Technical Game Designer II - TFT, Gameplay

Technical Game Designers on the TFT team are both game designers and engineers. They work on game teams to find fun, dream up great champions, traits, cosmetics, and progression systems, and then use their world-class technical skills to design and build the systems, tools, and features to make it all real. Like all Riot game designers, they need to be able to break down tough gameplay problems, empathize with players, and come up with solutions both dreamy and practical. And like all Riot engineers, they develop expertise on our tech stack, and can build efficient, maintainable, and effective technology.

Accordingly, while this is primarily a game design role, the requirements also include significant engineering skills. This role reports to the Initiative Design Lead for Gameplay.

• Gain an understanding of TFT's and Riot's strategic goals, and work with a diverse team of developers to execute on those goals
• Use Riot's design tools and expertise in C++ to build effective, efficient, and maintainable gameplay and systems for TFT
• Act as an effective bridge between engineering and game design, and take ownership of complex systems in this space (for example, tech designers designed, built, and maintain our Armory system)
• Advocate effectively for players in planning and creative meetings
• Critique others' work with sensitive candor, and be so critiqued in turn
• Help strengthen and grow the design discipline, and tech design specifically (this can take many forms: giving design talks, participating in and improving our interview process, documenting best practices and standards, etc.)

• 3+ years of experience as a Technical Game Designer, Gameplay Engineer, or similar positions
• Great game design analysis and problem solving skills
• Give feedback that's both sensitive and clear; receive and act on feedback in a collaborative spirit
• Experience with defining tasks and communicating details about target player experiences

• 4+ years of experience as a Technical Game Designer or Gameplay Engineer or similar positions
• A systematic, well-tested design approach that emphasizes clear goal setting and solutions that speak directly to those goals
• A strong understanding of technical and creative tradeoffs, and how changes to goals will affect which solutions we should adopt
• Experience with the auto-battler genre and/or mobile game development
• Deep engagement with TFT's gameplay and systems (note this is not required!)

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise, a collaborative spirit, and decision-making that prioritizes the delight of players. We will be looking at your past studies, experience, and your personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about the experiences of players, this could be the role for you!

Riot has a focus on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy, in addition to other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.