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Player First Games Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Director of Product

Cedar Falls, IA · On-site

$216K - $227K/yr

... player-first solutions. This role is central to bridging creative ideas and execution, collaborating closely with the Game Economy and Monetization teams to align strategic goals while leading the ...

Director of Product - Game of Thrones Slots

Austin, TX · On-site

$231K - $241K/yr

... player first. Know who we are building for and what will benefit them most. Qualifications ... Able to adjust communication style as required. • Passion for games and crafting fun, compelling ...

Develop and own the community strategy for multiple titles, ensuring alignment with game development, publishing, and marketing goals. * Build vibrant, healthy, player-first communities across ...

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Player First Games information

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How much do player first games jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for player first games in the United States is $20.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.18 and $23.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is Player First Games?

Player First Games is a video game development studio known for prioritizing the gaming experience of players. They are recognized for developing engaging, community-driven games and for their collaborative approach to game design. The studio gained significant attention for creating 'MultiVersus,' a platform fighting game that features characters from various Warner Bros. franchises. Their mission is to put players at the forefront of every decision, aiming to build games that are fun, fair, and inclusive. Player First Games works closely with players to gather feedback and continually improve their offerings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Game Developer at Player First Games, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Game Developer at Player First Games, you need strong programming skills (such as C++ or C#), a solid understanding of game design principles, and prior experience in game development. Familiarity with game engines like Unreal Engine or Unity, and knowledge of version control systems such as Git, are typically required. Creativity, teamwork, and effective communication are essential soft skills that help bring collaborative projects to life. These abilities are crucial for developing engaging, high-quality games in a fast-paced, team-driven environment.

What is the difference between Player First Games vs Game Designer?

AspectPlayer First GamesGame Designer
Required CredentialsTypically a degree in game design, computer science, or related fieldSame as Player First Games, often with a portfolio of game projects
Work EnvironmentGame development studios, collaborative teamsDesign studios, independent or large gaming companies
Industry UsageUsed in companies developing multiplayer or competitive gamesUsed broadly across all game types, including single-player and multiplayer
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for roles in game development teamsMore focused on creative design aspects

Player First Games and Game Designer roles share similar educational backgrounds and work environments, but Player First Games often emphasizes multiplayer game development, while Game Designers focus on overall game concept and mechanics. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths in the gaming industry.

What are some common challenges faced by developers at Player First Games, and how are they typically addressed?

Developers at Player First Games often face challenges such as balancing innovation with tight production deadlines and ensuring seamless collaboration across multidisciplinary teams. To address these, the company emphasizes agile methodologies, regular stand-ups, and open communication channels to keep everyone aligned. Additionally, team members are encouraged to participate in playtesting sessions and provide feedback, which helps catch issues early and fosters a collaborative environment. This approach not only streamlines problem-solving but also promotes professional growth within the team.
What job categories do people searching Player First Games jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Player First Games jobs are:
Infographic showing various Player First Games job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 65% Physical, and 35% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,561 per year, or $20.9 per hour.
Staff Software Engineer, Gameplay Meta - Unpublished R&D Product

Staff Software Engineer, Gameplay Meta - Unpublished R&D Product

Riot Games

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 27 days ago


Job description

Riot Engineers bring deep technical expertise while embracing cross-disciplinary collaboration to deliver meaningful player experiences. As a Software Engineer III focused on Meta Systems, you will build and evolve the systems that shape a player's journey outside of moment-to-moment gameplay - including progression, social features, quests, customization, and long-term engagement systems.

As a Staff Software Engineer on an unpublished R&D product, you will design and deliver robust metagame systems that connect gameplay, player identity, and progression. You will partner closely with design, UX, production, Services, and Foundations teams to implement scalable, maintainable systems that are performant in-engine and resilient across client-service and engine boundaries. You will independently own features from technical design through production readiness, ensuring high-quality execution in a live service environment.

Responsibilities:
  • Design and independently drive the implementation of large-scale metagame systems (progression, social features, quests, customization) from technical design through high-quality execution and polish.
  • Collaborate closely with Services and Foundations teams to integrate Meta systems with core backend and central services capabilities, ensuring scalable architecture and seamless persistence across client-service and engine boundaries.
  • Develop clean, extensible C++ systems within Unreal Engine, emphasizing maintainability and performance, and translate UX specifications into functional in-game UI implementations.
  • Build and maintain robust Unreal Editor tooling to empower designers and content creators to author and tune Meta systems efficiently.
  • Ensure the long-term health and stability of the live service by proactively identifying and addressing technical debt, architectural gaps, and complex issues spanning client, engine, and backend systems.
  • Elevate engineering quality across the team through active participation in code reviews and design discussions, and by mentoring junior engineers on best practices for C++ development and large-scale system integration.
Required Qualifications:
  • 8+ years of professional software development experience
  • Professional experience developing gameplay systems in Unreal Engine using C++
  • Experience building or extending Unreal Editor tooling and workflows
  • Experience implementing in-game UI systems based on UX or product specifications
  • Strong understanding of software engineering fundamentals (data structures, algorithms, object-oriented design, concurrency)
  • Experience collaborating effectively within cross-functional teams including design, UX, and production
  • Experience integrating client gameplay systems with backend or platform services
Desired Qualifications:
  • Experience building progression, social, or player customization systems
  • Experience integrating gameplay systems with Player Platform or shared service ecosystems
  • Familiarity with Unreal systems such as UMG, MVVM/ViewModels, Data Assets, Online Subsystems, or other foundational engine frameworks
  • Experience working on or shipping a live multiplayer or online game
  • Experience supporting post-launch feature iteration and live ops updates
  • Experience building data-driven systems that empower non-engineering content authors

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise, a collaborative spirit, and decision-making that prioritizes the delight of players. We will be looking at your past studies, experience, and your personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about players' experiences, this could be your role!

Our Perks:

Riot focuses on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy and other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.

At Riot Games, we put players first. That mission drives every decision in our quest to create games and experiences that make it better to be a player. Whether you're working directly on a new player-facing experience or you're supporting the company as a whole, everyone at Riot is part of our mission. And just like in our games, we're better when we work together. Our goal is to create collaborative teams where you are empowered to bring your unique perspective everyday. If that sounds like the kind of place you want to work, we're looking forward to your application.

It's our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.

Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:

  • Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
  • Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
  • Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
  • Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters

These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security. 


Riot Games logo

About Riot Games

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Riot Games was founded in 2006 by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill with the intent to change the way video games are made and supported for players. In 2009, Riot released its debut title League of Legends to worldwide acclaim. The game has since gone on to become the most played PC game in the world and a key driver of the explosive growth of esports. Players are the foundation of our community and it's for them we continue to evolve and improve the League of Legends experience.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2006

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