Combat Designer

We are Fatshark

We are a critically acclaimed Swedish game development studio with about 180 experienced and skilled employees. We are best known for developing the Warhammer: Vermintide and Warhammer 40,000: Darktide franchises, and have also contributed to the development of several AAA titles.

We have grown quite a bit over the last few years and are almost two-hundred “Sharks” now, but we still embrace the same values that we started with. Come into our world, a world known for our crazy internally designed socks, hackweeks, and Friday afternoons for studio-wide “social play” time. It all adds up to an approachable, fun, passion-driven yet communal environment for us to work in.

The role

Are you a seasoned game designer with a passion for crafting engaging combat systems? We are seeking a talented Combat Game Designer to join our team, enhancing the experience in Darktide and contributing to future projects.

Fatshark is renowned for creating leading first-person melee combat experiences. We believe in the power of collaboration and include all team members in the decision-making process. At Fatshark, we foster a creative environment where art, design, gameplay, and sound unite to craft unforgettable experiences. Your teamwork and feedback will be crucial in shaping the games we create.

What we offer

Here at Fatshark, we do what we love most: design high-profile games for PCs and consoles. We offer you:

• A playful, friendly and inclusive work place
• Hands-on production environment with an emphasis on cooperative/multiplayer games
• Opportunities for personal growth with varied projects, experienced co-workers and recurring hack weeks/days
• Developing games with our own engine - Stingray
• Regulated flex time and paid overtime
• Occupational pension
• Health benefits and health check ups
• Bonus program
• Dog friendly office located in central Stockholm

What you'll do

• Design and Evolve: Innovate and refine core player mechanics and combat systems, including movement, weapons, and enemies
• Collaborate and Create: Work closely with the team to develop new weapons, enemies, and classes that enhance the gameplay experience
• Contribute Expertise: Bring your knowledge from contemporary action games or first-person shooters to current and future projects
• Balance and Tweak: Maintain a keen understanding of the game's meta to balance and adjust combat systems (weapons, talents, blessings, and perks) ensuring a dynamic and engaging player experience

Required qualifications

• More than 5 years of experience as a professional game designer
• Demonstrable skills in core mechanics design, particularly second-to-second combat/action
• Experience working on first-person shooter games
• Significant contributions to the development of one or more shipped games for PC and/or Consoles
• Strong scripting knowledge (LUA)
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills
• Proven ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks
• Strong collaborative skills with other team members

Bonus qualifications

• Shipped at least one AAA or equivalent game
• Deep knowledge of multiplayer and/or cooperative games
• Background or education in game design theory/ludology
• Experience with programming and/or visual scripting
• Proficiency in LUA
• Experience working with character state machines and behavior systems
• MOD development experience
• Familiarity with Vermintide and Darktide and their core mechanics
• Strong interest in Warhammer

Application details

We are following the policy of working 4 days in the office per week, with 1 day option to work from home. The onboarding is being done fully in the office.

We look forward to review applications and will be interviewing candidates continuously until the position has been filled.

Location: Stockholm (on-site)
Start: ASAP 2024
Form of Employment: permanent, full-time