Monday 3 June 2013

Hiring: Gameplay Programmer / Designer

Frictional Games is once again looking for someone to join our ranks! This time we are looking for a Gameplay Programmer / Designer to employ full-time.

We are currently working on a new, currently super secret, horror game where we aim to take what we learned from Amnesia to the next level. This is what you will be a part of creating.


A core feature of our games are atmospheric and immersive game worlds. You will be crafting these in collaboration with other members of the team, making sure that gameplay is smooth, that narrative works  and that the right themes are evoked.  It is very creative work, but it also require someone who is not afraid to tweak and test a lot.

Instead of building everything around a fun core mechanic, our games derive most of their engagement from interaction with the world. Every scene is a sort of mini-game. This requires you to be at home with both programming and design. We do not require any extremely deep programming knowledge, but need you to feel comfortable at implementing a variety of gameplay in a 3D game.

More specific tasks include:
  • Implementing world events and activities based on a basic design document.
  • Adding and updating core gameplay features.
  • Code basic AI behavior for the creatures encountered,
  • To help out with the basic world and narrative design.
Of great importance is that fact that you will be working from home. Frictional Games does not have an office, so it is crucial that you are able to plan your day, and work without strict guidance.

Apart from this we also require the following:
  • That you live in Europe or able to move here.
  • Fluent in  English.
  • Have played a major role in completing at least one game.
  • Are well-versed in C++, C#, Java or similar.
  • Have worked on a game taking place in 3D.
  • Have a fast and stable internet connection.
Additional but non-essential requirements:
  • You are interested in design, especially for immersive/narrative focused games.
  • Have interest in sci-fi and horror.
  • Skills in 3D modelling.
  • Used to working in Unreal editor or similar.
If this sounds like something for you, send your CV to jobs@frictionalgames.com now!

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36 comments:

  1. So... you're next game will have sci-fi elements. Good!
    I wish I could work with you guys. But I have to make my studies and I have no experience in working with people and computers.
    By the way... good luck on your next project.

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  2. Best luck finding someone suitable!

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  3. Wow. I didnt know , that Frictional Games does not have an office.

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  4. I just want to be part of you guys(frictional games).I am a gameplay programmer.I have experience with scripting and game design.

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  5. Sexy, looking forward to this game already :)

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  6. Dude, I have so many good feels for this secret game of yours. SO MANY FEELS.

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  7. If you are looking for a web designer I would be glad to help out(as a hobby/spare time)! I remember I ask in the forum when Penumbra was new. :)

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  8. already planning a new game when aamf isn't finished/released yet...

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    Replies
    1. Frictional are not the ones making aamf.

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    2. This game has been in the works sense before aamfp also.

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  9. Wow, FG grows even further. Can't wait to see what you'll be able to accomplish with more manpower. Also great to see you're returning a bit to the sci-fi feeling of Penumbra (it wasn't really sci-fi but the concept art so far hints at a similar atmosphere of coldness, loneliness, and being deep down somewhere like in Penumbra).

    Also want to remind you that we were promised a second blog post about color management by your engine programmer back in September. Some technical posts once in a while would be nice.

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  10. You can also try to contact an artist. Like this one for example :
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IOlFErpr-8
    There is a link to his site in the description.

    BTW, why you demand a person with UDK editor experience ? Don't tell me your next game won't be using HPL3 engine.

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    Replies
    1. Note "or similar" ;) just looking for editor experience.

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  11. Amnesia for Ps4 would be Great

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  12. I might have the skills, but I lack experience and confidence. I guess there's no way I'd be picked, and even if I was I'd be so scared of screwing up and letting you down.

    "That you live in Europe or able to move here." - does Israel count for this purpose?

    "Skills in 3D modelling.
    Used to working in Unreal editor or similar."
    Don't have either, although I do tend to learn quickly (I only needed things explained once while my classmates needed about 3 times) and seem to have a bit of a talent for the technical side of artwork. Still, you want someone who already has experience and skill. I'm more interested in designing a game as a whole than the small details of it.

    Also, I have no idea how I would do at working from home, but I suspect that one of 2 possible outcomes will occur: Either I'm so into it I live and breath the project every waking moment, or I don't get totally into it and end up getting distracted until I'm no longer able to work. In the past I always followed one of those 2 patterns for things I did on my own or mostly on my own, including when I did a programming project and worked in my professor's basement. The work wasn't particularly interesting to me, since it was mostly about psychology research, so after a while, and after single-handedly getting the prototype up and running I grew increasingly frustrated and bored with it and my performance dropped like a stone, form my standard "doing it, but mostly because I have to" to "this is torture. I want to run away".

    Overall, I guess I'm not yet the reliable sort who will give good performance in any circumstance. I have not yet become the kind of person I would be inclined to hire, although I'm working on it.

