Senior Game Designer II, VR - job 1 of 4

As a Senior Game Designer II at Axon, your key responsibilities include designing and developing VR training simulations tailored to specific learning objectives. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams—including artists, developers, and subject matter experts—to ensure high-quality product delivery. Additionally, you will conduct user research, create detailed design documents, and prototype engaging gameplay systems that enhance the training experience for law enforcement officers.

To qualify for the Senior Game Designer II position at Axon, you should have at least 8 years of experience in game design, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Game Design, Computer Science, or a related field. Proficiency in VR game development tools such as Unity or Unreal Engine is essential, as well as familiarity with scripting languages like C# or Python. Prior experience in narrative design and a passion for creating compelling training experiences are also crucial to succeed in this role.

At Axon, collaboration among teams is a top priority for successful VR training design. The Senior Game Designer II will work closely with artists, UX designers, product managers, and developers throughout the design process. Regular check-ins, open meetings, and even a weekly VR Happy Hour foster an open and communicative environment, ensuring that all team members can contribute their insights and expertise to create the most engaging training simulations possible.

In the Senior Game Designer II role at Axon, you will be working with cutting-edge VR technologies to create immersive training experiences. Key tools include game development platforms like Unity or Unreal Engine. Additionally, knowledge of 3D modeling and animation software is beneficial, along with an understanding of human-computer interaction (HCI) to enhance the usability and accessibility of the VR training simulations.

A Senior Game Designer II at Axon has the potential to make a significant impact on law enforcement training by creating effective VR simulations that address the challenges of public safety training. Your designs will help officers develop critical skills in empathy, de-escalation, and community engagement, ultimately transforming training experiences into more accessible and memorable opportunities for skill retention and application in real-world situations.

In your response, highlight specific projects where you designed VR experiences, detailing the tools and technologies you used, and the outcomes achieved. Discuss the challenges you faced and how you overcame them, emphasizing your ability to create immersive and engaging gameplay systems.

Detail your approach to user research and feedback collection. Explain how you conduct playtests and iterate on designs based on this feedback. Provide examples of changes you made to improve user experience and the impact those changes had on your projects.

Discuss your methods for developing narrative frameworks and rule sets that enhance engagement. Explain how you balance realism with educational goals, ensuring that the training simulations not only maintain user interest but also effectively teach essential skills.

Mention your habits for continuous learning, such as attending industry conferences, following relevant blogs and publications, and participating in workshops. Share examples of how you’ve applied new trends or technologies in your previous projects.

Provide examples of past experiences where collaboration was key to a project's success. Highlight your communication style, how you manage differing opinions, and ways you foster a positive team culture that encourages creative input from all members.

Choose a game design principle, and explain it in simple terms, avoiding jargon. Illustrate the concept with an example or analogy that is relatable, ensuring the interviewer understands your ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.

Share your vision for the potential advancements in VR technology and its applications within public safety training. Discuss how these technologies could improve training outcomes and officer preparedness, as well as any challenges you foresee.

Outline a specific challenge, detailing the context, your thought process, and how you addressed the issue. Emphasize the skills and strategies you used, and conclude with the positive outcomes that resulted from your actions.

Discuss the importance of engaging game mechanics in adult learning theories. Highlight how immersive experiences can enhance retention, skill application, and overall effectiveness in training scenarios, giving examples of specific techniques that achieve this.

Explain your approach to designing for diverse users, considering physical, cognitive, and emotional accessibility. Discuss tests and methods you employ to ensure inclusivity in your training simulations and your commitment to making VR experiences usable for everyone.