Threewave is Hiring - Level Designer

[kgibson]

Threewave Software is looking for a sharp, ambitious, visionary Level Designer to join our team. As an ideal candidate you will have at least 2 years experience in game design. You will be responsible for creating and developing single and multiplayer missions. As a successful incumbent you will contribute to a major aspect of game design: single-player experience, multiplayer, and/or gameplay mechanics etc…and work with other designers to brainstorm and implement design concepts. Above all, your role is to ensure that the game is “fun,” by designing and implementing compelling experiences. Good interpersonal and communications skills are a must. You will report directly to the Lead Level Designer.

Main Responsibilities:
• Create levels for Multiplayer or Single-player games on a next-generation titles using Unreal Engine 3, Source Engine or the latest id technology.
• Work closely with the Art Director and Lead Game designer to enhance the immersion and fun factor of your levels.

Education and Experience:
• 2+ years of game development experience.
• Various levels of education will be considered coupled with a minimum of 2-5 years design experience in the video game industry.
• One or more shipped AAA titles as a level designer would be an asset, FPS preferred.
• A degree is required for all international candidates.

Requirements:
• Experience with 3D suites (Max, Maya, MissionMan, QeRadiant etc.) for creating game missions and environments.
• Experience with Source, Doom or Unreal3 Engine, Radiant.
• Excellent written and communication skills.
• Experience with mission and level scripting, including AI, in-game interactive sequences, puzzles, objectives etc – including writing, modifying, integrating and testing software code.

Preferences:
• Development of design documentation for mechanics, systems, and freeplay and mission summaries.
• Design, implement and balance multiplayer missions.
• Extensive knowledge of FPS games and their mechanisms.
• A passion for and broad knowledge of various genres and games on different platforms, with an ability to critically analyze them.
• Next generation console game development experience – Xbox 360, PS3.
• Cross platform development experience.
• Understanding of basic programming or scripting languages (LUA, Perl, JavaScript, Python, C++, C, C#, etc..) is a strong asset.
• Experience using Perforce.
• Preferred candidates will have produced finished and playable levels with id, Epic or Valve technology.
• A strong desire to create compelling games that are original and successful in a competitive market.

Duties:
• Contribute to the design team, in defining the creative vision, technical specifications, fun factor, story creation and product content for assigned products.
• Work with the Producer and the Design Lead to drive the team’s understanding of the project’s vision.
• Identify and communicate technical problems, processes and solutions.
• Design, implement and test multiplayer mission, from initial concept to the final product.
• Write and maintain Design Documents for internal and external use.
• Bring new ideas to the table in regards to every facet of the game: mechanics, story, missions, and more.
• Exhibit good comprehension of gameplay values and spatial reasoning.
• Absorption and continuous learning of all fields related to level design, staying in tune with trends and products emerging in the gaming marketplace.
• Responsible for play testing and providing feedback to other team members.
• Teamwork and Team-First attitude; Work closely with other team members (other designers, art and programming) to implement design concepts.
• Development of working and final design documentation, including but not limited to mechanics, systems, freeplay and mission summaries.
• Help shape and herald the game’s vision.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:

If you meet the noted requirements and want to be part of a successful team offering a bright future then we want to hear from you!

Documentation:

• Cover letter stating your availability.
• Current Resume stating the list of credits, titles and platforms.

Please apply to the attention of Kathy Gibson, Director of Human Resources, via jobs@threewavesoftware.com. Special thanks to all applicants for their interest.

http://www.threewavesoftware.com

[andyman]

when can I start?

[Turbine]

How much is average one room rent in Vancouver? Anything better than Toronto.

If it's cheaper, ill consider it.

[GODLIKE]

Depends on where you are.. use Craigslist, etc to check it out. Around where I live is circa $800-1100 for a one bedroom of decent size..

[seremtan]

all these level design jobs require that you already have pro level design experience. where are you supposed to get it exactly if everyone wants experience?

i know this is the old chicken/egg catch 22 thing that happens with most jobs but i'm curious to know how people in the industry actually got their first level design job

[g0th-]

They probably ignored the requirements and applied anyway or they happen to know someone in the industry witch recommended them.

[obsidian]

I think most companies will consider mod work to be "level design experience" so long as you have a decent portfolio.

[Dave]

Nice thing about computer jobs is if you're good enough you can create your own professional experience with all the public projects there are to get involved in if you have access to the right tools

[pjw]

I think most companies will consider mod work to be "level design experience" so long as you have a decent portfolio.

Nice thing about computer jobs is if you're good enough you can create your own professional experience with all the public projects there are to get involved in if you have access to the right tools

Quoting for agreement re: both of these comments.

There is one important overriding thing to accomplish if you want to get a job as a level designer...here it comes--are you ready?

Make Cool Shit.

Professional experience is a good thing--so is flexibility, a college degree, a variety of skills (e.g. modelling, scripting, and so forth), and a passable command of the English language including the ability to communicate using words with more than two syllables. Bathing and not being obnoxious are good ideas as well.

But the most important thing of all is to have something (or better yet, a lot of things) that, when a prospective employer loads it up, will make them say "Whoa, that's really cool! Can you make us one?!"

(I got my first job based on Q2 maps, and it was 3 hours away from home, so during the week I slept on the floor under my desk for two years and made Q3 maps all night after work.)

Kathy, sorry for the semi-derail, but it seemed like a good discussion. If you wish, I can split this off into it's own thread...?

[a13n]

Thank you, pjw.
It's a very good read.

[Hipshot]

As PJW said, cool stuff, that will get you far. And talk.

i'm curious to know how people in the industry actually got their first level design job

Actually Dice asked me.

[obsidian]

The ability to communicate using words with more than two syllables. Bathing and not being obnoxious are good ideas as well.

Awww, dammit!

[wattro]

i might have asked this before - but how many people work at the threewave office?

how much direction/control/responsibility does 3wave have on the projects they work on for publishers?

[a13n]

Actually Dice asked me.

Bastard!