Founded in 2023, Small Axe Studios is 2K’s newest stand-alone studio, built to push the boundaries of game development and bring 2K’s next groundbreaking sports franchise to life. Headquartered in Burnaby, we are assembling a world-class team of visionaries, builders, and passionate gamers who thrive on creative collaboration, technical excellence, and bold ideas. At Small Axe Studios, we believe big things start with sharp focus—and we’re crafting an exceptional, player-first experience from the ground up. If you’re ready to tackle unique challenges, leave your mark on a brand-new IP, and help shape the future of interactive sports entertainment, we want you on our team!
What We Need
Our studio is looking for an experienced Gameplay Design Director who has a high quality bar, a passion for replicating authentic sports behaviors and experience in creating a systemic and sophisticated second to second gameplay.
You will partner closely with Engineers, Animators, Designers, and Producers to help lay the foundation, build, and innovate upon it to create world class gameplay for what will be the next massive sports franchise in our industry. You will have the opportunity to drive the long-term vision for our sec-to-sec gameplay and partner with production and tech peers to lead a sizable team of developers to deliver against the vision.
What You’ll Do
- Be the ‘Product Owner’ for our gameplay team targeting specifically within the competitive landscape of a Sports Video Game
- Evaluate progress and game quality while partnering closely with Production to formulate and revise plans to drive execution
- Build & Grow your team with talented Gameplay Designers and System Designers
- Lead your team to ‘craft the design’ of our gameplay experience and manage design process & documentation
- Inspire and align the Studio on your vision for Gameplay in partnership with Engineers, Animators, and Artists to implement your vision
- Mentor and manage your design team, championing positive morale and a healthy team culture
- Be an ‘individual contributor’ when time allows with exemplify WGLL by being keen and able to be in engine in order to deliver the strongest possible experience
What Will Make You A Great Fit
- Passion for Sports and Sports Video Games
- Experience directing and delivering ‘product defining’ high quality ‘second-to-second’ game experiences
- Experience with, and passion for, systemic game design
- Experience leading a design team (5+) & directing a sizable development team (20+)
- Experience working with Animation Software Engineers and Animators and is familiar with animation technology (Blend techniques, Masking, Procedural Animation etc.)
The pay range for this position in Vancouver at the start of employment is expected to be between CAD $153,300 and CAD $229,020 per year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations.
Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for employees in regular roles may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, provided that temporary or intern roles will not be eligible for many of these payments or benefits. Details of participation in compensation and benefit plans (if applicable) will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform their essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.
Please note that 2K Games and its studios never uses instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews and when emailing, only use 2K.com accounts.
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Skills Required
- Experience delivering high quality second-to-second game experiences
- Experience leading a design team of 5 or more
- Experience directing large development teams of 20 or more
- Familiarity with animation technology and techniques
- Passion for sports and sports video games
2K Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — U.S. role descriptions outline 14 paid holidays, substantial vacation or discretionary time off, up to 10 paid sick days, and paid parental and compassionate leave. These specifics are spelled out in job postings, with details varying by team and location.
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Healthcare Strength — Core coverage includes medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, and telemedicine, alongside mental-health and wellbeing programs; some locations list carriers such as Cigna and Kaiser. Coverage is commonly characterized as solid even if not top-tier, with options differing by region.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) plan is employer-verified and is frequently noted as including company matching. This sits within a broader savings framework supported by the parent company.
2K Insights
What We Do
2K is headquartered in Novato, California and is a wholly owned label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO). Founded in 2005, 2K Games is a global video game company, publishing titles developed by some of the most influential game development studios in the world. Our studios responsible for developing 2K’s portfolio of world-class games across multiple platforms, include Visual Concepts, Firaxis, Hangar 13, CatDaddy, Cloud Chamber, 31st Union, and HB Studios. Our portfolio of titles is expanding due to our global strategic plan, building and acquiring exciting studios whose content continues to inspire all of us! 2K publishes titles in today’s most popular gaming genres, including sports, shooters, action, role-playing, strategy, casual, and family entertainment. Our team of engineers, marketers, artists, writers, data scientists, producers, thinkers and doers, are the professional publishing stewards of our growing library of critically-acclaimed franchises such as NBA 2K, 2K PGA, Battleborn, BioShock, Borderlands, The Quarry, The Darkness, Mafia, Sid Meier’s Civilization, Marvel’s Midnight Suns, WWE 2K, and XCOM. At 2K, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We encourage ALL applicants to explore our global positions, even if they don’t meet every requirement for the role. If you're interested in the job and think you have what it takes to work at 2K, we encourage you to apply!
Why Work With Us
We pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We push ourselves creatively to do the best work of our careers. We’re direct, open, and you’ll probably meet some new best friends – along with their dogs – sitting nearby. In short, it’s kinda awesome.
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Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
We are a blend of onsite, hybrid, and remote roles. Please refer to individual job descriptions for more details on location.
