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

Irvine, California, United States

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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

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

HearthstoneCard DesignGame MechanicsWarcraftCard ScriptingPlaytestingGame BalancingPlayer Experience Design

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the work arrangement for this role?

This is a hybrid work position, with some work required to be on-site and some work-from-home. The home studio is in Irvine, CA.

What experience is required for this position?

Candidates need 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 genre. Additional requirements include familiarity with live service game design and proven success leading multi-disciplinary teams.

What key skills are needed for the Principal Game Designer role?

Essential skills include a deep understanding of card game mechanics, tuning, and player motivations, strong project management skills, and the ability to take initiative with strong ownership and accountability.

What is the company culture like on the Hearthstone team?

The team values creativity, collaboration, and a passion for delivering joyful experiences to players, while fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement.

What makes a strong candidate for this Principal Game Designer position?

A strong candidate has 10+ years of game design experience with CCG/strategy live service games, deep card game knowledge, leadership in multi-disciplinary teams, and skills in advocating for intuitive design while balancing scope and creativity.

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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