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  13. Any open positions for the C++ engineer with "extremely deep programming knowledge"?

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    Replies
    1. Not right now, but might have in the future.

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    2. Any open positions, for a guy who is inspired by your games and is making a similar game (3D engine development + level design and modeling and 2d stuff) ?

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  14. I always wonder how many replies you guys get on such a job offering. Is it still manageable ? or just to much ? :p

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    Replies
    1. 10 /day or so. A lot less now that we are specific to only hire people living in Europe.

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    2. How do you define Europe? Just curious. For instance, if you worry about being awake and working at the same time so you can talk to each other on video chat at all times and things like that then there's no reason to exclude any country that shares the same timezone, irrespective of the continent.

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    3. There are some minor stuff too (like tax and physical distance) but timezone is the major one. I assume that anybody that really want the job, but live in outside Europe will mail and argue why they should be applicable. Some people have already done this in fact.

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    4. Enough!

      You haven't said a word about Machine for ages and the site hasn't been updated for what, a couple of months? Seriously, Thomas. This is totally unacceptable. What a shitty way to treat your fans.

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    5. You are incorrect that has been no updates. There were some newly released screen shots and a new sample from the sound track that hasn't been heard before that just came out a couple a days ago. I have to blunt and point out the fact that when releasing a proper horror game one must NOT talk too much about the plot or the games contents or a major part of the experience will be lost. One of the staples of horror games is that there is sense of discovery and the player finding and understanding the universe is an huge part of what makes a horror game good. Its how you build suspense and make a horror game scary in a nutshell. If that is spoiled, you will be far more disappointed in the long run then just waiting for the game to come out.

      Also, you take this stuff way too seriously. I doubt you have ever made a game or have even worked on a game, because if you have you wouldn't be on the developer forum talking rudely in front of all the experienced game developers. Making a game takes time, that's the only way one can tell a non game designer. Even Dan Pinchbeck told you guys to back off a little bit.

      Also, let me suggest something. Do you honestly think that by talking to the developers on their like a meany is going to motivate them to work on their game for you? I doubt it.

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  15. I am so jealous of whoever gets this job.

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  16. Damn, seems like a good job offer. I will finish my studies in computer visualistics soon. So I have no big experience in the job market yet.
    I never worked on a big 3D-Game but I used game related techniques to achieve other things (interactive walkthrough 3D presentations, experiments with blender game engine, modelling and render art, a computer animated short movie, java+openGL+GLSL for markerless camera tracking, augmented reality tech demo...).

    If you need someone who nitpicks on details of the graphics core of the game, specifically on shaders, simulation of light and shadows, surface texturing, colors, realism vs. art, deferred post process filters and so on: Contact me here ;)
    (not really, maybe there are others who are more experienced than me)

    That artwork looks great, it reminds me of the manga "Blame!", an empty, rotten, abandoned tech world. There is virtually no game with that kind of art - perhaps the Dead Cyborg game episodes. There are not enough original science fiction horror games nowadays despite of hollywoodesque Dead Spacey games.

    Oh my god, my head is full of strange game ideas now...

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  17. do you need a concept artist actually ?

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  18. The Frictional Games forum does not seems to be working anymore.

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  19. You had me until, "Must live in Europe."
    I guess I'm just gonna have to do similar indie Horror games in America.

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    Replies
    1. OH NOEZ!!!

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    2. I would send in anyway, if your a good enough designer, and if you are good to them, they will probably take you in anyway. They usually allow for outside of Europe. For some reason they didn't this time. If you feel that you could really help them achieve their goal, go for it man. If not, then you probably shouldn't. I would not see a job at frictional games as something that one could just "have" for the sake of having it. I see as a gate way for really imaginative people to be able to be a part of something great, express their creativity, and make it into something amazing and honest.

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  20. being a programmer and an artistically-oriented individual, this job would be perfect for me, as i greatly admire your work (i'm even working on a game of my own, heavily inspired by penumbra and amnesia), however i unfortunately lack the qualifications to apply. for one, i live in the usa. i also lack any professional experience. plus, i tend to get distracted very easily and procrastinate quite a bit. lastly, my crappy computer can barely handle modern 3d engines, including the hpl engine. i really wish i could work with you guys, but sadly, i can't. :c

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  21. Sorry for using this way but i couldnt find any other source for informations about hpl3.
    When could the release of the new engine based game be if everything works perfect for you guys?
    This year maybe?
    Btw i dont want to look like "omg wait for my skills to grow" or "i really need a release date".
    Kind regards

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  22. Information regarding HPL3, and its content are on this blog. If your interested in its features, there is some information regarding HPL3 in October 2010 through January 2011. There is also more information in the 2011, July slot and the 2012 September slot. Based on the information in this blog, HPL3 will be out in 2014. (Amneisa - Two years later post)

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