1

Game Balance Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Designer, Combat

Chicago, IL · On-site

$47K - $88K/yr

Alongside Lead and fellow Designers, the Combat Designer is expected to implement and maintain combat-centric systems, game balance, and character tuning. The Daily * Establishes and maintains design ...

We're looking for a Senior Game Designer to play a leadership role on the project. We are a remote ... You are an expert at creating complex, automated spreadsheets to simulate, balance, and prove out ...

Designer, Combat

Chicago, IL · On-site

$47K - $88K/yr

Alongside Lead and fellow Designers, the Combat Designer is expected to implement and maintain combat-centric systems, game balance, and character tuning. The Daily * Establishes and maintains design ...

Game Designer - TCG

Seattle, WA

$176K/yr

... and basic balance principles * Strong written communication skills, including the ability to ... Deep passion for trading card games as both a designer and a player Location All employees of ...

Senior Designer, Combat

Chicago, IL · On-site

$89K - $166K/yr

Alongside Lead and fellow Designers, the Senior Combat Designer is expected to implement and maintain combat-centric systems, game balance, and character tuning. The Daily * Establishes and maintains ...

Senior Designer, Combat

Chicago, IL · On-site

$89K - $166K/yr

Alongside Lead and fellow Designers, the Senior Combat Designer is expected to implement and maintain combat-centric systems, game balance, and character tuning. The Daily * Establishes and maintains ...

Game Designer - TCG

Seattle, WA · On-site

$98K - $123K/yr

... and basic balance principles * Strong written communication skills, including the ability to ... Deep passion for trading card games as both a designer and a player Location All employees of ...

Nanobit, a Stillfront Group studio, is looking for a highly experienced freelance game balancer to strengthen Big Farm: Merge Game, our free to play mobile Merge-2 title. This is a hands-on role for ...

Collaborate with the Design team to conceptualize, prototype, implement, tune, and balance gameplay ... Mentor junior designers and contribute to the overall growth of the design team What skills you ...

Showing results 41-60

Game Balance Designer information

See salary details

$47K

$156K

How much do game balance designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for game balance designer in the United States is $149,118.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $155,000.00 and $155,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a game balance designer do?

A Game Balance Designer is responsible for ensuring that a video game is fair, challenging, and enjoyable by carefully adjusting gameplay elements such as character abilities, item strengths, and difficulty levels. They analyze player feedback and game data to identify imbalances and make adjustments to mechanics, rules, or content. Their goal is to create a rewarding experience for all players by preventing any one strategy, character, or item from dominating the game, thus maintaining long-term player engagement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a game balance designer?

To thrive as a Game Balance Designer, you need a strong grasp of game mechanics, mathematical modeling, and data analysis, often supported by a degree in game design, mathematics, or a related field. Familiarity with game engines (such as Unity or Unreal), data visualization tools, and scripting languages (like Python or Lua) is typically required. Creative problem-solving, strong communication, and collaboration skills help in iterating designs and working with multidisciplinary teams. These skills ensure balanced and engaging gameplay experiences that maintain player satisfaction and the overall success of the game.

How does a game balance designer typically collaborate with other departments during the development process?

Game Balance Designers work closely with multiple departments, including game design, QA, programming, and art teams. They often participate in cross-functional meetings to discuss gameplay mechanics, gather feedback on player experiences, and ensure that new features maintain overall balance. Effective communication and the ability to advocate for fair, enjoyable gameplay are essential, as balance designers help interpret data from playtests and analytics to recommend adjustments. Collaboration is ongoing throughout development, especially when new content or patches are introduced.

What is the difference between Game Balance Designer vs Game Designer?

AspectGame Balance DesignerGame Designer
Primary FocusAdjusting and fine-tuning game mechanics for fairness and challengeCreating overall game concepts, mechanics, and player experience
Skills & CredentialsStrong understanding of game mechanics, analytics, and player feedbackCreative design skills, storytelling, and broad game development knowledge
Work EnvironmentOften within specialized teams focusing on mechanics and balancingCross-disciplinary teams involved in all aspects of game development

While both roles are essential in game development, the Game Balance Designer specializes in refining game mechanics to ensure fairness and challenge, whereas the Game Designer oversees the overall game concept and player experience. The balance designer's work complements the broader creative vision of the game designer, making both roles interconnected but distinct in focus.

More about Game Balance Designer jobs
Infographic showing various Game Balance Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 7% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 80% In-person, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $149,118 per year, or $71.7 per hour.

$47K - $88K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago


Warner Bros. Discovery rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 53 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

19th of 76 rated media


Job description

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery... the stuff dreams are made of.
Who We Are...
When we say, "the stuff dreams are made of," we're not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD's vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what's next...
From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.
The creative team that brought Mortal Kombat and Injustice to life is now NetherRealm Studios, part of the Warner Bros. Games family. With over 20 years of creation under our belts, NetherRealm's mission remains the same: to create cutting edge entertainment and deliver industry leading tech, game art and overall gaming experiences. NetherRealm Studios is a collaborative and creative environment, constantly striving to up the ante on what is possible in interactive entertainment. Our team is comprised of dedicated professionals with years of experience who are at the forefront of the gaming industry. The passion and energy that made Mortal Kombat a reality is still on display every day in our offices, our hallways and most definitely the studio's arcade room.
The Job
The Combat Designer will be responsible for significant contributions to game design, with a focus on combat, moment-to-moment gameplay, and character implementation. Alongside Lead and fellow Designers, the Combat Designer is expected to implement and maintain combat-centric systems, game balance, and character tuning.
The Daily
  • Establishes and maintains design documentation for player character combat and enemies.
  • Design, implement and iterate on in-game character actions. This includes attacks, reactions and navigation.
  • Works closely with art teams to collaborate on and help define all associated visual elements.
  • Support combat efforts through building gameplay functions and scripted encounters.
  • Build AI logic and behaviors for enemies and NPCs.

The Essentials
  • 4+ years of game design experience required.
  • Shipped at least 1 title with a strong emphasis in combat design and implementation
  • Direct experience in implementing combat mechanics (with a preference on melee-based combat) on at least 1 shipped title
  • Strong programming or scripting knowledge and experience required
  • B.A. degree preferred or equivalent job experience.
  • Ability to work well under pressure and with deadlines.
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
  • Passion for action and fighting games with a focus on combat mechanics.
  • Positive attitude and collaborative approach to problem solving.

How We Get Things Done...
This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/ along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.
Championing Inclusion at WBD
Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.
If you're a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.
In compliance with local law, we are disclosing the compensation, or a range thereof, for roles in locations where legally required. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, skill set, experience, and/or performance. Base pay is just one component of Warner Bros. Discovery's total compensation package for employees. Pay Range: $47,600.00 - $88,400.00 salary per year. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. In addition, Warner Bros. Discovery provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and sick time and vacation.

What Warner Bros. Discovery employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom