2K Games is looking for talented people who are passionate about games to fill the following roles in its Northern California office in Novato.

If you would like to apply, please send your CV (and sample code or demo reel when appropriate) to Brooke Grabrian: brooke.grabrian@2kgames.com

We are looking for mad scientist who can bring the deranged souls of Bioshock 2 to life. As a Character TD/Rigger at 2K Marin, you will be responsible for creating high resolution facial rigs as well as developing lower resolution in-game characters setups. You will create scripts to improve shading, modeling and animation workflow. You will setup up physics systems to help bring ragdoll and secondary character animations to life. Overall, you will be a big part in architecting the broad palette of freaks required to make our game world compelling and richly layered. Come and embrace your inner Frankenstein.

Job Responsibilities:

• Create high resolution facial rigs that utilize joint and blendshape/morph target nodes.
• Create efficient and flexible full body character setups
• Create Maxscripts to improve, shading, rigging and animation workflows
• Setup up ragdoll and cloth simulation rigs
• Debug and refine our motion capture pipeline
• Develop runtime mesh and texture blending techniques
• Collaborate with concept artists and character modelers

Required Skills

• Shipped title as a character TD or character rigger
• Deep understanding of anatomy and human kinetics
• Experience creating a wide variety of character rigs in 3ds Max
• Strong ability with Maxscript
• Strong animation foundation
• Create rigs that are extremely flexible, consistent and easy-to-use
• Ability to collaborate with peer-level character modelers and game designers
• Ability to take direction well
• Able to respond elegantly to difficult creative changes, often late in the process
• Self-motivated towards solving creative problems
• Able to communicate animation concepts with other artists visually using quick thumbnail sketches or acting

Extra Credit

• Mastery of 3D Studio Max
• Experience with Havok
• Experience with the Unreal Engine
• Experience with motion capture data
• 3+ years game industry experience

If you made the most awesome flip-books when you were a kid and were undeterred by the unimaginative people who told you that you could never do that for a living, but you continued to refine them until they intersected with computers and you actually started to pay the rent, you might be just who we're looking for. As an animator with 2K Marin, you would be responsible for animating characters using a combination of keyframe animation and motion capture editing. You will work with our Lead Animator to figure out how best to tackle thousands of animations and transitions for multiple in-game characters. Additionally, you will interpret storyboards and animate them for action-packed and emotionally engaging narrative cut-scenes. You will probably also make faces and do silly walks in front of a mirror.

Job Responsibilities:

• Create in-game physical animation
• Create performance animation for cut scenes
• Interpret storyboards and produce animatics
• Assist Lead Animator in directing motion-capture sessions
• Create keyframe animation
• Clean-up and edit motion capture data
• Organize complicated sets of animation data
• Rig characters for animation
• Collaborate with Concept Artist and Character Modelers

Required Skills:

• 3D character animation experience
• Experience with FK/IK switching, constraints, and facial rigs
• Mesh skinning/vertex weighting experience
• Ability to collaborate with peer-level Character Modelers and Game Designers
• Ability to take direction well
• Able to respond elegantly to difficult creative changes, often late in the process
• Self-motivated towards solving creative problems
• Able to communicate animation concepts with other artists visually using quick thumbnail sketches or acting

Extra Credit:

• Experience creating storyboards
• Experience editing motion-capture animation data
• Experience with the Unreal Engine
• Experience with Havok
• Fluency with 3D Studio Max and Photoshop
• Fluency with Maxscript and facial rigging
• 2+ years game industry experience
• Strong 2D Animation skills
• Acting background
• Fine Art background
• Martial Arts experience

Did you wile away your "misspent" youth doing custom mods of action figures? Were you modeling sinewy quadriceps with Sculpy while your buddies were content to create bad Mr. Bill replicas with Play-Doh? Now, as a fully realized superhero of character modeling, do you deftly defy the dastardly domain known as the… Uncanny Valley? As senior character modeler with 2K Marin, you will be responsible for modeling and texturing the tortured characters of Bioshock 2 using a combination of high res modeling and shading tools. That, and you'll get to fill your desk with lovingly placed vignettes of limited edition Sideshow Collectibles.

