Design Director, Combat AI - Unannounced Game

at  Blizzard Entertainment

JOB DESCRIPTION:

At Blizzard, we craft genre-defining games and legendary worlds for all to share. Through unparalleled creativity and storytelling, we create immersive universes and iconic characters that are beloved across platforms, borders, backgrounds, and generations - only made possible by building a work environment that nurtures the artistry of game development and unleashes the aspirations of our people.
As the Design Director, Combat AI, you will lead a team responsible for conceptualizing, designing, and implementing innovative artificial intelligence combat systems within our games. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that AI-driven gameplay features enhance the player experience and contribute to the overall success of our titles. Your expertise in both game design principles and AI technologies will drive the development of immersive gaming experiences.
This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work-from-home. The potential home studio for this role is Irvine, CA.

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 12 years experience in AAA game design, five of which in a Lead or Principal capacity focused on AI design and development or equivalent in a combination of education and work experience.
• Deep understanding of artificial intelligence algorithms, techniques, and methodologies, with practical experience applying them to game development.
• Experience with AI authoring tools and comfortable writing behavior logic.
• Familiarity with programming languages commonly used in game development (e.g., C++, C#, Python) and experience working with game engines.
• Strong leadership and team management skills. Possesses an ability to inspire and empower a diverse team of designers and developers.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical team members.
• Passion for gaming and a strong understanding of game design principles, player psychology, and user experience fundamentals.
• Creative problem-solving abilities and a track record of delivering innovative solutions to complex design challenges.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, with a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.

Priorities can often change in a fast-paced environment like ours. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Develop a cohesive vision for AI-driven combat mechanics across multiple projects, aligning with the overarching game design goals and player experience objectives.
• Lead and mentor a team of AI designers, providing guidance and support to foster their professional growth and enhance their creative potential.
• Work closely with game designers, programmers, artists, and other partners to integrate AI systems seamlessly into game environments, ensuring they enhance combat dynamics and contribute to overall immersion.
• Oversee the creation of AI prototypes and iterate on designs based on playtesting feedback and data analytics, refining AI behaviors to achieve optimal balance and challenge.
• Define the technical architecture for AI combat systems, collaborating with engineering teams to implement scalable and efficient solutions that meet performance requirements across various platforms.
• Advocate for player-centric AI combat design, ensuring that AI behaviors enhance player engagement, immersion, and satisfaction throughout the gaming experience.
• Stay abreast of advancements in AI technology and gaming trends, conducting research to find opportunities for innovation and differentiation in AI-driven mechanics.
• Collaborate with quality assurance teams to identify and address AI-related issues, ensuring high levels of polish, stability, and reliability in the final game product.
• Document design principles, standard processes, and technical specifications for internal reference, and effectively communicate AI-related concepts and requirements to cross-functional teams.