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Video Game Design Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Senior Product Manager, Community

Irvine, CA · On-site

$134K - $177K/yr

... design, engineering, data science, and product marketing to drive results. • Navigate the ... Twitch is a social video platform where gamers can broadcast, watch, and talk about video games. It ...

Senior Product Manager, Community

Irvine, CA · On-site

$134K - $177K/yr

... design, engineering, data science, and product marketing to drive results. • Navigate the ... Twitch is a social video platform where gamers can broadcast, watch, and talk about video games. It ...

... by video-on demand, gaming and other real time data streams. We are seeking talented individuals to work on solving technical challenges. with the most outstanding group of collaborators in the ...

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Video Game Design information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$13

$19

$24

How much do video game design jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for video game design in Riverside, CA is $19.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.55 and $21.06 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Video Game Design vs Video Game Programming?

AspectVideo Game DesignVideo Game Programming
Primary RoleCreating game concepts, storylines, and gameplay mechanicsWriting code to implement game features and functionalities
Required SkillsCreativity, storytelling, understanding of game mechanicsProgramming languages, software development, problem-solving
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, collaborative teams, creative settingsDevelopment teams, technical environments, coding labs
Common CertificationsGame design degrees, portfolios, UX/UI knowledgeComputer science degrees, coding certifications, software proficiency

Video Game Design focuses on conceptualizing and designing the game's overall experience, while Video Game Programming involves coding and implementing those designs into a playable product. Both roles are essential in game development but require different skill sets and focus areas.

What are some common challenges faced by video game designers when working on collaborative projects?

Video game designers often work in multidisciplinary teams, collaborating with artists, programmers, and sound engineers. A common challenge is effectively communicating design ideas and ensuring that everyone understands the game vision, especially as features evolve. Balancing creative input from various team members while adhering to deadlines and technical constraints can also be demanding. Successful designers develop strong communication and problem-solving skills to navigate these dynamics and keep projects on track.

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

To thrive as a Video Game Designer, you need a solid understanding of game mechanics, storytelling, and user experience, often backed by a degree in game design, computer science, or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as Unity, Unreal Engine, and graphic design software, along with knowledge of scripting languages, is typically required. Creativity, collaboration, and strong communication are vital soft skills for turning ideas into engaging, playable experiences within a team environment. These skills and qualities are essential for developing innovative games that captivate players and succeed in a competitive market.

What is video game design?

Video game design is the process of creating the content and rules of a video game, including its story, characters, gameplay mechanics, and environment. Game designers work closely with artists, programmers, and other team members to bring their vision to life. They are responsible for shaping the player’s experience, balancing challenges, and ensuring the game is engaging and fun. This role often involves prototyping ideas, playtesting, and iterating on feedback to improve the game before release.
What are the most commonly searched types of Video Game Design jobs in Riverside, CA? The most popular types of Video Game Design jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Video Game Design jobs in Riverside, CA? For Video Game Design jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Video Game Design jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Video Game Design jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Video Game Design jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Video Game Design job openings:
Software Tools Engineer | Unannounced Project - Irvine CA

Software Tools Engineer | Unannounced Project - Irvine CA

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

Irvine, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

Team Name:
Job Title:
Software Tools Engineer | Unannounced Project - Irvine CA
Requisition ID:
R027349
Job Description:
Your Mission
At Blizzard, we craft genre-defining games and legendary worlds for all to share. Through unparalleled creativity and storytelling, we create immersive universes and iconic characters that are beloved across platforms, borders, backgrounds, and generations - only made possible by building a work environment that nurtures the artistry of game development and unleashes the aspirations of our people.
We are looking for a Software Tools Engineer to help craft a new, unannounced game for Blizzard. As a key member of the development team, you will build and support tools, workflows, and editor improvements that help designers, artists, and engineers create assets and systems efficiently and confidently. You are comfortable operating in a dynamic environment, navigating fluid deadlines and changing priorities with purpose, and collaborating across disciplines to turn workflow needs into practical technical solutions.
This role offers a flexible hybrid work week from our Irvine, CA studio location, with a mix of remote and on-site days. While hybrid is the standard arrangement, you're also welcome to work on-site full-time if you prefer.
Responsibilities
Priorities can often change in a fast-paced environment like ours, so this role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:
  • Implement and maintain tools and workflows that improve asset and system creation efficiency for designers, artists, and engineers.

  • Collaborate closely with designers and artists to understand workflow needs and translate them into clear, effective technical solutions.

  • Support editor and pipeline improvements by fixing bugs, improving usability, and extending features in tools used to build game assets.

  • Create and maintain documentation for tools, workflows, and technical constraints to support adoption and consistent usage.

  • Assist with build, packaging, or deployment needs for tools and dependencies to help keep pipelines healthy.

  • Participate in code reviews and collaborate with the team to keep code readable, tested, and maintainable.

Minimum Requirements
Experience
  • 5+ years of experience in game development engineering, or an equivalent combination of applicable training and hands-on experience.

  • Experience building tools, pipelines, or workflow improvements for engineers, designers, or artists.

  • Experience collaborating on cross-disciplinary teams and supporting users with varying technical backgrounds.

Knowledge and Skills
  • Proficiency in C++ and C#, with the ability to write production-quality code.

  • Working knowledge of version control workflows and collaborative development practices.

  • Solid debugging and problem-solving skills, including the ability to triage issues and implement reliable fixes.

  • Familiarity with editor and tools development concepts such as usability, iteration speed, and workflow design.

  • Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly through documentation and day-to-day collaboration.

Key Attributes
  • Collaborative, service-oriented mindset with curiosity and enthusiasm for learning new tools, pipelines, and technologies.

  • Willingness to iterate on solutions and contribute to continual improvement.

  • Respect for diverse perspectives and inclusive collaboration.

Bonus Points
  • Prior experience with Unreal Engine and Unreal editor systems.

  • Experience with build systems or automation tooling.

  • Experience working in large codebases or editor ecosystems.

  • B.S. (or higher) in Computer Science or an equivalent field.

Your Platform
Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry's most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via Battle.net®, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.
Our World
Activision Blizzard, Inc., is one of the world's largest and most successful interactive entertainment companies and is at the intersection of media, technology and entertainment. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty®, World of Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, Candy Crush™ and Bubble Witch™. Our combined entertainment network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users in 196 countries, making us the largest gaming network on the planet!
Our ability to build immersive and innovative worlds is only enhanced by diverse teams working in an inclusive environment. We aspire to have a culture where everyone can thrive in order to connect and engage the world through epic entertainment. We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for 'Every World' - we've got our employees covered!
The video game industry and therefore our business is fast-paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners
We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all the qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.
We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to accommodationrequests@activisionblizzard.com. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.
Rewards
We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for 'Every World' - we've got our employees covered! Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:
  • Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;
  • 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;
  • Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;
  • Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;
  • If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company. You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/.
In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $77,500.00 - $143,376.00 Annual. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role's range details for your local geography during the hiring process. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable.

Blizzard Entertainment logo

About Blizzard Entertainment

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Blizzard Entertainment is a globally recognized leader in the Digital Gaming industry, renowned for creating some of the world's most popular video games such as "World of Warcraft," "Overwatch," and "Diablo." The company was founded in 1991 and is currently based in Irvine, California, USA. Aside from creating engaging video games, Blizzard Entertainment also develops and supports a wide range of software products within the realm of entertainment. The company prides itself on its commitment to quality, an element that can be recognized in its vast array of legendary games. Notably, its creation, World of Warcraft, remains one of the highest-grossing video games of all time.

Industry

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Irvine, CA, US

Year founded

1991

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