Principal Game Designer, Hearthstone | Irvine, CA at Activision-Blizzard

Irvine, California, United States

Activision-Blizzard Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
GamingIndustries

Requirements

  • 10+ years of professional game design experience, including at least 3 years in a content design role on a live service game in the CCG or strategy game genre
  • Familiarity with live service game design, including content pipelines, seasonal events, and time-limited challenges
  • Proven success leading multi-disciplinary teams in aligning goals and delivering content from initial concept through launch, while holding the bar high for quality and player impact
  • Deep understanding of card game mechanics, tuning, and player motivations
  • Strong project management skills and a great understanding of what players find fun
  • Ability to take initiative and manage responsibilities independently, demonstrating strong ownership and accountability
  • Being an advocate for simple, intuitive, and future-proof design
  • A good understanding of when to control scope and when to encourage exploration to find the right balance when aiming for a specific deadline
  • Confident in speaking up or giving voice to dissenting opinions constructively
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively within teams and foster productive partnerships across all departments
  • Strong documentation practices that clearly communicate design intent and build alignment

Responsibilities

  • Create engaging cards and mechanics for Hearthstone’s future expansions that deliver strategic depth and fun while remaining approachable
  • Leverage your knowledge of Hearthstone and the universe of Warcraft to design and develop cards, concepts, and flavor that encapsulates the charm of Hearthstone
  • Script and implement cards using internal tools
  • Participate in playtests and foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement by providing thoughtful feedback
  • Advocate for and explain product vision and design decisions both inside and outside the initial design team
  • Champion the player experience at every stage of development, ensuring gameplay remains fun, rewarding, and fresh through ongoing support and content updates

Skills

Hearthstone
Card Design
Game Mechanics
Warcraft
Card Scripting
Playtesting
Game Balancing
Player Experience Design

Activision-Blizzard

Develops and publishes interactive video games

About Activision-Blizzard

Activision Blizzard develops and publishes video games, creating popular franchises like World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, and Candy Crush. Their games are available on various platforms and cater to a wide range of players, from casual mobile users to serious console and PC gamers. The company generates revenue through game sales, in-game purchases, subscriptions for games like World of Warcraft, and advertising through Activision Blizzard Media. They also profit from merchandise and esports events. What sets Activision Blizzard apart from competitors is its focus on high-quality gaming experiences that promote community and social interaction among players. The company's goal is to provide engaging and immersive entertainment that connects gamers worldwide.

Santa Monica, CaliforniaHeadquarters
1979Year Founded
$975MTotal Funding
IPOCompany Stage
Entertainment, GamingIndustries
1,001-5,000Employees

Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Paid Holidays
Parental Leave
Mental Health Support
Wellness Program
Relocation Assistance

Risks

Employee morale issues due to layoffs could affect productivity and innovation.
Backlash from the Microsoft acquisition may impact game development and community trust.
Loss of key talent to competitors could weaken strategic capabilities.

Differentiation

Activision Blizzard boasts iconic franchises like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft.
The company excels in cross-platform play, enhancing player engagement and retention.
Activision Blizzard's esports division capitalizes on growing viewership and sponsorships.

Upsides

Microsoft's acquisition could provide resources for innovation and expansion.
Cloud gaming services offer a broader audience without high-end hardware needs.
Augmented reality gaming experiences present new opportunities for franchise expansion.

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