Unreal Engine Gameplay Developer

Ember Crows Ltd

Project: ‘Names Go Dark’

Location: Battersea, London

Working model: On-site

Engagement: Freelance / project-based

About Ember Crows

Ember Crows is an independent game studio based in London, developing ‘Names Go Dark’, a third-person Slavic cyberpunk action RPG for PC and consoles.

Set on Proxima b, a tidally locked planet divided between eternal light and endless darkness, ‘Names Go Dark’ combines action RPG gameplay with a world shaped by Slavic mythology, Central European folklore and near-future technology.

We are currently building the playable prototype and vertical slice and are looking for an Unreal Engine Gameplay Developer to join the development team in our Battersea office.

Job Description

As an Unreal Engine Gameplay Developer, you will work closely with the Game Director, Game Designer and wider creative team to develop and implement the core gameplay systems of ‘Names Go Dark’.

You will take ownership of gameplay features from prototype through iteration, helping us turn design concepts into responsive, polished and technically sound gameplay.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and iterate gameplay mechanics and systems in Unreal Engine 5.
• Implement gameplay features using C++ and Blueprints.
• Develop player movement, interactions, abilities and combat systems.
• Implement the core light/dark gameplay mechanics of ‘Names Go Dark’.
• Develop enemy and NPC gameplay behaviours.
• Work closely with the Game Designer to prototype and implement new mechanics.
• Integrate animation, VFX, audio and UI feedback into gameplay.
• Support transitions between gameplay and cinematic sequences.
• Debug gameplay and technical issues.
• Profile and optimise gameplay systems.
• Write clean, maintainable and reusable code.
• Take ownership of assigned gameplay features through implementation and testing.
• Participate in playtesting and iterate features based on feedback.
• Collaborate with artists, designers, animation, cinematic and audio contributors.
• Maintain clear technical documentation and project organisation.

Qualifications

• Professional or equivalent hands-on experience developing games in Unreal Engine.
• Strong practical knowledge of Unreal Engine 5.
• Good C++ programming skills.
• Strong knowledge of Unreal Engine Blueprints.
• Experience implementing gameplay mechanics and systems.
• Understanding of Unreal Engine gameplay architecture.
• Strong debugging and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with source control such as Git or Perforce.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of features.
• Good communication and collaboration skills.
• Portfolio, gameplay footage, repository or shipped work demonstrating relevant experience.

Nice to Have

• Experience with third-person action games or action RPGs.
• Gameplay Ability System.
• Combat systems.
• Enemy AI and Behaviour Trees.
• Animation Blueprints or Motion Matching.
• Niagara.
• Sequencer.
• Gameplay-to-cinematic transitions.
• Performance profiling and optimisation.
• Experience developing for PC or consoles.
• Experience working on a shipped game.

Location

This role is based on-site at our Battersea office in London.

We are building a small core development team and want the Gameplay Developer working closely with the Game Designer and Game Director during prototyping, implementation and playtesting.

Compensation

This is currently a project-based freelance engagement under Ember Crows’ points-based profit-sharing model. There is no guaranteed upfront salary or freelance fee. Compensation is linked to agreed project milestones through contractual profit-participation points, which may generate payments from the project’s Profit Pool if the game becomes commercially successful. Full details of the compensation structure and agreement will be provided before engagement.

Apply

Apply through the Ember Crows website with

• CV
• Portfolio or professional website
• Relevant Unreal Engine projects
• Gameplay videos or playable builds where available
• GitHub or repository links where relevant
• A brief description of what you personally implemented
• Current location and availability

Please show us work that demonstrates what you can build in Unreal Engine.