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Game Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Netflix

Researcher - Games

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Conduct user research throughout game development, from prototype to late stages (alpha and beta). * Stand up and manage user research testing - including moderated/unmoderated, large/small scaled ...

Netflix

Researcher - Games

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Conduct user research throughout game development, from prototype to late stages (alpha and beta). * Stand up and manage user research testing - including moderated/unmoderated, large/small scaled ...

Netflix

Researcher - Games

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Conduct user research throughout game development, from prototype to late stages (alpha and beta). * Stand up and manage user research testing - including moderated/unmoderated, large/small scaled ...

Netflix

Researcher - Games

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Conduct user research throughout game development, from prototype to late stages (alpha and beta). Stand up and manage user research testing - including moderated/unmoderated, large/small scaled ...

Amazon

Games Researcher, Amazon Games

Seattle, WA · On-site

Act as a connector between game experience and business goals-helping define target players, test ... Apply a range of research and playtesting methods (e.g., usability testing, interviews, surveys ...

Spellbrush

3D Game Programmer (Unity)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

As an early member of this team, you will have significant artistic and research freedom to shape ... You have independently developed a 3D narrative game in Unity Bonus points if the game is first ...

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All JobsGame Researcher Jobs

Game Researcher information

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$30K

$113.1K

$164.5K

How much do game researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for game researcher in the United States is $113,102.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,000.00 and $154,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a game researcher?

Game Researchers are professionals who study various aspects of video games, including player behavior, game design, storytelling, and technology. They may work in academia, for gaming companies, or as independent consultants, using research methods such as data analysis, user testing, and surveys. Their findings help improve gameplay experiences, inform game development, and contribute to our understanding of games as a cultural phenomenon.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a game researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Game Researcher, you need a solid background in game design theory, analytics, and user research methods, often supported by a degree in psychology, human-computer interaction, or a related field. Familiarity with data analysis tools (such as SPSS, R, or Tableau), playtesting platforms, and usability testing software is typically required. Strong communication, critical thinking, and curiosity help Game Researchers translate player feedback into actionable insights for development teams. These skills are crucial for creating engaging, user-centered games that meet player expectations and drive industry innovation.

What are some common challenges faced by game researchers when collaborating with development teams?

Game Researchers often encounter challenges in effectively communicating complex player data and research findings to development teams with diverse backgrounds. Balancing the needs and timelines of designers, artists, and programmers can be demanding, as research insights may call for changes late in the development process. Additionally, researchers must ensure their studies are relevant and actionable, translating player feedback and analytics into clear recommendations that align with project goals. Building strong relationships and maintaining open communication channels are key to overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Game Researcher vs Game Designer?

AspectGame ResearcherGame Designer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or master's in game design, psychology, or related fieldsBachelor's or master's in game design, computer science, or related fields
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, game studios, user testing environmentsCreative teams, development studios, design departments
Employer & Industry UsageUsed to inform game development through user research and testingCreates game concepts, mechanics, and overall design
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding research roles in game developmentUnderstanding design roles in game development

Game Researchers focus on studying player behavior, preferences, and testing to inform game development. Game Designers create the gameplay, mechanics, and overall experience. Both roles are essential in the game industry but serve different functions within the development process.

How to become a game user researcher?

To become a game user researcher, typically a bachelor's degree in psychology, human-computer interaction, or a related field is required, along with experience in user testing, data analysis, and familiarity with gaming platforms. Developing skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods, as well as proficiency with tools like surveys and analytics software, is also important. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level research roles can help build a career in this specialized field.
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What states have the most Game Researcher jobs?

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What job categories do people searching Game Researcher jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Game Researcher jobs are:

Game Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Researcher job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $113,102 per year, or $54.4 per hour.

