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2021/04/28 13:48:09
Subject: LEAD GAMES DEVELOPER (WARHAMMER 40K) - Open position in GW!
About the Job
Do you want to lead the Warhammer 40k Game Development team, setting the direction and ambition of the system and delivering ever better rules and gaming content?
Are you excited by defining and implementing the strategy for the Warhammer 40k rules and owning the gaming ecosystem, ensuring it all works as intended, free from mistakes?
You will be working with the Product Developer and Warhammer 40k Studio Manager to develop and deliver a vision for the future of the Warhammer 40k games system, while managing the Games Development team to deliver that vision, and writing world-class rules and gaming material yourself. You will also be managing and developing relationships with the global Warhammer 40k community and our playtest teams.
You will be a creative and passionate ambassador for the Warhammer 40k game, working productively with your colleagues and leading them with drive and enthusiasm.
We know what makes this job hard is curating and developing an entire game system through a relentless release schedule, while developing the systems and processes required to produce world-class rules content. However, this is a challenge that you will relish!
This is a senior position for one of Games Workshop’s biggest brands.
Working at Games Workshop
At Games Workshop we are looking for people who will do their best to understand the needs of the company and to put those needs first when they are at work. Because of this we believe that what you are like, hence the attitude you show to work and the way you choose to behave is just as important as your skills and experience.
The Warhammer World site is based just outside of Nottingham city centre and benefits from a nearby tram stop and free onsite car parking.
In return for your hard work, you will receive 33 days holiday per year (including public holidays), matching contributory pension scheme up to 7.5%, profit share bonus (subject to GW meeting profit targets) and option to join our Share Save scheme. Oh and let’s not forget, a staff discount of between 25% and 50% on our products!
Other Essential Information
Location: The role is based in our Nottingham Design Studio in the UK.
Closing Date: Applications must be received by midnight, UK time, on Sunday 2nd May 2021.
How to Apply
To apply, please send us a letter or a video telling us why you want this job. This is a great opportunity for you to let us know that you understand what we are looking for.
Please include an up-to-date CV to support your application.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/04/28 13:48:37
I doubt very much they're going to leave their lead game designer position open to chance. They've got someone they want for the role already (likely in house already, or a buddy that they're poaching).
Taking an outsider that they know only through the interview process, who might want to take 'one of their biggest brands' in a new direction? Not happening.
Efficiency is the highest virtue.
2021/04/28 13:58:37
Subject: LEAD GAMES DEVELOPER (WARHAMMER 40K) - Open position in GW!
I believe the UK has laws which mean sometimes companies have to advertise for open positions even if they are going to fill them internally. Which might well be what this is as this sounds like a lot to pass onto someone from the outside.
I mean heck someone from the outside might well have the perfect skill set and drive and everything and GW would shoot themselves in the foot not advertising for that person to take up the offer; but at the same time it does sound more like an internal promotional role.
They had the same posting but for Age of Sigmar about a month ago
'It is a source of constant consternation that my opponents cannot correlate their innate inferiority with their inevitable defeat. It would seem that stupidity is as eternal as war.'
- Nemesor Zahndrekh of the Sautekh Dynasty Overlord of the Crownworld of Gidrim
2021/04/28 14:07:40
Subject: LEAD GAMES DEVELOPER (WARHAMMER 40K) - Open position in GW!
Overread wrote: I believe the UK has laws which mean sometimes companies have to advertise for open positions even if they are going to fill them internally. Which might well be what this is as this sounds like a lot to pass onto someone from the outside.
I mean heck someone from the outside might well have the perfect skill set and drive and everything and GW would shoot themselves in the foot not advertising for that person to take up the offer; but at the same time it does sound more like an internal promotional role.
This. You never need interview anyone but your intended promotee, but you still have to advertise the position.
Fed up of Scalpers? But still want your Exclusives? Why not join us?
Overread wrote: I believe the UK has laws which mean sometimes companies have to advertise for open positions even if they are going to fill them internally. Which might well be what this is as this sounds like a lot to pass onto someone from the outside.
I mean heck someone from the outside might well have the perfect skill set and drive and everything and GW would shoot themselves in the foot not advertising for that person to take up the offer; but at the same time it does sound more like an internal promotional role.
Yeah, I'm used to that from government and government adjacent jobs here, but wasn't sure that a publicly traded company in the UK needed to do the same. I get it, but it's practice I hate, since I've been the outside hopeful more than once (without realizing it), and the wink and nod for their in-house buddy Bob is super annoying.
