NPC Designer

Position Summary

As a NPC Designer, you'll be hands-on in designing and implementing the moment-to-moment gameplay that NPCs exhibit in-game. You're a system-savvy, technical designer who understands how skilled players are defined by their opponents' challenge – and you know how to make sure the challenge always feels rewarding to play. Working closely with programmers, animators, and other designers, you'll implement and refine combat with our NPCs – from prototyping new ideas to tuning the final experience. This is a hands-on, high-impact role on an ambitious team creating something special and exciting.

This role is based in Raleigh, NC, and we're primarily seeking candidates who are currently located in the area or are open to relocating. In-person collaboration with our technical and creative teams is essential to the success of this position.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, prototype, and iterate on NPC Design and implementation – including abilities, enemy behaviors, weapons, and feedback loops.
• Contribute to the development and optimization of gameplay to support performant, intelligent, strong NPC Combat.
• Contribute to a collaborative and highly iterative design culture.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Skills

• 3+ years of experience in gameplay or combat design with at least one shipped action or combat-focused title, bonus if you helped grow and maintain a live service game.
• 3+ years experience in UE4 and/or UE5.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and tuning player-centric combat systems.
• Leverage UE5 Blueprints and the Gameplay Ability System to prototype and build NPC abilities, weapons, and combat mechanics.
• Strong grasp of Behavior Trees and Blackboards in UE5.
• Collaborative mindset and excellent communication skills.
• Experience working closely with animation systems and/or designing melee or ranged combat systems.
• A passion for tuning, iteration, gameplay, design, and crafting joyful player experiences.
• Bonus: Previous experience at a startup or on early-phase projects.
• Bonus: An interest in film, cross-medium storytelling, or experimental gameplay.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Information

This role is based in Raleigh, NC, and we're primarily seeking candidates who are currently located in the area or are open to relocating. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. AGBO Labs LLC is committed to operating fair and unbiased recruitment procedures allowing all applicants an equal opportunity for employment, free from discrimination on the basis of religion, race, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, color, ethnic or national origin or any other classification as may be protected by applicable law. We aim to recruit the right people for the jobs we have to offer, and to assess applications on the basis of relevant skills, education and experience.

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