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Game Developer Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Tencent

Lead Gameplay Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

$147.80K - $343.60K/yr

S.-based, AAA game development studio for Tencent Games. Lightspeed LA is focused on building open ... Work with and lead a gameplay engineering team to craft development of innovative gameplay content ...

LightSpeed Studios

Lead Gameplay Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

$147.80K - $343.60K/yr

S.-based, AAA game development studio for Tencent Games. Lightspeed LA is focused on building open ... Work with and lead a gameplay engineering team to craft development of innovative gameplay content ...

Tencent

Senior Gameplay Engineer

Irvine, CA

$116.20K - $269.10K/yr

S.-based, AAA game development studio for Tencent Games. Lightspeed LA is focused on building open ... Collaborate directly and proactively with engineers, designers, artists, and QA to explore and ...

LightSpeed Studios

Senior Gameplay Engineer

Irvine, CA

$116.20K - $269.10K/yr

S.-based, AAA game development studio for Tencent Games. Lightspeed LA is focused on building open ... Collaborate directly and proactively with engineers, designers, artists, and QA to explore and ...

Tencent

Senior Gameplay Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$116.20K - $269.10K/yr

S.-based, AAA game development studio for Tencent Games. Lightspeed LA is focused on building open ... Collaborate directly and proactively with engineers, designers, artists, and QA to explore and ...

LightSpeed Studios

Senior Gameplay Engineer

Irvine, CA

$116.20K - $269.10K/yr

S.-based, AAA game development studio for Tencent Games. Lightspeed LA is focused on building open ... Collaborate directly and proactively with engineers, designers, artists, and QA to explore and ...

Tencent

Lead Engine System Engineer

Irvine, CA

$116.20K - $343.60K/yr

S.-based, AAA game development studio for Tencent Games. Lightspeed LA is focused on building open ... Work with design and production and engineering leadership to manage schedules and backlog

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See Riverside, CA salary details

$33.9K

$113.2K

$187.8K

How much do game developer jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for game developer in Riverside, CA is $113,164.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,000.00 and $129,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Are Game Developers?

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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Game Developer, and why are they important?

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 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 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.

More about Game Developer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Game Developer jobs in Riverside, CA? The most popular types of Game Developer jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What job categories do people searching Game Developer jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Game Developer jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Game Developer jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Game Developer job openings:
Game Developer jobs near you

Lead Gameplay Engineer

Tencent

Irvine, CA • On-site, Remote

$147.80K - $343.60K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

About the Hiring TeamWelcome to Lightspeed LA, the first U.S.-based, AAA game development studio for Tencent Games. Lightspeed LA is focused on building open-world games that emphasize an ambitious living world, sophisticated player-driven gameplay, and mature, thoughtful storytelling. We are developing the first in a series of genre-defining titles.
Why join Lightspeed LA?
For us, it's not only about the exciting, new AAA open world game we're developing but also about team values and studio culture. We foster an open and transparent environment where everyone feels comfortable providing constructive feedback about all aspects of our games.
We encourage the showing of work that's still in progress.
We don't attack or question unfinished work, we celebrate its promise.
We have a No Blame Culture where we blame the problem, not the person.
This is a safe place to fail, and we don't view failure as a negative, but as the natural result of pushing boundaries and trying new things. We create together. We face Challenges Together. We succeed together.What the Role EntailsLightSpeed LA is seeking for a talented and enthusiastic Lead Gameplay Engineer to join our new studio in sunny Irvine California. The ideal candidate will have a strong passion for games and solving ambitious technical and creative problems. Join us and help build a team and culture of mutual respect and passion that pushes boundaries while having lots of fun!
  • Work with and lead a gameplay engineering team to craft development of innovative gameplay content systems and experiences
  • Work with design and production and engineering leadership to manage the gameplay schedule and backlog
  • Implement, debug and optimize gameplay systems in C/C++ and other languages
  • Author lean, high-performance, maintainable code
  • Cultivate strong cross-disciplinary working relationships based on honesty and transparency among various departments within the studio
Leadership and Management:
  • Provide technical leadership across multiple gameplay systems and features
  • Mentor, develop, and learn from engineering colleagues
  • Be a leadership resource for engineers across the entire gameplay team
  • Help build and maintain an open and energetic team culture
  • Conduct regular one-on-one meetings with team members to provide guidance, feedback, and support their professional development
  • Participate in the recruitment and onboarding of new team members, ensuring a diverse and skilled team that aligns with project requirements
  • Facilitate team-building activities to promote a positive and collaborative working environment
Who We Look For
  • Experience working in Unreal Engine
  • Passion and enthusiasm for creating fun and engaging gameplay through iteration and innovation
  • Experience bringing multiple large-scale game titles to completion on PC and consoles
  • 7+ years of professional game programming experience
  • Experience managing direct reports
  • Experience performing in a senior or principal software engineering role or equivalent
  • Ability to collaborate with other engineers, designers, artists and other game developers
  • Ability to work well in a fluid, changing environment as creative challenges evolve
  • Deep knowledge of gameplay systems involving AI, animation, physics, and character-related systems from engine to game
  • Expert in C++, debugging, and 3D mathematics
  • Enjoy working closely with creative and technical team members
  • Value lean, simple, efficient, well-tested code
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
Preferred:
  • Experience with game console hardware
  • Understanding of game asset pipelines
Why Join Us?Perks and Benefits:
Just some of the benefits of working with us here at our newly built studio in Irvine, CA.
Free daily lunch
Beverages, fresh fruit, and snacks
401k with employer match
Monthly Cell phone bill reimbursement
Financial wellness sessions
Flexible spending account
Team building and company outings
Parental leave for new parents
Company paid health insurance
Life and disability insurance
Employee assistance program
Wellness training
Travel insurance
Preventive care
If the above sounds like you, or if you'd like to know more about the role, we'd love to hear from you to see if we might be a good fit for each other! Contact us for more information about this exciting opportunity.

Location State(s)

US-California-IrvineThe expected base pay range for this position in the location(s) listed above is $147,800.00 to $343,600.00 per year. Actual pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Employees hired for this position may be eligible for a sign on payment, relocation package, and restricted stock units, which will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Subject to the terms and conditions of the plans in effect, hired applicants are also eligible for medical, dental, vision, life and disability benefits, and participation in the Company's 401(k) plan. The Employee is also eligible for up to 15 to 25 days of vacation per year (depending on the employee's tenure), up to 13 days of holidays throughout the calendar year, and up to 10 days of paid sick leave per year. Your benefits may be adjusted to reflect your location, employment status, duration of employment with the company, and position level. Benefits may also be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.Equal Employment Opportunity at Tencent

As an equal opportunity employer, we firmly believe that diverse voices fuel our innovation and allow us to better serve our users and the community. We foster an environment where every employee of Tencent feels supported and inspired to achieve individual and common goals.

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