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Video Game Programer information

See California salary details

$10.9K

$91.4K

$171.2K

How much do video game programer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for video game programer in California is $91,423.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23,700.00 and $143,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Video Game Programmer vs Game Designer?

AspectVideo Game ProgrammerGame Designer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or related field, programming skillsBachelor's in Game Design, Creative skills, understanding of game mechanics
Work EnvironmentDevelopment teams, coding in programming languages, debuggingDesign teams, creating game concepts, storylines, and mechanics
Industry UsageDevelops the technical foundation of games, often working closely with designersCreates the overall game vision, gameplay, and user experience

While both roles are essential in game development, a Video Game Programmer focuses on coding and technical implementation, whereas a Game Designer concentrates on game concepts and player experience. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and collaboration within the industry.

What cities in California are hiring for Video Game Programer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Video Game Programer job openings:

Video Game Programer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Video Game Programer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 76% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 22% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,423 per year, or $44 per hour.

Software Engineer, Gameplay Combat - Unannounced Game

Irvine, CA • On-site, Remote

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.external

$38.08 - $70.44/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago

Blizzard Entertainment rating

9.3

Company rating: 9.3 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 78 rated media

Job description

Team Name:

Unannounced ProjectJob Title:Software Engineer, Gameplay Combat - Unannounced GameRequisition ID:R028084Job Description:

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 cultivates the artistry of game development and unleashes the aspirations of our people.

We are looking for a Gameplay Engineer, Combat to help create the next generation of gameplay experiences in an unannounced title. You will be responsible for developing combat experiences, character behaviors, navigation systems, and gameplay technologies that make combat gameplay fun. Alongside a talented team of engineers, designers and artists, you will build the foundations that power engaging, responsive, and immersive gameplay.

This role offers a hybrid work week, with a mix of work-from-home and on-site days, based out of our Irvine, CA location.

This role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:

  • Develop and maintain combat systems supporting interactions between players and NPCs, with a strong emphasis on performance, scalability, and maintainability.
  • Partner with encounter, character, and system designers to transform gameplay goals into robust technical solutions.
  • Collaborate with designers, artists, animators, and gameplay engineers to implement polished combat experiences.
  • Identify performance bottlenecks, technical risks, and implementation challenges while proposing practical solutions.
  • Collaborate with cross-disciplinary and technical partners to diagnose issues and drive fixes to resolution.

Requirements

  • Minimum 5 years of experience in gameplay engineering or a combination of applicable training and related experience.
  • Contributions on action focused combat systems, NPC AI, navigation, or gameplay features on at least one shipped title.
  • Strong C++ programming skills, including performance analysis and optimization.
  • Experience delivering high-quality features as part of a cross-functional team including designers, artists, animators, level designers, FX artists, etc.

Bonus Points

  • Experience working with Unreal Engine
  • Experience and interest in character animation, navigation, combat or gameplay mechanics
  • Experience and interest in combat gameplay
  • Console development experience

Your Platform

At Blizzard Entertainment, we pour our hearts and souls into everything we create. Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, and StarCraft, we've been creating genre-defining games for millions of players around the world for more than 30 years. We're on a quest: bring our dreams to life and craft the most epic entertainment experiences...ever. Hard work, iteration, and polish go into the Blizzard "secret recipe," but the most important ingredients come from talented people who share our vision. If that sounds like you, join us.

Our World

Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, and StarCraft, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc., 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 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.

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 $38.08 - $70.44 Hourly. 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.

What Blizzard Entertainment employees say

Pay

Benefits

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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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