Job Responsibilities:

• Create high resolution and game resolution 3d character models
• Create character textures and shaders
• Create weapons and character related props
• Mentor team members
• Organize model and texture libraries
• Collaborate with the art director, lead animator and character team

Required Skills

• Extremely strong modeling skills, preferably in 3ds Max
• Experience with Zbrush and/or Mudbox
• Experience creating high resolution textures in Photoshop
• Shipped next-gen games as a character modeler
• Deep understanding of anatomy
• Ability to take on large and complex tasks and self-manage on time delivery of those tasks.
• Able to respond elegantly to difficult creative changes, often late in the process
• Self-motivated towards solving creative problems
• Able to communicate modeling concepts with other artists visually using quick thumbnail sketches or acting

Extra Credit

• Experience creating practical models and maquettes
• Experience creating blend shapes/morph targets
• Experience with the Unreal Engine
• Experience with Havok
• 5+ years game and/or film industry experience
• Fine Art background
• Martial Arts experience

Love. It is a primal, uncultured energy, shaping you in ways that reason can't touch. Kind of a gushy, melodramatic word to paint on a NOW HIRING sign, right?

Sure - but for you, this is an emotional science. Games have changed you, and now you're just itching to return the favor. Maybe the raw potential of simulated experience fascinated you, or the rules and dynamics of play managed to reach into your skull and grab hold in ways that other media couldn't. However the mark was made, you've been a game designer ever since.

But all love has a price. Games make you a little crazy from time to time, because you know how much better they could be. We know how you feel. Come play with us.

Responsibilities:

• Primary ownership for the design, prototyping and fostering of one or more core gameplay systems, including player mechanics, world simulation and / or AI
• Lead, coordinate and participate in collaborative, interdisciplinary sub-teams to implement and balance gameplay features from initial design to final polish
• Author, revise and provide feedback on internal design documentation, including feature specifications and implementation guides
• Collaborate with the design team to incorporate systems into level gameplay and maintain overall balance between multiple gameplay systems
• Continually iterate, balance and tune features and gameplay based on feedback from design leads, QA and playtesting

Qualifications:

Education / Experience:

• 3+ Years of game development experience, ideally in a systems design capacity
• Previous experience with gameplay scripting or programming languages
• At least one shipped title in the current generation of consoles

Skills:

• Superb written and oral communication skills
• Strong ability to deconstruct high level gameplay systems and creative direction into specific technical details, features and tasks
• Ability to work in highly collaborative, interdisciplinary, iterative environment, while delivering under deadlines and time constraints
• Exhaustive knowledge of competitive products and industry trends
• Ability to learn new software tools and technologies. Previous experience with Unreal a plus.

Love. It is a primal, uncultured energy, shaping you in ways that reason can't touch. Kind of a gushy, melodramatic word to paint on a NOW HIRING sign, right?

Sure - but for you, this is an emotional science. Games have changed you, and now you're just itching to return the favor. Maybe the raw potential of simulated experience fascinated you, or the rules and dynamics of play managed to reach into your skull and grab hold in ways that other media couldn't. However the mark was made, you've been a game designer ever since.

But all love has a price. Games make you a little crazy from time to time, because you know how much better they could be. We know how you feel. Come play with us.

Responsibilities

• Take on primary creative responsibility for the design and execution of one or more sequences of play.
• Implement original game content using in-house tools.
• Contribute, as a member of the design team, to discussions covering feature design, event scripting, high concept and product positioning, narrative and backstory, systems tuning and game balance.
• Create and maintain internal design documentation for levels.
• Integrate feedback from design leads, focus tests and the QA group.
• Lead or participate in cross-disciplinary implementation teams involving some combination of artists, programmers and producers.
• Coordinate with the production group to maintain a consistent rate of output, schedule current and future tasks, and estimate time costs associated with deliverables.
• Play both internal and competing products regularly and provide comparative analysis.

