Game Networking Engineer
1 month ago
Aspyr Media, Inc. is an independent, full-service developer and publisher for the industry's leading games. Over the last 25 years, Aspyr has helped nearly 200 games reach their next level across all platforms and beyond expectations.
Founded in 1996, Aspyr Media, Inc. got its start in Austin, TX by bringing the biggest PC gaming franchises such as Call of Duty, Sid Meier’s Civilization and Star Wars to Mac. Today, Aspyr is a video game publishing and development partner focused on maximizing the potential of games. We find the world's best games and connect them to new audiences, on all platforms.
Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Manager of Engineering, the Game Networking Engineer is responsible for developing and maintaining network infrastructure for our games, ensuring seamless multiplayer experiences and robust server capabilities. This includes designing, developing, and debugging networking systems for multiplayer games, including setting up dedicated host servers, porting forward/NAT traversal, and matchmaking servers.
The ideal Game Networking Engineer has experience with networking, C++, and source control, along with experience communicating cross-departmentally, as this role will work with game design,and publishing to create seamless multiplayer setups. Additionally, the candidate should be able to work with producers and other engineers to assimilate their pieces with the rest of the project.
Essential Functions:
- Design, develop, and maintain networking systems for multiplayer games, including setting up dedicated host servers, port forwarding/NAT traversal, and matchmaking servers
- Collaborate with game designers, artists, and other engineers to integrate networking features into gameplay mechanics, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable multiplayer experience
- Implement and optimize network protocols and algorithms to minimize latency and enhance player interactions
- Work with cloud-based services, especially AWS, to deploy and manage game servers, ensuring scalability and reliability
- Implement and maintain backend services for features such as leaderboards, player profiles, and in-game purchases
- Troubleshoot and resolve networking issues, including server outages, latency problems, and synchronization errors
- Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in game networking, recommending and implementing best practices to enhance the overall player experience
- Collaborate with external partners, such as Photon Engine, to integrate their technologies into our games effectively
Preferred Qualifications:
- Proven experience in game networking, with a focus on setting up dedicated host servers, porting, and matchmaking servers
- Experience with modern game platforms (Windows, Xbox, Playstation, Switch)
- Strong programming skills in languages such as C++, C#, or Java, with a focus on networking-related development
- Familiarity with networking solutions for game engines such as Unreal and Unity.
- Experience with cloud services, particularly AWS, and the ability to deploy, configure, and monitor game servers in a cloud environment
- Familiarity with multiplayer networking concepts, such as client-server architecture, synchronization, and latency optimization
- Knowledge of networking protocols and standards, including TCP/IP, UDP, and WebSocket.
- Collaborative team player and problem solver
- Proficiency in Agile/Scrum development
Aspyr is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Aspyr are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Aspyr will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Aspyr encourages applicants of all ages.