Efficiency is the highest virtue.
2021/04/28 15:25:49
Subject: LEAD GAMES DEVELOPER (WARHAMMER 40K) - Open position in GW!
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/04/28 15:26:07
"The larger point though, is that as players, we have more control over what the game looks and feels like than most of us are willing to use in order to solve our own problems"
2021/04/28 15:36:38
Subject: LEAD GAMES DEVELOPER (WARHAMMER 40K) - Open position in GW!
There is no legal requirement in the UK to advertise a job externally.
It tends to be an internal HR decision whether you have to advertise externally or not. There are some factors relating to discrimination which might influence this, so in practice HR might lean towards an external advert just to cover itself.
This does not mean someone isn’t lined up for the role of course.
Source: used to work for a Higher Education provider and recruited some staff. We had both internal only and external roles advertised.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/04/28 15:37:26
2021/04/28 15:38:38
Subject: LEAD GAMES DEVELOPER (WARHAMMER 40K) - Open position in GW!
Considering that half of the Dakka thinks that they understand game design better than GW's designers, I expect all those armchair experts to start furiously typing their applications!
Speaking of jobs at Games Workshop, it looks like there's a new painter/presenter joining Nick and Peachy if I understand Wade correctly...
'It is a source of constant consternation that my opponents cannot correlate their innate inferiority with their inevitable defeat. It would seem that stupidity is as eternal as war.'
- Nemesor Zahndrekh of the Sautekh Dynasty Overlord of the Crownworld of Gidrim
2021/04/28 16:28:10
Subject: LEAD GAMES DEVELOPER (WARHAMMER 40K) - Open position in GW!
33 days in the US as starter would be pretty amazing. The US sucks at this, and typicall you are offered 10 days and you have to negotiate for more.
I expect they have their Lead Developer all ready lined up. However, this could give them some candidates for entry level folks and back fills. I mean, you need to build a talent pool for these types of roles, and there are plenty of freelancers and other skilled workers they may want to tap into.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2021/04/28 16:29:23
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2021/04/28 16:28:37
Subject: LEAD GAMES DEVELOPER (WARHAMMER 40K) - Open position in GW!
Overread wrote: I believe the UK has laws which mean sometimes companies have to advertise for open positions even if they are going to fill them internally. Which might well be what this is as this sounds like a lot to pass onto someone from the outside.
I mean heck someone from the outside might well have the perfect skill set and drive and everything and GW would shoot themselves in the foot not advertising for that person to take up the offer; but at the same time it does sound more like an internal promotional role.
Yeah, I'm used to that from government and government adjacent jobs here, but wasn't sure that a publicly traded company in the UK needed to do the same. I get it, but it's practice I hate, since I've been the outside hopeful more than once (without realizing it), and the wink and nod for their in-house buddy Bob is super annoying.
Had that happen once. Drove clear across the country for an interview. While the candidates were sat in reception chatting (part of the process was a group thing so we were all there together) it emerges that one of the girls was already doing the exact same role for the immediate competition. When the guys conducting the whole thing come out to collect us, they both hugged and air kissed same girl like they were old friends.
Total waste of time and petrol.
We find comfort among those who agree with us - growth among those who don't. - Frank Howard Clark
The wise man doubts often, and changes his mind; the fool is obstinate, and doubts not; he knows all things but his own ignorance.
The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!” Professor Brian Cox
Ghaz wrote: They had the same posting but for Age of Sigmar about a month ago
Yep, and they're also advertising / have been advertising for non-lead Games Developers and Product Developers for several systems.
And once whomever in the studio takes this position, they’ll have that open spot to advertise too unless the non lead may have been advertised or taken on in advance of this change.
But yeah standard practice.
I had to do it all the time in my stores.
2021/04/28 16:46:13
Subject: LEAD GAMES DEVELOPER (WARHAMMER 40K) - Open position in GW!
Denny wrote: There is no legal requirement in the UK to advertise a job externally.
It tends to be an internal HR decision whether you have to advertise externally or not. There are some factors relating to discrimination which might influence this, so in practice HR might lean towards an external advert just to cover itself.
This does not mean someone isn’t lined up for the role of course.
Source: used to work for a Higher Education provider and recruited some staff. We had both internal only and external roles advertised.
