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Combat Director

California, United States

Combat Design Director

Azra Games is recapturing the childhood thrill of storytelling with your entire toy box for modern AAA gaming. We are dedicated to one genre, role-playing games, and led by veteran designer Mark Otero (Zero-to-one director of Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes, EA’s most successful mobile game of all time, with $1.5B lifetime revenue). Azra has assembled an expert team with decades of experience building blockbuster games. Our debut release, code named ‘Project: Legends,’ will be Mark’s ninth RPG. And his best. Azra Games believes in harnessing the power of technology, with a focus on generative AI, to radically disrupt & transform game development.

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Combat Design Director to lead and innovate the combat systems of our next-generation video game projects. The ideal candidate is a seasoned professional with over 10 years of experience in game design, specializing in real-time combat systems for action RPGs or fantasy settings. With a deep understanding of Unity, mobile platforms, and combat mechanics, this role will be pivotal in shaping the player experience and delivering cutting-edge gameplay.

Responsibilities

Combat System Development:

  • Design, implement, and refine real-time combat systems, including player mechanics, enemy AI, and boss encounters, tailored for fantasy-themed ARPGs.
  • Define core combat principles such as responsiveness, pacing, hit detection, and player feedback.

Leadership & Collaboration:

  • Lead a multidisciplinary team of designers, animators, and programmers to create cohesive and immersive combat experiences.
  • Work closely with art, narrative, and level design teams to ensure combat mechanics integrate seamlessly into the game world.
  • Mentor junior designers, fostering their growth and creativity.

Prototyping & Iteration:

  • Develop prototypes to test combat mechanics and iterate based on feedback from playtests, analytics, and the player community.
  • Ensure mechanics are optimized for mobile platforms while maintaining quality and responsiveness.

System Design & Balancing:

  • Define abilities, weapons, and skill trees for diverse characters, ensuring balanced gameplay for both PvE and PvP modes.
  • Implement progression systems that align with ARPG mechanics, encouraging player engagement and exploration.

Unity Expertise:

  • Leverage Unity’s toolset to design and integrate combat systems, working closely with engineers to maximize performance on mobile devices.
  • Troubleshoot and optimize combat-related issues to ensure smooth gameplay across all supported platforms.

Market & Trend Awareness:

  • Stay updated on industry trends and competitor analysis to keep combat mechanics innovative and engaging.
  • Incorporate emerging technologies such as AR/VR or advanced input methods where applicable.

Requirements

Experience:

  • 10+ years of professional game design experience, with a proven track record of shipping multiple titles.
  • Extensive experience working on real-time combat systems for ARPGs or  fantasy-themed games.
  • Demonstrable expertise in designing for mobile platforms, including performance optimization and user experience.

Technical Skills:

  • Proficiency in Unity, with hands-on experience designing, prototyping, and implementing combat mechanics.
  • Strong understanding of AI behavior design for enemies and dynamic combat scenarios.
  • Knowledge of animation blending, hitboxes, collision detection, and physics systems.

Design Acumen:

  • Deep understanding of combat flow, player skill progression, weapon balance, and enemy design.
  • Experience creating innovative combat systems that resonate with fantasy game audiences.

Leadership & Communication:

  • Excellent leadership skills with the ability to inspire and guide a creative team.
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills, ensuring alignment across departments.

Pluses

  • Familiarity with mobile ARPG monetization models and live-service mechanics.
  • Experience with combat design for cross-platform releases.
  • Passion for dark fantasy and immersive storytelling.

The perks of working at Azra:

  • Competitive salary & equity
  • Platinum healthcare plan for you and your family 100% paid for by Azra Games. Including health, vision, and dental!
  • Parental leave
  • Unlimited paid time off
  • Work that fits your lifestyle – Work from our studio office in Sacramento, CA, hybrid, or fully remote.
  • Occasional catered lunches and dinners
  • Office social events including happy hours, parties, and community service projects.
  • A generous technology budget to provide the best gear you need to be your most productive and happy self.
  • A packed snack room and loaded fridge
  • Dedicated Game Room for "Market Research" 
  • An authentic office environment where you get to be YOU

Azra Games is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Azra Games is an inclusive workplace where everyone is welcome and employee differences are celebrated.

Base Salary Range: $127,000-$190,000. The final salary offered for this position may take into account a number of factors including, but not limited to, location, skills, education, and experience.

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