Lead Character & Combat Systems Programmer - Engineering - Multiplayer Action
9 days ago
Why Firesprite?
Founded in 2012 by a group of creative and management veterans with years of industry experience, Firesprite is a visionary game development studio based in the heart of Liverpool’s vibrant game development hub with over 200 team members.
Creating a number of showcase games for PlayStation console and peripheral launches over the years, Firesprite’s core focus is developing innovative and memorable experiences for players on cutting edge gaming hardware. At Firesprite, the end player experience always comes first and the team is passionate about how to best combine the disciplines of design, art and code to deliver games that surprise and delight.
A visionary game development studio founded in 2012, Firesprite builds innovative showcase titles for PlayStation platforms as part of the PlayStation Studios family.
Would you enjoy the freedom to create AAA games working from anywhere in the UK, including our Liverpool studio?
We are looking for a Lead Characters and Combat Systems Programmer to join the early development of a new, AAA, Unreal 5 multiplayer action game. This bold project aims to break new ground in multiplayer, blending gameplay mechanics in new ways and deeply embedding storytelling elements into a unique universe. We’re building an elite, diverse first-party team and this is your opportunity to help shape a future blockbuster!
As a Lead Character and Combat Systems Programmer, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining state-of-the art locomotion and combat systems and lead a team of highly skilled programmers. You will be a Line Manager and responsible for the development and well-being of your programming team. Lead programmers are expected to be hands-on and be able to balance their day-to-day programming tasks alongside the line management tasks as necessary, taking full ownership of systems design and delivery while delegating amongst their team as appropriate.
Key Responsibilities
- Communicate and work closely with the wider team to translate design goals into AAA core gameplay systems.
- Facilitate the prototyping, implementation, iteration and polishing of new and existing locomotion and combat mechanics and associated gameplay systems.
- Play a huge part in all relevant gameplay areas to create state-of-the-art systems.
- Report to your Line Manager on the delivery of the Technical and Gameplay goals of the locomotion and combat systems and tasks.
- Respond to design feedback to help meet the creative vision of the game.
- Provide constructive input to and feedback on potential new features during the initial design, prototyping, iteration, and polish stages.
- Line Management of your team including mentoring of junior staff.
- Work with your team development manager to ensure correct scheduling and timely delivery of systems.
Requirements:
- Strong knowledge of, and experience of programming in C++
- Strong knowledge of OOP and design patterns
- Strong knowledge of locomotion systems such as root motion warping, motion matching, traversal detection.
- Experience with profiling and optimizing CPU performance of real-time game systems.
- Strong confidence working with 3D maths, vectors, matrices and linear algebra.
- Prior experience in a similar role, ideally with at least one shipped title.
Additional Desirable Skills:
- Knowledge of multiplayer game architecture is highly desirable.
- Experience of Console development.
- Knowledge of Unreal Engine animation blueprints.
Firesprite is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, with a commitment to a culture of inclusion and mutual respect for all employees from every walk of life, reflecting the community we make games for. We welcome and encourage applications from all suitable applicants regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
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