Gameplay Designer (Austin, Texas, US)

At Wizards of the Coast, we harness the power of imagination and connection to create unforgettable experiences. We create entertainment that inspires creativity, sparks passion, forges friendships, and fosters communities around the globe. In every pursuit our mission is to inspire a lifetime love of games. Whether it's through the strategic depth of Magic: The Gathering®, the rich storytelling of Dungeons & Dragons®, or our AAA digital game studios, we build worlds that bring people together, spark creativity, and fuel adventure. As we continue to grow and explore new realms, we're seeking passionate, curious, and innovative minds to join the adventure.

Skeleton Key is a game development studio and division of Wizards of the Coast. We are a group of industry veterans who are guided by the belief that empowering our teams and providing the necessary time, tools, and support we can foster a creative culture where everyone can do their best work.

Our studio is located in Austin, TX, and we are looking for a passionate and dedicated Gameplay Designer to join us and bring our first AAA game to life. This role will be based out of Austin, TX.

Reporting to the Design Director, you will be a key contributor as we enter pre-production, helping define and implement the player’s core gameplay experience. This role focuses on crafting and iterating on player combat abilities, movement, and actions, with an emphasis on feel, responsiveness, and clarity in first person. The position works closely with gameplay animation, engineering, and other design disciplines to develop player moment-to-moment experience and foundational 3C’s.

What you'll do:

• Design, prototype, and iterate on FPS player combat systems including spells, melee attacks, ranged abilities, and related gameplay mechanics.
• Define and refine player movement, traversal verbs, and action sets to ensure a responsive and expressive gameplay movement kit.
• Collaborate closely with animation, VFX, and audio to drive timing, readability, and feel for player actions and abilities.
• Work with engineering to implement, tune, and maintain player-facing gameplay systems and behaviors.
• Author and maintain gameplay data, tuning values, and documentation to support iteration and long-term scalability.
• Playtest frequently, evaluate player experience, and iterate based on feedback, performance goals, and design intent.
• Contribute to cross-discipline discussions about combat feel, player readability, controls, and overall gameplay experience.

What you'll brin

• 4+ years of professional experience as a Gameplay Designer or Combat Designer on shipped games.
• Hands-on experience designing player abilities, combat mechanics, and movement systems in real-time games.
• Strong understanding of player-centric design principles, including controls, camera, character feel, and feedback.
• Experience working closely with animators and engineers to bring gameplay systems from concept through implementation.
• Ability to prototype, iterate, and tune gameplay systems using data-driven tools and scripting workflows.
• Strong communication skills and comfort giving and receiving feedback in a collaborative development environment.
• A player-first mentality with a passion for crafting responsive, satisfying gameplay experiences.

We are an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer

Wizards of the Coast is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. We are committed to making all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. If you have a disability and require assistance in this application process and need to request an accommodation, please contact your recruiter or coordinator.

The base salary range for this position is $86,700.00 to $138,900.00. The hiring range will vary based on factors such as experience, skills, location and market conditions. Additionally, employees may be eligible for annual and long-term incentives as part of their overall compensation package.

Our Comprehensive Benefits Package Includes:

• Health & Wellness: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Time Off to Recharge: Paid Vacation & Holidays
• Financial Well-bein Generous 401(k) Match
• Life & Family Support: Paid Parental Leave
• Giving Back: Volunteer & Employee Giving Programs
• Level Up Your Skills: Tuition Reimbursement
• Exclusive Perks: Product Discounts & More!

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