Qualifications:

Education and experience:

• Previous experience with a gameplay scripting language or high level programming language.
• At least two shipped titles.
• Experience working with last and current generation game console technology.
• Unreal Engine experience a plus.

Skills:

• Very strong creative and problem solving skills.
• Strong communication and project management skills.
• Ability to learn new software tools and technologies.
• Ability to work in a team setting, under deadlines and time constraints.

Got what it takes to produce a cutting-edge AAA title? Be part of our passionate team and strive for excellence.

2K Games seeks the talents of a seasoned and passionate programmer who enjoys a collaborative and creative work environment and is looking to work with like minded professionals to create a truly amazing game.

Summary: Develop, write, implement, and debug code for new and upgraded software products.

Job Responsibilities:

• Write code that fulfills the functional, graphic and technical requirements of the project.
• Participate in the design of products and perform some testing activities.
• Provide the Lead Programmer with feedback regarding the time allotted to assigned tasks.
• Program tools and utilities to support work on projects.
• Develop and maintain plug-ins and stand-alone applications used in the creation and preprocessing of geometry, textures, animation data, scripts, etc.
• Work with proprietary existing software technology and build new technology in order to fulfill the project’s technical requirements.
• Adhere to the project’s coding standards.
• Research coding techniques and algorithms in order to keep current on technological developments and advancements in the game industry.
• Identify technical and developmental risks/obstacles and generate solutions to overcome identified risks.

Required Experience and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, related discipline, or relevant work experience.
• Expertise with the C/C++ programming language along with a strong familiarity with OO design principles.
• 2+ years of programming experience on commercial software projects.
• Commitment to code quality, documentation and sound testing procedures.
• Ability to learn and master new technologies and code.
• Ability to work independently and efficiently under deadlines.

• Experience developing for next-generation game consoles (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii).
• One or more shipped PC or console game titles, FPS or RPG titles .
• Experience working with the Unreal Engine.
• Experience working on multi-platform software projects.

Is creating amazing and immersive soundscapes your passion? Looking for a great working environment that appreciates the subtle emotion and raw thrills that incredible audio can bring to the gaming experience?

2K Games is proud of its reputation for releasing games with award-winning, high-quality sound design. This is a unique opportunity help us continue to raise the bar with our future products. As Audio Director of 2K Marin, you will be responsible for all the audio components of all of 2K Marin’s products including in-game sound effects, music, and VO. You will oversee the in-house team to develop these resources, work with external contractors, and, of course, get to create some yourself. If you have several years experience in the games industry as an Audio Director, a love for creating great sounds, and a desire to excel in your field, then we may have a job for you!

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with game producers and designers to form a clear vision for the audioscapes of 2K Marin’s titles.
• Analyze the audio requirements of current and upcoming titles on all platforms, and clearly define any necessary additions or modifications to the existing audio pipeline(s).
• Schedule and manage asset lists to make sure all milestone requirements are met.
• Hire and supervise external contractors to deliver quality assets.
• Generate assets including music and/or sound effects.
• Integrate and supervise integration of assets into the games.
• Oversee the final mix of all in-game and cut-scene assets.

• At least five years working in sound for interactive entertainment products.
• At least one shipped title in the role of Audio Director.
• Expert working knowledge of current audio design hardware and software.
• Ability to work creatively and flexibly to maximize the effectiveness of existing audio tools and capabilities.
• Ability to communicate clearly about audio design and integration tool issues.
• Ability to critique and direct production of voice samples, music and other assets.
• Experience overseeing contractors and other audio technicians.

• Musical composition and recording skills.
• Experience casting and directing professional voice actors.

To apply for this position you should submit:

• Resume indicating relevant experience.
• A portfolio of game sounds and/or music as appropriate. If in-game, be sure to identify which components you were responsible for.

