Senior Combat Game Designer

People Can Fly Studio

Senior Combat Game Designer at People Can Fly, creating gameplay for AAA combat games over 20+ years. Collaborating across disciplines and exploring innovative game development trends.

Posted 4/14/2026full-timeRemote • 🇨🇦 CanadaSeniorWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Lua

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Create and prototype gameplay ideas for core and emergent combat mechanics and systems, fighting characters, their feel, behaviors, abilities, and encounters across a variety of contexts
Implement close-combat fighter characters with animations and behaviors using state machines, behavior trees, visual and sound effects, plus arena-style combat setups and pacing, using the provided level-design tools and various scripting systems
Produce design documents, content briefs, system descriptions, and other materials to share all necessary information with the relevant teams
Collaborate across multiple disciplines, ensuring the right partners are involved and informed throughout the development process
Stay current with industry trends, including emerging game genres, new design methods and techniques, and the latest advances in audiovisual excellence
Work with a high degree of autonomy and initiative and contribute to shaping the combat design team’s objectives

Requirements

What you’ll need

Minimum 5 years of experience in AAA game production for consoles and PC
At least 2 years of experience shipping third-person close-combat games, in roles related to AI, combat, or systems design
Proficiency with at least one game editor; experience with multiple engines is a plus
Exceptional ability to conceptualize, present, and implement game systems and features using a variety of tools, technologies, and visual scripting languages
Clear understanding of creative and game development processes
Excellent spoken and written communication skills in English
Proven track record of creating engaging and fun gameplay, scenarios, and encounters
Motivated, hard-working team player who is willing to give and receive feedback and critique
Passion for combat-focused games (action-adventure with third-person combat or combat-heavy RPGs)
Experience with scripting (visual and/or text-based) to support avatar behaviors, combat actions, and hero state-machine-driven actions
Fluency in English is required due to regular interactions with stakeholders and partners outside Quebec
Knowledge of the Lua scripting language is an asset
Good understanding of action-adventure genre design, player psychology, and new industry trends
Familiarity with Maya, 3ds Max, or similar 3D software
Knowledge of JIRA, Confluence, and Perforce Client (P4V)

Benefits

Comp & perks

A benefits package fully paid by People Can Fly
The insurance provider reimburses claims at 100% (up to $1,000 of services per year, in addition to family or individual coverage)
Comprehensive dental coverage, including dental care
Employer RRSP contribution equal to 4% before tax deductions, 100% vested from day one
One week of paid time off during the winter holidays
20 days of paid vacation and 5 paid sick days
Free virtual health and mental-wellness care sessions included in the plan for members and their dependents
Opportunities for personal development and the chance to work in a global environment
The opportunity to work within a creative team of people who are passionate about what they do

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

gameplay designcombat mechanicsstate machinesbehavior treesvisual scriptingscriptingLua3D modelinggame systems designAI design

Soft Skills

communication skillsteam playerinitiativeconceptualizationfeedbackcollaborationcreativityproblem-solvingmotivationadaptability