It's actually a best practice for large organizations to have structured hiring processes, and that means posting jobs, having interviews, etc. Even where an organization might have that specific job filled, it can help locate talent for other positions. GW might also be self aware enough to realize that part it's problems have been how closed off the staff are from the rest of the industry.
2021/04/28 17:33:59
Subject: LEAD GAMES DEVELOPER (WARHAMMER 40K) - Open position in GW!
Crimson wrote: Considering that half of the Dakka thinks that they understand game design better than GW's designers, I expect all those armchair experts to start furiously typing their applications!
Nah, that's not how it works. They won't be able to apply on time 'because reasons,' but if they could have, they would have been a shoe-in for the job, so GW missed out on saving their game.
Efficiency is the highest virtue.
2021/04/28 17:35:39
Subject: Re:LEAD GAMES DEVELOPER (WARHAMMER 40K) - Open position in GW!
Does 23 years playing non-competitive 40k count as relevant experience? Asking for a friend...
Curious what this kind of position can expect to make in the UK. The 25-50% off GW products might just justify a potential pay cut
33 days/yr is definitely good from a US perspective. I'm at a fairly progressive company working in a competitive field, and only see 21 days PTO + 10 Fed Holidays.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/04/28 17:39:12
2021/04/28 17:41:01
Subject: LEAD GAMES DEVELOPER (WARHAMMER 40K) - Open position in GW!
Do they have lead designer positions at the moment? I don't think they do. I think this shows they are restructuring both the AOS and 40k design teams to have someone in charge. 99% chance that someone is internal in both cases.
Feels like they finally realized that having a bunch of people with different visions of the game all writing rules based on their own different visions isn't a recipe for good game design.
2021/04/28 17:46:04
Subject: LEAD GAMES DEVELOPER (WARHAMMER 40K) - Open position in GW!
Crimson wrote: Considering that half of the Dakka thinks that they understand game design better than GW's designers, I expect all those armchair experts to start furiously typing their applications!
Nah, that's not how it works. They won't be able to apply on time 'because reasons,' but if they could have, they would have been a shoe-in for the job, so GW missed out on saving their game.
This is some serious corporate simping considering GW themselves keep emphasizing that they don't hire based on competence.
The old meta is dead and the new meta struggles to be born. Now is the time of munchkins.
2021/04/28 17:47:08
Subject: LEAD GAMES DEVELOPER (WARHAMMER 40K) - Open position in GW!
That's about average in the UK. A week more than the legal minimum.
More than most in finland(check his flag). 30 is common here after working for year(after first year it's 25). And 5 saturdays gets counted as holidays.
33 days is pretty decent, assuming couple dozens aren't weekend days
2024 painted/bought: 109/109
2021/04/28 17:47:56
Subject: LEAD GAMES DEVELOPER (WARHAMMER 40K) - Open position in GW!
Crimson wrote: Considering that half of the Dakka thinks that they understand game design better than GW's designers, I expect all those armchair experts to start furiously typing their applications!
Nah, that's not how it works. They won't be able to apply on time 'because reasons,' but if they could have, they would have been a shoe-in for the job, so GW missed out on saving their game.
This is some serious corporate simping considering GW themselves keep emphasizing that they don't hire based on competence.
No?
Its a commentary on forum posters who think themselves 'expert game designers.' It has _nothing_ at all to do with any company. (beyond that this is a thread about GW hiring designers)
So save your trendy buzzword insults for someone else.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/04/28 17:49:52
Efficiency is the highest virtue.
2021/04/28 17:49:28
Subject: LEAD GAMES DEVELOPER (WARHAMMER 40K) - Open position in GW!
Crimson wrote: Considering that half of the Dakka thinks that they understand game design better than GW's designers, I expect all those armchair experts to start furiously typing their applications!
Nah, that's not how it works. They won't be able to apply on time 'because reasons,' but if they could have, they would have been a shoe-in for the job, so GW missed out on saving their game.
This is some serious corporate simping considering GW themselves keep emphasizing that they don't hire based on competence.
Yep. It's more of willingness to shout out loud waaagh's in public.
Then you don't have freedom to actually improve game but are on orders to keep game imbalanced and just shift imbalance to ensure playeis sell old armies and buy new ones at record speed.
You are not so much as game designer as marketing person. Game is irrelevant. Sale is everything.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/04/28 17:50:13
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