Appeal Studios is a growing AA game development studio that is part of the THQ Nordic / Embracer family and located in Charleroi (Belgium).
After the release of our last game , Outcast : A New Beginning, we are looking for new talents to expand our current workforce on our new project with another studio abroad.

Appeal Studios is seeking an experienced Combat Designer (mid or senior level) who will focus on creature designs for our upcoming titles. The Combat Designer will conceptualize and implement compelling creature mechanics using Unreal 5.

What you'll do :

• Collaborate with Design Leadership : Work closely with design leadership to conceptualize, implement, and polish engaging creature behaviors that align with the project's creative vision.
  
• Balancing and Refining Creature Mechanics : Balance and refine creature mechanics to deliver unique, authentic, and captivating encounters for the player.
  
• Collaboration Across Disciplines : Work closely with animators, artists, and programmers to bring creatures to life in high-quality gameplay.
  
• Developing State Machines and AI Logic : Develop and implement state machines, animation systems, and AI logic for a variety of creatures.
  
• Seeking and Implementing Feedback : Actively seek feedback from leadership, peers, and playtests to improve creature design.
  
• Adhering to Technical Constraints : Ensure the implementation of all creature mechanics adheres to the project's technical constraints, optimizing performance while maintaining design integrity.
  

Who you are :

• You have a minimum of 2 years of experience in combat design, with a particular focus on creature mechanics, delivering engaging and dynamic gameplay.
  
• You have a portfolio / reel showcasing examples of your creature combat design, demonstrating your ability to implement behaviors and create memorable encounters.
  
• You have a strong technical understanding and experience with Unreal Engine (UE4 / UE5), especially in animation systems and state machines, ensuring smooth creature interactions within the game.
  
• You are proficient with scripting languages like Blueprints, using them to implement systems and mechanics that bring gameplay to life.
  
• You have solid knowledge of creature and combat mechanics, including AI behaviors and animation fundamentals, crafting systems that are both functional and immersive.
  
• You have experience working with 3D game engines and understand game production pipelines, ensuring that your work fits within the larger development process.
  
• You have excellent communication skills, ensuring smooth collaboration and clear articulation of ideas across teams.
  
• You are able to iterate and implement quickly without compromising quality, balancing the need for efficiency with the importance of delivering polished gameplay.
  
• You actively seek and incorporate feedback, striving to achieve the highest quality work and continuous improvement.
  
• You are highly adaptable, able to adjust quickly to changes in project demands or direction and thrive in evolving creative environments.
  
• You are a self-starter, highly motivated, and capable of working with minimal supervision while maintaining focus and delivering results.
  

Bonus XP :

• Animation experience, especially related to creature behaviors
  
• Shipped a AA/AAA title
  

Fully remote is possible, only in EU time zone, although ability to be on-site is preferred.

Resume , website , cover letter

A l'attention de : Responsable du recrutement