits package including health and family benefits, employee assistance program, flexible and paid time off, financial benefits and professional and personal development.
