π Core Information
πΉ Job Title: Creative Director
πΉ Company: Halfbrick Studios
πΉ Location: Remote
πΉ Job Type: Full-Time
πΉ Category: Game Development
πΉ Date Posted: April 9, 2025
πΉ Experience Level: 5-10 years
πΉ Remote Status: Fully Remote (Global)
π Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving the creative vision for Halfbrick's upcoming VR boxing game, Thrill of the Fight 2
- Leading a cross-disciplinary team to craft an innovative, authentic, and engaging VR boxing experience
- Collaborating with marketing and community teams to ensure consistent branding across all touchpoints
- Mentoring and guiding creative talent across various disciplines
- Making data-informed decisions to continuously iterate and improve the player experience
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, leadership, and passion for VR gaming and boxing. Candidates should have a strong portfolio and proven experience in directing the creative vision on shipped titles, preferably in VR or action genres.
π Key Responsibilities
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Define and drive the creative vision for Thrill of the Fight 2, ensuring it aligns with Halfbrickβs values and delivers a world-class VR boxing experience
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Lead a cross-disciplinary creative team of designers, artists, audio engineers, and writers, guiding creative output and fostering a high-performing, collaborative environment
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Shape gameplay, mechanics, and pacing to balance realism, challenge, and fun, while making the game accessible and satisfying for a wide range of players
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Review feedback and playtest results to make data-informed decisions and continuously iterate on core gameplay, UX, and overall player experience
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Collaborate with marketing and community teams to ensure the gameβs tone, visual style, and messaging are consistent across trailers, promotions, and player touchpoints
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of VR-specific design principles, gameplay systems, and player engagement. Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced, iterative development environment.
π― Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Fine Arts, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 5-10 years of experience in game development, with at least 3 years in a creative leadership role
Required Skills:
- Deep passion for games and VR boxing, with a strong connection to Halfbrickβs mission and portfolio
- Proven experience directing the creative vision on shipped titles, preferably in VR, action, or sports-related games
- Strong grasp of VR-specific / spatial design principles, including physical interaction, player comfort, immersive design, and intuitive controls
- Solid understanding of gameplay systems, combat mechanics, player progression, and what makes moment-to-moment gameplay feel great
- Excellent collaboration and communication skills, able to align cross-functional teams around a shared creative direction
- Natural leadership with the ability to inspire, guide, and level up creative talent across disciplines
Preferred Skills:
- Hands-on experience with Unity or Unreal Engine in a design or prototyping capacity
- Genuine interest in combat sports, boxing, or fitnessβas a player, viewer, or athlete
- Prior experience shipping titles on VR platforms like Meta Quest, PSVR2, or Steam
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a diverse background in game development and a strong passion for Halfbrick's games will be most successful in this role.
π° Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $120,000 - $180,000 AUD per year, commensurate with experience
Benefits:
- Mental health support program
- Flexible working hours
- Annual bonus program
- Extra leave, including charity and meditation leave
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexible hours and a focus on work-life balance
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a creative director role in game development. Final compensation will be determined based on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
π Applicant Insights
π Company Context
Industry: Halfbrick Studios is a leading game development company specializing in creating high-quality, engaging mobile and VR games. They are known for their hit titles like Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride.
Company Size: Halfbrick Studios has 51-200 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment that offers ample opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Founded: Halfbrick Studios was founded in 2001 and has since grown to become one of the most well-known game developers in the world.
Company Description:
- Halfbrick Studios values creativity, collaboration, and innovation in game development
- The company offers a vibrant, fun, and brimming-with-creativity work environment
- Halfbrick Studios is committed to training and professional growth, ensuring their teams stay hungry, humble, and smart
Company Specialties:
Company Website: http://www.halfbrick.com
ASSUMPTION: Halfbrick Studios' focus on creativity and collaboration makes it an attractive workplace for game development professionals seeking a dynamic and engaging environment.
π Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, requiring a high degree of expertise and leadership in creative direction and game development.
