AI/Combat Game Designer (PC/Console, UE5)

Nekki is a game development studio with over 20 years of experience. We create games for mobile, PC, and consoles, focusing on product quality and player experience.
The Shadow Fight series and Vector have been downloaded over 1 billion times, and we continue to grow and support these franchises. At the same time, we’re building new titles: SPINE and Fight Me.

We are currently looking for a Game Designer to join the Core Game Design team of our new PC/Console project – SPINE.
Depending on your experience and strengths, your primary focus will be either combat design or gameplay AI design. You do not need to be an expert in both areas. We are interested in designers who can take ownership of gameplay features, implement their ideas in Unreal Engine, and turn prototypes into polished player-facing experiences.

SPINE is made with Unreal Engine 5 and centered around cinematic gun-fu shootouts. It's a third-person beat'em'up with a full set of PC gaming features, including a deep storyline, a unique setting, cutscenes, intriguing enemies, memorable bosses, character progression, and, most importantly, breathtaking battles with a wide array of firearms.

Responsibilities:

• Design, prototype, implement, and iterate on moment-to-moment gameplay features that consistently align with the game's core vision and combat direction

• Translate the project's high-level vision and combat direction into clear mechanics, rules, parameters, and actionable implementation plans

• Build and tune gameplay directly in Unreal Engine 5 using Blueprints and project-specific tools

• Own features from initial concept and prototype through testing, refinement, and final implementation

• Create and maintain clear design documentation, diagrams, tuning tables, and implementation specifications

• Organize and participate in playtests, evaluate feedback, and use the results to improve gameplay

• Identify gameplay issues, investigate their causes, and propose practical solutions

• Collaborate with other disciplines to ensure that gameplay, animation, visuals, sound, levels, and technology work together as a cohesive experience

• Maintain a strong understanding of the overall combat experience and proactively raise risks, inconsistencies, and opportunities for improvement

What we are looking for:

• At least 2 years of professional game design experience
• Hands-on experience designing gameplay for action, combat-focused, or other real-time 3D games
• Practical experience implementing and tuning features in Unreal Engine 4 or 5
• A solid understanding of moment-to-moment gameplay, player feedback, readability, difficulty, and game feel
• Ability to take ownership of a feature and move it from concept to a playable, polished result
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly through documentation, diagrams, prototypes, and discussions
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to give, receive, and act on feedback
• A genuine interest in action games and a strong understanding of modern third-person combat
• English sufficient for day-to-day communication with an international development team

Would be a plus:

• Experience working with animation-driven combat systems

• Experience designing melee combat, firearms, or systems that combine the two

• Experience developing enemy archetypes, bosses, group tactics, or combat encounters

We offer:

• A great team with a friendly and informal work environment (we share colleagues' interests, play video games together, and organize internal game jams)

• Support of professional development, participation in specialized conferences and educational events

• Remote work from all over the world

• Working hours from 10 AM to 7 PM (GMT+3) with possibility of adjustment

• Competitive salary (depending on professional qualifications)