Release Manager

Remote Ok

Permanent

Full Time

Live Ops

About the Job

IllFonic is looking for an experienced Release Manager to join our team to help drive consistency across all project releases. In this role you will need be the bridge between internal development and First Party teams, ensuring smooth and successful releases. If you have a passion for championing release quality above all else, then this is the role for you!

About the Company

Founded in 2007, IllFonic is an independent video game developer and publisher with studios in Lakewood, Colorado, Tacoma, Washington, and Austin, Texas. Our staff is composed of video game, music, and technology veterans redefining how indie and middle-market games are made and marketed. Current / Past titles and collaborations include Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed, Arcadegeddon, Predator: Hunting Grounds, Friday the 13th: The Game, Dead Alliance, Star Citizen, Evolve, Armored Warfare, and Nexuiz.

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Responsibilities

  • Setup, Maintain, and Request platform services from First Parties

    • Request Product ID’s

    • Configure Sandboxes

    • Setup and configure all products and entitlements; Full Game, DLC, Virtual Currencies, and Betas

    • Work with our internal Marcom department to setup all store assets, pricing, and metadata in First Party ecosystems

    • Maintain content across the development, test, cert and release environments; Xbox sandboxes, Sony environments, etc.

  • Manage a smooth submission and cert process on our Products

    • Maintain proper versioning on submission candidates

    • Maintain and coordinate release dates for full product launches, patches and DLC release both internal and externally

    • Obtain ratings by submitting to the appropriate ratings boards for our products.

    • Work with Development and Marcom Teams to generate patch notes, release assets, and release plans

    • Work with the development teams and First Party Platforms to clarify issues around compliance violations and implementation of fixes

    • Work with the Production and QA Teams to identify submission blockers

    • Escalate issues and request waivers from First Party as needed

  • Maintain Builds for both internal and external consumption

    • Ensure proper branches/artifacts/builds are created on the appropriate P4 streams for the intended audience

    • Facilitate build creation as needed for a specific audience; ex. mock reviews, ratings, partners, etc.

    • Request and distribute keys through the First Parties to grant access to builds for various partners

    • Work with various vendors that provide service and middleware for our Products

    • Manage the export and ingestion of localization files from vendors

    • Work with Compliance QA vendors

    • Work with middleware vendors to secure the latest SDK’s/Libraries as well as setup up additional environments in their ecosystems as needed

  • Maintain documentation on the process of the above requirements and communicate the appropriate information to the right people

Requirements

  • 4+ Years of game development experience

  • Previous Experience as a Release Manager or Producer on a shipped title

  • Experience with the various platform submission processes for consoles and PC

  • Experience with the various regional age rating boards and requirements

  • Able to collaborate with different departments; Developers, Production, QA, and Marketing

  • Able to effectively communicate between internal and external parties

  • Able to boil down complex procedures into simple steps

Bonus

  • Bonus: Experience with Agile Development Methodologies

  • Bonus: Previous UE4 Experience and not afraid of P4

  • Bonus: Previous experience on a live product

Benefits & Compensation

  • Flexible work location options including remote, hybrid or in office

  • 100% employee paid medical, dental and vision coverage + 50% coverage for dependents

  • 401k + 4% company match

  • Competitive salary in the independent game developer market, with career progression and continued education encouraged and supported by management at all levels

  • Royalty Bonus Plan paid out after each calendar quarter during the year

  • Wellness Program that rewards work-life balance

  • Unlimited PTO and almost 7 weeks of mandated time off of work annually including First Friday Wellness Days of each month, Summer Break the week of 4th of July, Winter Break the last two weeks of the year, and an additional 7 holidays during the year

  • Moonlighting allowed for all non-competitive endeavors