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Game Developer Jobs in Pasadena, CA (NOW HIRING)

Combat Designer (Gameplay)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$167K/yr

In this role, you'll collaborate with a passionate group of game developers to craft experimental gameplay experiences that support player expression and ingenuity--bringing the richly imagined world ...

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Game Developer information

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$35.5K

$118.3K

$196.3K

How much do game developer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for game developer in Pasadena, CA is $118,320.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,900.00 and $135,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a game developer?

As a game developer, you write the code for video game software. Your code, combined with the work of other developers, brings video games to life on computers and gaming consoles. Your responsibilities are to design core game features and to collaborate with a team of other developers, graphic designers, and artists. Your job duties include game testing, debugging, and production in all aspects of gaming—player character creation, non-player characters, backgrounds, and gameplay. Being a gamer yourself gives you a solid understanding of the importance of game mechanics and storytelling.

What does a game developer do?

A game developer is responsible for designing, creating, and programming video games for computers, consoles, or mobile devices. Their work involves coding, testing, and debugging game software, as well as collaborating with artists, designers, and other team members to bring a game concept to life. Game developers may specialize in areas like gameplay programming, graphics, or artificial intelligence, and often use game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine to build their projects.

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

To thrive as a Game Developer, you need strong programming skills (often in C++, C#, or Java), a solid understanding of computer graphics, and a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, version control systems, and sometimes certifications in these platforms are commonly required. Creative problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication distinguish top performers in this field. These abilities are crucial for building engaging, technically robust games and collaborating successfully within multidisciplinary development teams.

What are some common challenges game developers face when working on large team projects?

Game developers working on large team projects often encounter challenges such as coordinating across multiple disciplines (programming, art, design, audio), ensuring clear communication, and managing dependencies between different parts of the game. Balancing creative vision with technical constraints and deadlines can also be demanding. Adapting to shifting priorities and integrating feedback from playtesting are key aspects of the collaborative process, making strong teamwork and flexibility essential in this role.

What is the difference between Game Developer vs Game Designer?

AspectGame DeveloperGame Designer
Primary RoleProgram and build game mechanics, code, and softwareDesign game concepts, storylines, and gameplay experiences
Skills & CertificationsProgramming languages (C++, C#), software developmentCreative design, storytelling, game design tools
Work EnvironmentDevelopment teams, coding environments, software studiosDesign teams, creative studios, collaborative spaces
Industry UsageUsed across game studios for technical implementationUsed for conceptualization and gameplay design

While both roles are essential in game development, Game Developers focus on coding and technical implementation, whereas Game Designers craft the gameplay experience and story. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and collaboration in the gaming industry.

Is a game developer a good career?

A game developer creates video games and typically requires skills in programming, design, and software tools like Unity or Unreal Engine. The field offers opportunities for creativity and growth, but it can also involve long hours and competitive job markets. Overall, it can be a rewarding career for those passionate about gaming and technology.

What jobs can a game developer do?

A game developer can work in roles such as game programmer, game designer, level designer, graphics programmer, or technical artist. They often collaborate with artists, sound designers, and project managers, and may specialize in areas like mobile, console, or PC game development using tools like Unity or Unreal Engine.

What are popular job titles related to Game Developer jobs in Pasadena, CA?

For Game Developer jobs in Pasadena, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Game Developer jobs in Pasadena, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Game Developer jobs in Pasadena, CA are:

What cities near Pasadena, CA are hiring for Game Developer jobs?

Cities near Pasadena, CA with the most Game Developer job openings:

Infographic showing various Game Developer job openings in Pasadena, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 60% In-person, and 40% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,320 per year, or $56.9 per hour.

Combat Designer (Gameplay)

2K

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$167K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired 3 days ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

As a Combat Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will join our talented development team to help shape the combat gameplay and immersive sandbox world of BioShock. In this role, you'll collaborate with a passionate group of game developers to craft experimental gameplay experiences that support player expression and ingenuity—bringing the richly imagined world of BioShock to life.

What You'll Do:

Partner with and support a team of designers to implement combat gameplay content in an immersive sandbox world. Maintain best practices and support the workflows conducive to consistency and deliverability of game content within the team. Participate in the cross-pollination of ideas and sharing of knowledge amongst content creators. Help build and refine the combat systems development and the gameplay framework for encounters.

Collaborate with other developers to help build an FPS combat paradigm that is accessible, satisfying, and allows for a high degree of player expression and experimentation within a highly reactive world. Be curious and get creative: look beyond direct conflict, accommodate various playstyles and design encounters that can be resolved through player ingenuity. What We'll Do Together: At Cloud Chamber, we are champions of high standards, pushing for progress and embracing change.

We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and identify solutions to overcome developmental obstacles. We strive to make BioShock games that move people: evocative, immersive, and meaningful experiences that stay with you long after the credits roll. Skills & Experiences: Knowledge of current game trends in technology. Experience working with a variety of established game toolsets.

Understanding of game mechanics, combat systems, and AI NPC design. Familiarity with game development tools, and experience with pipelines, standards, and workflows. Experience working in a collaborative environment with cross-disciplinary groups. Solid presentation skills. Current knowledge of gaming industry development landscape, technology and tools. Understanding of how AI, tactical space, and player verbs combine to create magic in both scripted and unscripted settings. Knowledge of behavior trees in Unreal Engine 5. Knowledge of industry standard AI, progression systems, and player mechanics features.

Who You Are:

A reliable, positive force multiplier, actively seeking opportunities to integrate work across disciplines and contribute to a healthy, supportive team environment. A solid communicator with excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, package information for diverse audiences, and deliver difficult feedback with empathy and professionalism. A persistent and self-motivated person with a proactive mindset.

Able to maintain effectiveness and quality under pressure, ambiguity, and fast-changing priorities. An active listener able to build and maintain trust-based relationships across all levels of the organization, understand differing perspectives, and navigate organizational complexity with tact and emotional intelligence.

Highly open to feedback and direction, possessing a desire to learn new skills, and capable of producing quick, quality revisions based on new insights or constraints. A strong owner of your tasks, who strives to drive their work forward autonomously while maintaining a critical eye for detail and organization, ensuring high standards of quality. Dedicated to upholding Cloud Chamber's core values, contributing to a positive and respectful company culture while striving for excellence in all endeavors.

Who We Are:

At Cloud Chamber we strive to make BioShock games that move people: evocative, immersive, and meaningful experiences that stay with you long after you've rolled credits. Great games are born from great collaborations, supported by a culture that brings out the best in our teams. We work openly, learn through play, take ownership, push ourselves to be better, and deliver for our players. For candidates located in Quebec: This position requires professional proficiency in both French and English.

Proficiency in English is required to collaborate with our U.S. teams and international partners, as well as to handle specialized technical documentation (reading, writing, and communication). As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform their essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation. Please note that 2K Games and its studios never use instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews. When emailing prospective employees, we only use 2K.com accounts.