Applicants for this position must be in or willing to relocate to Novato, CA.k

Got what it takes to help drive a cutting-edge AAA title? Be part of our dedicated team and strive for excellence.

2K Marin seeks the talents of a seasoned, yet passionate, technical director who enjoys a collaborative and creative work environment and is looking to work with like-minded professionals to create truly amazing experiences.

Summary:

Responsibilities:

• Maintain overall code quality; ensuring that code is cross platform, reusable, and testable.
• Proactively identify the tools and processes that will be needed throughout development.
• Lead and manage the core technology team, helping to drive rendering and core engine improvements.
• Be responsible for the overall technical design direction of the project, influencing and approving overall architecture.
• Ensure the overall performance of the project is up to minimum standards, define metrics, and sets targets.
• Oversee all internal and external project dependencies, risks and critical paths while ensuring contingency plans are in place.
• Recommend solutions, and approve plans and timelines, while understanding overall impact to all stakeholders.
• Review programming code for quality, consistency, and compliance with the TDD and established protocol.
• Identify technical problems, and work with producers, leads and other directors to solve them.
• Keep up with current advances in technology and propose new innovations that may benefit the project.
• Provide troubleshooting, debugging and problem-solving assistance to members of the programming team.
• Work closely with other directors and leads to ensure cooperation between the design, programming and art disciplines.

• Master's degree in Computer Science, related discipline, or relevant work experience.
• Expertise with the C/C++ programming language along with a strong familiarity with OO design principles.
• 8+ years of programming experience on commercial software projects.
• 2+ shipped titles with management or lead responsibilities, specifically in the game industry.
• Commitment to code quality, documentation and sound testing procedures.
• In-depth working knowledge of several core engine systems, i.e. graphics, animation, audio, etc.
• Ability to lead, manage, and mentor the work of others.
• Excellent project management and time management skills.

• Experience developing for next-generation game consoles (PS3, XBOX 360, Wii).
• 4+ shipped PC or console titles on FPS or RPG games.
• Experience working with external development teams.
• Experience with Unreal Engine development.
• Experience working on multi-platform software projects.

Love. It is a primal, uncultured energy, shaping you in ways that reason can’t touch. Kind of a gushy, melodramatic word to paint on a NOW HIRING sign, right?

Sure – but for you, this is an emotional science. Games have changed you, and now you’re just itching to return the favor. Maybe the raw potential of simulated experience fascinated you, or the rules and dynamics of play managed to reach into your skull and grab hold in ways that other media couldn’t. However the mark was made, you’ve been a game designer ever since.

But all love has a price. Games make you a little crazy from time to time, because you know how much better they could be. We know how you feel. Come play with us.

SUMMARY: Design and implement innovative and compelling play experiences, individually and collaboratively.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Contribute regularly to ongoing discussions covering feature design, scenario or event scripting, high concept and product positioning, fiction and mythos, or systems tuning and game balance
• Directly implement original game content in one or more of the above categories using both proprietary and commercial tools
• Take creative responsibility for the design and execution of one or more sequences of play such as a level, world region, or scenario
• Author or revise internal design documentation, including feature specifications, internal content walk-through guides, and product post-mortem analyses
• Integrate feedback from design leads, focus tests, and the QA group
• Play and evaluate both internal and competing products regularly and provide comparative analysis
• Lead or participate in cross-disciplinary implementation teams involving artists, programmers, and / or producers
• Coordinate with the production group to maintain a consistent rate of output, schedule current and future tasks, and estimate time costs associated with deliverables

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and experience:

• Previous experience with a gameplay scripting language or high level programming language.
• Experience working with recent generation game console technology (Xbox, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2 or PLAYSTATION 3) and PLAYSTATION 3 experience is required.
• Unreal Engine 3 experience preferred.
• Previous basic 3DSMax and Photoshop experience is desired.

• Must have strong creative and problem solving skills.
• Strong communication and project management skills.
• Ability to learn new software tools and technologies.
• Ability to work in a team setting, under deadlines and time constraints.

So...when you were a kid, and you were building forts, did you prefer to use scotch tape or the family's World Book Encyclopedia volumes to hold the blankets and sheets in place? Would you be excited to build a fort that was supposed to be a space station? How about an Art-Deco Utopian metropolis at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean? We are recruiting Level Builders to help us build levels for our next, unannounced project. Our Level Architects will work with a Level Designer and a Level Modeler to brainstorm, concept, and create levels for a next-gen console game project.

As a Level Architect, you will be responsible for managing the artistic side of individual level construction as well as modeling and texturing architectural and decorative assets to assemble your level with. You will be paired with a Level Modeler who will be assigned to help you with modeling and texturing as the level construction process progresses. Finally, you will light and optimize your level. If you love building forts and you play well with others, we wanna talk to you. Oh yeah, we use Unreal and 3D Studio Max these days instead of bed sheets and Scotch tape.

Job Responsibilities:

• Function as part of a three-person team tasked with building large levels for a next-gen console title: Level Builder, Level Modeler, and Level Designer
• Collaborate with and task your paired Level Modeler in asset creation
• Sketch/Paint/Concept ideas for 3D game locations
• Work out the details and concept modular systems of architecture for levels
• Produce 3D architectural assets in 3D Studio Max
• Layout and light final levels in Unreal
• Optimize final levels for performance
• Work with Level Designer to make gameplay and 3D space function harmoniously
• Work with Art director, Lead Artist to ensure artistic unity with the entire project

Required Skills:

• Possess a wealth of experience modeling and lighting assets and spaces for games
• Able to collaborate with production staff from other departments on a peer level
• Able to collaborate with and task more junior members of the art department
• Can take direction well
• Able to respond elegantly to difficult creative changes, often late in the process
• Self-motivated towards solving creative problems
• Able to communicate with other artists visually using quick thumbnail sketches or paintings
• Understand game-related concepts related to 3D space and possess a keen interest in the medium of videogames

Extra Credit:

• Experience with the Unreal Engine
• Fluency with 3D Studio Max and Photoshop
• Background in architecture or lighting
• 3+ years game industry experience

At 2K Marin, we believe that a producer's job is to bring out the best in the team, enabling them to do great work by anticipating and resolving problems, preventing confusion and delay, setting an example of dedication and talent, and acting as a provider of tasty treats.

Job Responsibilities:

• Manage relationship with external development team(s) from concept through completion
• Identify risks and put in place risk management strategies for internal and external development.
• Handle publisher-side production coordination for areas such as focus testing, outsourcing, QA, localization, packaging, third party development.
• Work with leads and stakeholders on an internal team to build quality-focused and cost-aware project plans
• Maintain and update project schedules to reflect current project realities
• Devise and establish development and company processes that nurture, challenge, and grow the team to reach their highest potential.
• Clearly communicate tasks and responsibilities to staff and external contractors.
• Facilitate communication and cooperation within the project team and between internal and external teams.
• Collaborate with team leads and goal-based “strike teams” to triage, prioritize, and delegate project tasks
• Manage development across time zones and studios to find the most graceful solutions to the personal and management challenge of coordinating teams.
• Travel for short periods of time to external studios.
• Coordinate with leads and HR staff in order to grow the studio to take on new challenges and expand its development expertise and capacity.

Qualifications:

Education and experience:

• 3+ years experience in the games industry.
• Demonstrated ability to lead the development of great products, both critically and commercially.
• Shipped at least 2 titles in a producer, development director, or project lead role.
• Experience managing external development projects
• Experience shipping console game titles including dealing with manufacturer approval processes.
• Experience with scheduling tools and managing a project budget.
• Experience managing conflict.
• Experience in risk analysis and mitigation.
• Experience managing a large scale software development project desired.
• Experience with agile development methodology desired.

Skills:

• Excellent project management skills and verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent people skills including the ability to motivate people and inspire their creative talents.
• Good negotiating skills and ability to maintain a professional bearing both internally and with clients.
• Strong problem solving skills.