About the role
Job Details
- Position: Combat Game Designer
- Employment Type: Full-time
- Project: Unannounced 2025
- Department: Design
- Location: Montreal, CA (Remote/Hybrid)
Company Description
People Can Fly is one of the leading independent AAA game development studios with an international team based in Poland, the UK, Ireland, the US, and Canada, as well as remote employees globally. Founded in 2002, the studio is known for titles such as Painkiller, Bulletstorm, Gears of War: Judgment, and Outriders. The studio focuses on Unreal Engine development and is currently working on Gears of War: E-Day, Project Echo for KRAFTON, Lost Rift, and various VR and unannounced projects.
Responsibilities
- Create, pitch, and prototype gameplay ideas for core combat and moment-to-moment mechanics and systems, combat characters, their feel, behavior, abilities, and encounters in various settings.
- Implement combatant characters with animations and behavior using state machines, behavior trees, visual effects, sound effects, and combat encounters with arena layouts and pacing using provided level design tools and various other scripting systems.
- Create design documents, content briefs, system outlines, and other means of sharing information with involved teams.
- Collaborate with multiple disciplines to ensure the correct partners are involved and informed throughout the development process.
- Stay current on industry trends, including new game genres, design methods, techniques, and trending audio-visual excellence.
- Operate with a high degree of agency and autonomy, and help shape the goals of the combat design team.
Qualifications
- At least 2+ years of experience in the production of AAA games for consoles and PC.
- 2+ years of experience shipping third-person melee combat titles in AI, combat, or systems design roles.
- Working proficiency with at least one game editor; multiple engine experience is valued.
- Exceptional ability to conceptualize, pitch, and implement game systems and features using various tools, technology, and visual language.
- Clear understanding of creative and game development processes.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
- Proven successes in creating compelling and fun gameplay, scenarios, and encounters.
- Self-motivated, hard worker with a team-focused attitude and ability to both give and take feedback and criticisms.
- Passion for combat-oriented games (action-adventure titles with 3rd person combat, or combat RPGs).
- Experience with scripting (visual and/or text-based) to support avatar behaviors, combat actions, and actions related to hero state machines.
- Proficiency in English is required due to regular interaction with international colleagues, partners, and stakeholders.
Nice to have:
- Good understanding of action-adventure genre design, player psychology, and emerging industry trends.
- Knowledge of Maya, 3DS Max, or similar 3D software.
- JIRA, Confluence, and Perforce Client (P4V) knowledge.
Benefits
- Benefit package 100% paid by PCF.
- Insurance covers 100% of claims (up to $500 per service/year, plus family/individual coverage).
- Full dental coverage, including major dental and orthodontics.
- 4% RRSP matching before tax deductions, 100% vested on day one.
- Paid week off during Winter Holidays.
- 20 paid vacation days and 5 paid sick days.
- Free virtual health and mental wellbeing sessions for members and their dependents.
- Personal development opportunities and the ability to work in a global environment.
- Opportunity to work in a creative team environment.