For Notorious' first project, we're setting out to do something ambitious: build the next great core RPG game world. One major component of this game is to have deep, immersive, and engaging systems to enchant players for hundreds of hours.

We're looking for a highly-skilled, passionate, and driven system designer who can turn a vision of a player experience into elegant and engaging systems. This isn't just about maintaining player retention, it's about driving the player fantasy to its maximum through design.

What project you'd be working on

We're currently building a new core fantasy RPG game for PC/Console using Unreal 5. Elements of this project include open worlds, core RPG fantasy theme, PvPvE, third-person action-based combat, player stories, and engaging systems. It's still very early and anything can change, which you can be a part of.

About Notorious

Notorious Studios is a venture-backed start-up founded by core developers from Blizzard Entertainment who worked on titles like World of Warcraft, Diablo, and Overwatch.

We aspire to have a flatter organizational structure where everyone has a chance to lead. We have a culture of open and candid communication where the best idea wins. Sparks can fly, but we always attack ideas, not people.

As a startup, we're focused on minimizing wasted time and maximizing results. We have a hatred of bureaucracy and are focused on our mission of bringing underserved players new experiences that only a small, agile studio can accomplish.

Responsibilities

• Ownership on pitches (including building them from scratch) for core systems and features such as itemization, progression, social and more

• Communicate to the team and rally them behind your vision of a game system or feature through the perspective of a player

• Work with other designers, artists, engineers to build prototypes to quickly validate project hypotheses

• Manage multiple system projects in parallel

Required Qualifications

• 4 years experience developing content or systems for live games

• Design flexibility conducive to working on all facets of a game

• Deep critical thinking capability who can draw on a wealth of knowledge and examples of games you've played or built through the years

• Ability to work without a producer to self-manage yourself and scope projects and features

• Strong analytical skills that aid in understanding and articulating what makes games great

• Solid team player. Either you work on a small team already, or are excited to work on a small, scrappy, tight-knit group

• Passion and love for games

Ideally, you have:

• 8+ years of experience in professional game development

• Hands-on experience with and strong understanding of Unreal

• Strong understanding of virtual world economies, player psychology, and motivations, emergent gameplay scenarios, etc.

Benefits

• An office! We believe in the creative power of working in person. Our schedule is Tues-Thurs in-office, Monday, Friday WFH (optional)

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision

• Open paid-time-off policy with a minimum enforced by the company. We trust you to take time off when you need it

• Competitive salaries that value your experience and dedication

• Stock options in an early stage startup. We want you to be motivated to stick with us for the long haul

• Relocation assistance, and immigration where applicable