Design Director, Gameplay

As a Design Director at 2K, you will be responsible for leading the gameplay team as the 'Product Owner', acquiring intimate knowledge of player expectations and product goals, defining the gameplay vision alongside the Head of Design, and managing talents while inspiring the team to innovate and excel.

To qualify for the Design Director position at 2K, you should possess significant experience in delivering high-quality gameplay experiences, leading design teams, collaborating with animation and systems engineers, and navigating visual game design. A passion for sports and sports video games is highly beneficial.

Yes, the Design Director at 2K is responsible for mentoring and managing a sizeable development team. You will work closely with your team to shape gameplay experiences and foster a positive team culture, ensuring everyone's contributions are valued.

The work environment for a Design Director at 2K is collaborative and inclusive, with a focus on creativity and innovation. You will work with diverse teams, including AI, animation, and systems engineers, in a setting that encourages employees to come as they are and unleash their full potential.

The Design Director will have a pivotal role in shaping the gameplay experience and quality of upcoming sports titles. By defining gameplay vision and collaborating with cross-functional teams, you will ensure that 2K's offerings resonate with players and elevate the gaming experience.

When defining a gameplay vision, it’s essential to immerse yourself in player feedback and competitive analysis. Your answer should highlight collaborative workshops with the team, assessing gut instincts against data, and iterating on designs with a flexible approach.

Share a specific instance where your leadership impacted the team's dynamics, perhaps through conflict resolution, vision alignment, or creative breakthroughs. Highlight methods you used to motivate the team and maintain high morale.

Detail approaches such as establishing clear goals, creating inclusive brainstorming sessions, and providing constructive feedback. Discuss the importance of cultivating an open environment where team members feel heard and valued.

Discuss your methods for implementing quality assurance checkpoints, regular design reviews, and iterative testing phases. Emphasize your commitment to feedback loops and adapting designs based on player testing.

Provide examples of how you’ve collaborated with animators, discussing your familiarity with animation techniques such as blending, masking, and procedural animation, and how these concepts enhance gameplay.

Talk about your experience in backlog management, emphasizing the necessity of engaging with various stakeholders to align priorities with player expectations and pipeline feasibility.

Share the influences that inform your design thinking, whether they be player-centric design principles, industry trends, or personal experiences with games. Discuss how those philosophies translate into actionable steps for your team.

Discuss your strategies for balancing direct contributions with team oversight. Illustrate how you allocate time for detailed hands-on work while ensuring strategic leadership remains a priority.

Reflect on a significant challenge, such as navigating the complexities of team coordination or reconciling differing creative visions. Emphasize the steps you took to address it and the ultimate outcomes.

Share your habits for continuous learning, such as following industry reports, attending gaming expos, and participating in forums or discussions with other professionals, all to keep your design approach relevant and innovative.