Just a few days ago, we’ve learned what Dean “Iksar” Ayala is going to do next – he announced that he’ll be joining Riot Games as a Design Director on League of Legends. Comparing the popularity of those two games, it’s an obvious step up, so it’s completely understandable that he took this offer.
In a little over a week, I’ll be starting at @riotgames as the design director for @LeagueOfLegends.
Looking forward to working with a new team and immersing myself into the League community. HYPED! pic.twitter.com/1tOHKSZyoA
— August Dean Ayala ???? (@IksarHS) September 24, 2022
That, however, leaves the position of Hearthstone’s Game Director open. Many players have predicted that it’s going to be taken by someone from the current team – either an experienced designer (like Celestalon or John McIntyre) or maybe a current production lead. While this might still happen, of course, it looks like Blizzard decided to open the job to the public. Of course, it comes with some hefty requirements – an in-depth Hearthstone knowledge is one, but that’s going to be pretty easy given the website you’re on. Bigger requirements include 10 years experience in game dev and 3 years in a lead design role.
And while some might say that opening the role like that might not be good for the future of Hearthstone, I disagree – it’s quite common for hire for such a big role from outside of the company, especially if you want to rebrand or revitalize a game. After all, that’s exactly how we ended up with Ben Lee (who clearly pushed the game in a positive direction) and that’s what Iksar is doing right now (while League of Legends is still one of the most popular games in the world).
Here’s the job posting – if you happen to have enough experience, you might want to apply!
Job Title:
Game Director, Hearthstone
Requisition ID:
R017735
Job Description:
Pull up a chair and join us by the hearth! Blizzard is looking for an experienced game developer and team leader to join the Hearthstone team as our next Game Director. If you have a passion for the design and craft of games and want to participate in the future of Hearthstone, we want to hear from you! Our team values creativity, collaboration, a commitment to quality, and we are searching for a like-minded leader to add to our team of passionate game makers. Together we will learn, grow, and ultimately enjoy success by developing epic experiences for our players that push the boundaries of what Hearthstone can be.
As one of the team’s most visible leaders, the Game Director will help establish, represent, and protect the game vision for Hearthstone. They will be a compelling communicator who inspires ideas and actions in team members across all development disciplines. They will use their influence to steer Hearthstone through the challenges and opportunities of being a free-to-play game while surprising and delighting millions of daily players.
The Game Director should also understand and support the scope of the game and work alongside production to ensure the various types of content reach players in a timely fashion at the quality our players have come to expect.
COVID-19 Hiring Update: We’ve transitioned to a work-from-home model, and we’re continuing to interview and hire during this time. This role is expected to begin as a remote position. We understand each person’s circumstances may be unique and will work with you to explore possible interim options.
Minimum Requirements:
- A minimum of 10 years’ experience in game development
- A minimum of 3 years’ experience in a lead design role with experience working with large teams
- Experience as a Hearthstone player and In-depth knowledge of card or strategy games
Knowledge & Skills:
- Extensive experience working with free to play games and a deep understanding of live service products
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills with leadership and conflict resolution skills
- The Ability to Mentor and grow developers of all levels of experience
Extra Points:
- Familiarity with statistics and analytics
- A strong understanding of free to play games, game economies and competitive PVP games
- Familiarity and passion for the Warcraft intellectual property
- Experience and expertise related to UX design and its importance
Required Application Materials:
- Resume
Blizzard Entertainment is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
Accommodation Request: We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to talentacquisition@blizzard.com. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest.
We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all 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! At Activision Blizzard, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.