Reporting Structure: The Creative Director will report directly to the Head of Studios and will oversee a cross-disciplinary team of designers, artists, audio engineers, and writers.
Work Arrangement: This is a fully remote position, allowing for global applicants and a flexible work-life balance.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a leadership role within Halfbrick Studios, such as Head of Studios or Creative Director for other projects
- Opportunities to work on multiple projects and gain experience in various aspects of game development
- Chance to mentor and develop junior team members, fostering their growth and career advancement
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a lasting impact on Halfbrick Studios' future projects.
π Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Fully remote, with no physical office location required
Office Location(s): N/A (Global)
Geographic Context:
- Halfbrick Studios has a global presence, with team members located in various countries around the world
- The company's headquarters are in Brisbane, Australia, but this role does not require proximity to the headquarters
- The remote work environment allows for a flexible and adaptable work schedule, with a focus on results and productivity
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexible hours and a focus on work-life balance
ASSUMPTION: The fully remote work environment at Halfbrick Studios offers candidates the opportunity to work from anywhere in the world, providing a high degree of flexibility and work-life balance.
πΌ Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the HR team
- Creative challenge or test project
- Final interview with the Head of Studios and other key team members
Key Assessment Areas:
- Creativity and vision for the game's design and player experience
- Leadership and team management skills
- Understanding of VR-specific design principles and gameplay systems
- Communication and collaboration skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your creative vision, leadership, and game development experience
- Be ready to discuss your passion for games, VR boxing, and Halfbrick Studios' portfolio
ATS Keywords: Creative Direction, Game Design, VR Boxing, Leadership, Team Management, Unity, Unreal Engine, Playtesting, Data-Informed Decisions, Player Experience
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role will be competitive, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their creativity, leadership, and technical skills throughout the interview process.
π οΈ Tools & Technologies
- Unity or Unreal Engine
- VR-specific design and development tools
- Project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana, Trello)
- Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have experience with relevant game development tools and be comfortable learning new tools as needed.
π Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Creativity
- Collaboration
- Innovation
Work Style:
- Flexible and adaptable
- Results-driven
- Collaborative and team-oriented
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Halfbrick Studios' values of creativity, collaboration, and innovation?
- How comfortable are you working in a fully remote, global team environment?
- What aspects of your work style make you a good fit for this role and Halfbrick Studios' company culture?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who demonstrate a strong alignment with Halfbrick Studios' values and a flexible, collaborative work style will be most successful in this role.
β οΈ Potential Challenges
- Managing a remote, global team with varying time zones and work schedules
- Balancing the creative vision with technical constraints and project timelines
- Adapting to a fast-paced, iterative development environment
- Ensuring consistent branding and messaging across multiple platforms and touchpoints
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and be able to adapt to changing priorities and feedback.
π Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to other creative director positions in game development, but with a focus on VR-specific design principles and boxing game mechanics
- Halfbrick Studios' mid-sized company environment offers more opportunities for collaboration and growth than larger enterprise-level companies
- Candidates can expect a clear career path with opportunities for growth and advancement within the company
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work on a high-profile VR boxing game with a well-established and respected game development company.
π Sample Projects
- Previous VR boxing game projects or prototypes
- Game design documents or creative vision statements for similar games
- Portfolio pieces demonstrating leadership, team management, and creative direction skills
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their previous work and how it relates to the creative vision and goals for Thrill of the Fight 2.
β Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into Halfbrick Studios' long-term vision for the Thrill of the Fight franchise?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Halfbrick Studios support the growth and development of its creative team members?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working on a VR boxing game, and how can this role address them?
- How does Halfbrick Studios approach playtesting and gathering player feedback to inform game design decisions?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should come prepared with thoughtful questions that demonstrate their interest in the role and the company's long-term success.
π Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your creative vision, leadership, and game development experience
- Be ready to discuss your passion for games, VR boxing, and Halfbrick Studios' portfolio during the interview process
- Follow up with the Halfbrick Studios HR team one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about next steps
β οΈ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.