Associate Game Designer

Are you an avid gamer interested in designing awesome games? Stardock is currently seeking a talented Associate Designer to create and implement gameplay systems in new and existing franchises. The ideal candidate has experience in evaluating game mechanics and designing 4X strategy games, has a passion for the art of balancing and pacing in games, is not afraid of scripting, and loves PC strategy and simulation games. This is a salaried, full-time position at our Plymouth, Michigan office.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

• Translate high-level product goals into fun game mechanics in collaboration with the team.
• Use in-house tools and editors to implement game mechanics.
• Script events, AI behaviors, and game mechanics.
• Balance gameplay and resolve gameplay bugs. 
• Develop and interpret design documents.
• Engage in playtesting, adapting design based on feedback.
• Stay abreast of trends in PC strategy games.
  

Education and/or Experience Desired:

• Bachelor's Degree in Game Design, Computer Science or relevant field.
• Passion for PC strategy and simulation games and an understanding of their mechanics.
• Familiarity/interest in history, anthropology, science fiction.
• Technical enough to use in-house tools and editors for implementing design elements.
• Well developed writing and communication skills.
• Solid communication skills with colleagues, management, and stakeholders.
• Able to read, update, and write design documents.
• LUA scripting, XML, or programming experience (or willingness to learn).
• Established understanding of existing Stardock franchises preferred (i.e. Sins of a Solar Empire, Galactic Civilizations, etc.).