PROGRAMMING
The Programming department at Fearplay is responsible for developing and implementing the technical systems that power our games. Team members work with various engines and technologies, including Unreal Engine and RPG Maker MZ, to create gameplay mechanics, tools, and interactive features.
Roles in this department include Unreal Engine Developers, Programmers, and RPG Maker MZ Developers. The team collaborates closely with designers, artists, and writers to ensure that ideas are translated into stable, functional, and engaging gameplay experiences.
AI Programmer
The AI Programmer brings life to Fearplay’s characters and threats. This role focuses on creating behaviors, decision-making systems, and interactions that enhance tension, unpredictability, and immersion.
Key Responsibilities
- Implement AI behaviors for enemies, NPCs, and interactive systems
- Develop decision-making systems (e.g. state machines, behavior trees)
- Support the creation of dynamic and reactive gameplay scenarios
- Collaborate with Designers and Narrative to align AI behavior with gameplay and tone
- Iterate on AI based on playtesting to improve challenge and player experience
- Help debug and refine AI systems and interactions
Ideal Skills & Qualities
- Interest in AI systems, behaviors, and player interaction
- Basic understanding of logic, scripting, or programming (e.g. C++, Blueprints)
- Curiosity about how AI can create tension, unpredictability, and fear
- Interest in horror gameplay and psychological design
- Familiarity with Unreal Engine 5 AI tools (Behavior Trees, EQS, etc.) is a plus, but not required
- Willingness to learn, experiment, and collaborate with the team
Engine Programmer
The Engine Programmer supports the technical foundation of Fearplay by working on systems that ensure performance, stability, and scalability. This role focuses on optimizing and extending engine-level functionality to support the team’s creative vision.
Key Responsibilities
- Work on engine-level systems and performance optimization in Unreal Engine 5
- Support rendering, memory management, and technical pipelines
- Assist in improving performance, stability, and overall efficiency
- Collaborate with Gameplay Programmers, Technical Artists, and Designers to solve technical challenges
- Help integrate tools, workflows, and systems that support development
- Debug and troubleshoot complex technical issues
Ideal Skills & Qualities
- Interest in game engine architecture and low-level systems
- Basic understanding of C++, performance optimization, or engine workflows
- Curiosity about how engines handle rendering, memory, and large systems
- Interest in solving technical challenges behind the scenes
- Familiarity with Unreal Engine 5 or similar engines is a plus, but not required
- Willingness to learn, research, and collaborate with the team
Gameplay Programmer
The Gameplay Programmer brings Fearplay’s mechanics and interactions to life. This role focuses on implementing gameplay features, systems, and player interactions that support tension, immersion, and responsiveness.
Key Responsibilities
- Implement gameplay mechanics and systems using Unreal Engine 5 and C++
- Collaborate with Designers to translate ideas into functional gameplay features
- Develop player interactions, controls, and core gameplay functionality
- Support the integration of UI, animation, and audio into gameplay systems
- Help debug, test, and refine gameplay features
- Work with the team to iterate on mechanics based on feedback and playtesting
Ideal Skills & Qualities
- Interest in gameplay programming and interactive systems
- Basic understanding of C++, Unreal Engine, or similar technologies
- Curiosity about how mechanics, controls, and systems shape player experience
- Interest in horror gameplay, tension, and immersive interaction design
- Experience with Unreal Engine 5, Blueprints, or scripting is a plus, but not required
- Willingness to learn, experiment, and collaborate with the team
UI Programmer
The UI Programmer implements and maintains the user interface systems that connect players to Fearplay’s gameplay. This role focuses on making interfaces functional, responsive, and seamlessly integrated into the overall experience.
Key Responsibilities
- Implement UI systems and features using Unreal Engine 5 (e.g. UMG)
- Translate UI/UX designs into functional in-game interfaces
- Support menus, HUDs, and interaction systems
- Collaborate with UX Designers, UI Artists, and Gameplay Programmers
- Ensure UI is responsive, readable, and performs well across different scenarios
- Help debug and refine UI systems based on feedback
Ideal Skills & Qualities
- Interest in UI programming and player interaction systems
- Basic understanding of C++, Blueprints, or similar scripting approaches
- Curiosity about usability, responsiveness, and player experience
- Interest in clean, immersive UI that supports horror atmosphere
- Familiarity with Unreal Engine 5 (UMG) or similar UI frameworks is a plus, but not required
- Willingness to learn, iterate, and collaborate with the team
UI Programmer
The Tools Programmer supports the Fearplay team by creating and improving tools, workflows, and pipelines that make development more efficient. This role focuses on enabling others to work faster, smoother, and more effectively.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain tools that support designers, artists, and programmers
- Improve workflows and pipelines within Unreal Engine 5 and related tools
- Support automation of repetitive tasks and processes
- Collaborate with all disciplines to identify pain points and improve productivity
- Help integrate external tools (e.g. Articy:Draft, Blender, Jira, Trello) into the workflow
- Debug and maintain internal tools and systems
Ideal Skills & Qualities
- Interest in tools development, workflows, and pipelines
- Basic understanding of C++, scripting, or software development concepts
- Curiosity about improving efficiency and solving workflow challenges
- Interest in supporting a team rather than working only on gameplay features
- Familiarity with Unreal Engine 5, scripting, or pipeline tools is a plus, but not required
- Willingness to learn, problem-solve, and collaborate with different disciplines
Graphics Programmer
The Graphics Programmer enhances the visual experience of Fearplay by working on rendering, lighting, and visual effects systems. This role focuses on supporting atmosphere, performance, and visual fidelity, helping bring the game’s horror aesthetic to life.
Key Responsibilities
- Work on rendering, lighting, and visual systems in Unreal Engine 5
- Support the implementation and optimization of visual effects and shaders
- Collaborate with Artists and Technical Artists to achieve the desired visual style
- Help improve performance and visual quality across different environments
- Assist in debugging graphical issues and optimizing rendering pipelines
- Contribute to the technical side of atmosphere and visual storytelling
Ideal Skills & Qualities
- Interest in graphics programming, rendering, and visual systems
- Basic understanding of shaders, lighting, or rendering concepts
- Curiosity about how visuals contribute to mood, tension, and immersion
- Interest in horror aesthetics and atmospheric visual design
- Familiarity with Unreal Engine 5, shaders, or graphics APIs is a plus, but not required
- Willingness to learn, experiment, and collaborate with the team