Lead System Game Designer - Azra Games

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, Legions & 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.

Job Summary: 

We are in search of a Lead Systems Designer to spearhead the development of game mechanics that create engaging gameplay experiences. In this role, you will not only design but also lead a team of systems designers to translate game concepts into intricate models of scoring, difficulty, and economy. Your focus will be on crafting balanced and intuitive systems such as combat, class design, building systems, AI, scoring rules, and community features. You will also be responsible for analyzing live data and player feedback to fine-tune the gaming experience. If you have a strong background in systems design and team leadership, we invite you to apply.

Responsibilities:

• Act as a lead across multiple systems, ensuring that the intended player behaviors are driven by the numbers in our game systems
• Translate game concepts into complex models of progression, difficulty, and economy.
• Lead the creation of various game systems, including but not limited to combat systems, class design, building systems, AI, and community features.
• Review game metrics and adjust economy models to optimize the player experience.
• Collaborate with and advise pipeline teams throughout the development lifecycle to shape new features and systems designs.
• Analyze, validate, and incorporate live data and player feedback into system adjustments.
• Set daily work assignments and lead the team toward achieving short-term objectives.
• Interact with subordinates, peers, managers, and vendors to resolve routine issues and interpret data.

Requirements:

• Experience with economy models, progression systems, hero classes, skills and ability systems in RPGs and their implementation
• Two or more shipped action RPG games
• Experience in the unity game engine and scripting languages
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as attention to detail
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, as well as the ability to give and receive constructive feedback
• Self-starter willing to find solutions and ask questions when needed
  
• Ideally based locally to the Sacramento area. We are open to Hybrid and Remote candidates with the expectation of coming to the office based on needs. Cadence will be agreed upon with the Hiring Manager.

The perks of working at Azra:

• Competitive salary & equity 
• Platinum healthcare plan for you and your family 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, and/or hybrid, and anything in between.
• 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: $124,66.00 - $195,716.00. 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.