Researcher - Games

Netflix

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 23 days ago

Netflix rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

70th of 76 rated media

Job description

At Netflix, our mission is to entertain the world. Together, we are writing the next episode - pushing the boundaries of storytelling, global fandom and making the unimaginable a reality. We are a dream team obsessed with the uncomfortable excitement of discovering what happens when you merge creativity, intuition and cutting-edge technology. Come be a part of what's next.
Netflix Games is seeking a Researcher, Games to conduct user research that guides the development of a diverse slate of games across cloud and mobile platforms. You will conduct studies and analyses to ensure Netflix is prioritizing insights from our members and players - specifically, understanding their needs, behaviors, and feedback. We're looking for someone with ample experience impacting games with research, influencing game product partners, and managing multiple diverse games in a fast-paced environment. This is an opportunity to help the organization understand and deliver on player needs.
This role sits within the Games Consumer Insights team, which blends audience insights with UX Research to provide a holistic view of our players.
Responsibilities:
  • Conduct user research throughout game development, from prototype to late stages (alpha and beta).
  • Stand up and manage user research testing - including moderated/unmoderated, large/small scaled, employee/player facing, and closed/open playtests for both cloud and mobile games.
  • Share your results with studio partners and game leaders in concise, data-informed presentations that drive clear actions that benefit our games and players.
  • Stay close to developer needs and be flexible with emergent needs throughout development.
  • Improve and maintain playtesting capabilities (whether leaning on external facilities or conducting in-house), ensuring environments meet the needs of diverse games and teams.
  • Improve existing processes for participant recruitment, build distribution, player segmentation, feedback collection, and data reporting.
  • Track and report on key metrics to demonstrate the impact on game quality and business outcomes.
  • Stay current on industry trends and emerging technologies in playtesting and user research.

Requirements:
  • 4+ years of hands-on experience conducting user research, especially in running playtests that yield both qualitative and quantitative measures.
  • Experience in a variety of user research paradigms and specs, including:
    • Remote and in-person
    • Couch co-op settings
    • Kids and parents
    • Various player input methods (e.g., touch vs controller)
  • Direct experience with a range of gaming studios and ideally in a high-volume environment where dozens of games are being developed or released at any given time.
  • Proficient in running games research projects end-to-end on your own with minimal supervision.
  • Familiar with relevant statistics for data analyses (e.g., significance testing, sample size requirements).
  • Comfortable operating in ambiguity and good judgment in when to borrow versus when to build and when to partner with an external vendor vs DIY internally.
  • Deep empathy for both players and developers; passionate about delivering high-quality player experiences.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to synthesize complex requirements and present clear recommendations to stakeholders at all levels.

Who you are:
  • Your lifelong mission has been to understand people, their behaviors, attitudes, and motivators.
  • You are comfortable putting a stake in the ground, even without all of the data you need.
  • You actively seek answers to questions verging on the impossible.
  • When something needs to get done, you are the first to roll up your sleeves.
  • You make the connections no one else sees.
  • You stand firm in the face of change and challenge.
  • You read the Netflix culture memo and were energized.
  • You are quick-witted, straightforward, and succinct.
  • You are equal parts strategic and operational.
  • You care about the values and culture of your team.

Generally, our compensation structure consists solely of an annual salary; we do not have bonuses. You choose each year how much of your compensation you want in salary versus stock options. To determine your personal top of market compensation, we rely on market indicators and consider your specific job family, background, skills, and experience to determine your compensation in the market range. The range for this role is $220,000.00 - $360,000.00.
Netflix provides comprehensive benefits including Health Plans, Mental Health support, a 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer match, Stock Option Program, Disability Programs, Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts, Family-forming benefits, and Life and Serious Injury Benefits. We also offer paid leave of absence programs. Full-time hourly employees accrue 35 days annually for paid time off to be used for vacation, holidays, and sick paid time off. Full-time salaried employees are immediately entitled to flexible time off. See more details about our Benefits here.
Netflix is a unique culture and environment. Learn more here.
Inclusion is a Netflix value and we strive to host a meaningful interview experience for all candidates. If you want an accommodation/adjustment for a disability or any other reason during the hiring process, please send a request to your recruiting partner.
We are an equal-opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity builds stronger teams. We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.

What Netflix employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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About Netflix

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with 222 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries, feature films and mobile games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

Industry

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Gatos, CA, US

Year founded

1997

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