Senior Game Designer

As one of the most popular PC games today, League of Legends is reshaping PC gaming and core gamers perception of virtual goods.  Riot Games (named a Top 30 developer by Game Developer Magazine), the publisher and developer of League of Legends, is experiencing a period of rapid growth, doubling the size of the company in the past year.  With several million players in their first game across the US and Europe, and numerous awards (including IGN.com’s Readers' Choice for Best Multiplayer Game for League of Legends), Riot Games has pioneered new ground with their debut title and is continuing to aggressively expand.

We have a great opportunity for a Senior Game Designer in our Los Angeles, CA office.  This opportunity is best suited for a well-rounded designer with expertise in multiple sub-disciplines of design, and who is equally comfortable improving existing systems and developing new ones from the ground up.  The ideal candidate will be a gamer with a passion for team-based online multiplayer games.  Applicants must also be able to remain positive and work effectively and efficiently in a team-oriented environment.

Responsibilities (to include but not limited to):

  • Manage and lead moderate-sized game design initiatives, such as a new feature, or a major overhaul of a system.  Regularly act as a ‘sub-lead designer’ over projects.
  • Work closely with designers, engineers, artists and producers to design, tune and implement various aspects of League of Legends and/or unannounced projects.
  • Shepherd the design of new game systems, from initial written proposal to final tuning and polish.
  • Work with a proprietary set of development tools, and identify methods of improving and expanding them.
  • Contribute positively to the efforts of other designers; mentor other designers.

Requirements

  • 4+ years of professional game design experience and at least one major shipped title (major meaning $10 million or higher budget and 20+ person development team).
  • Widely played, especially with online games, with the ability to clearly articulate what is strong/weak about the design of existing games.
  • Expansive knowledge of League of Legends.  You should have a level 20+ summoner.
  • An analytical mind, strong problem solving & critical thinking skills. An ideal candidate will be of high intelligence while still possessing an intensely pragmatic streak.
  • Proven ability to lead initiatives from start to finish, and respond to problems successfully as they occur.
  • Expertise in multiple sub-disciplines of design, such as combat tuning, progression systems, user interface, etc.
  • Experience with scripting languages and tools – engineering background a plus.
  • Effective at delivering useful feedback to, and responding to feedback from, other designers.
  • Must have excellent organizational and communication (verbal & written) skills.
  • A positive attitude.
  • Bachelor’s degree OR 2 additional years of experience required. Graduate degree, technical background and/or top tier university pedigree a plus.
  • Valid US work authorization a plus.  We may make efforts towards a visa for truly exceptional candidates, but it is something we seldom do.
  • Must pass background check.

To apply, please send an email with Sr. Game Designer | Name in the subject line to: design_recruiting@riotgames.com.  Please include the following: 

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
  • List of games you’ve played over the past 6 months
  • Your top 10 games of all time
  • Your League of Legends summoner name, and the realm it is on (NA or EU)
  • 250 word analysis of a very popular game you have recently played. Explain briefly, preferably in bullet points, what you thought the game did well, what you think the game did poorly, and what changes you feel should be made to improve it.