Market and User Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Market and User Researcher

Company: Tencent

Location: United States - California - Los Angeles

Job Type: On-site

Category: User Research

Date Posted: 2025-06-06

Experience Level: Mid-Senior level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

• Lead full-cycle user research for pre-launch games, focusing on enhancing game design and UX
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate insights into actionable design improvements
• Conduct playtesting, target audience segmentation, and product positioning research
• Analyze UI/UX usability and validate game design systems

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Lead user research for 2-3 pre-launch games across varying development stages
• Conduct playtesting, target audience segmentation, and product positioning research
• Analyze UI/UX usability and validate game design systems
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate insights into actionable design improvements

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, or a related discipline) or equivalent practical experience

Experience: 2-5 years of experience in user research, with a focus on the gaming industry

Required Skills:

• Proven proficiency in both qualitative (e.g., ethnographic interviews, diary studies) and quantitative (e.g., telemetry analysis, survey design) research methods
• Deep understanding of the North American gaming market, including player behavior across genres
• Strong analytical orientation and ability to synthesize player feedback into strategic recommendations
• Proven experience collaborating closely with game development teams

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with game engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine) and game design principles
• Fluency in multiple languages, with a focus on English and Spanish
• Experience with user research tools (e.g., UserTesting, UsabilityHub)

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case studies demonstrating your ability to conduct user research and translate insights into actionable design improvements
• Examples of your expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research methods
• Demonstration of your understanding of the North American gaming market and player behavior

Process Documentation:

• Research plans and methodologies used in previous projects
• Examples of your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders
• Detailed reports or presentations showcasing your analytical skills and strategic recommendations

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $92,880.0 to $157,680.0 per year

Benefits:

• Sign-on payment, relocation package, and restricted stock units
• Medical, financial, and other benefits dependent on the specific position offered

Working Hours: Full-time position with standard business hours

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Tencent is a leading global platform for game development, operations, and publishing, with a strong focus on the online gaming community in China

Company Size: Tencent has over 10,000 employees worldwide, with a significant presence in the online gaming and social networking industries

Founded: Tencent was founded in 1998 and has since grown into a world-leading internet and technology company

Team Structure:

• The User Research team is part of the larger Game Development division, working closely with design, narrative, and production teams
• The role reports directly to the User Research Manager and collaborates with various cross-functional teams
• The team follows an agile development methodology, with a strong focus on iterative improvement and player-centric design

Methodology:

• Tencent's user research process emphasizes a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, with a strong focus on player feedback and market analysis
• The company uses a data-driven approach to inform game design decisions and continuously improve the player experience
• Tencent encourages a culture of collaboration and innovation, with a strong emphasis on cross-functional teamwork and knowledge sharing

Company Website: Tencent Global

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This role is a mid-senior level position, requiring a strong analytical orientation and a deep understanding of the North American gaming market

Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the User Research Manager and collaborates with various cross-functional teams, including design, narrative, and production

Design Impact: The Market and User Researcher plays a critical role in informing game design decisions and enhancing the player experience, with a significant impact on the success of pre-launch games

Growth Opportunities:

• As the first LA-based User Researcher, this role offers the opportunity to establish and grow the user research function in the North American market, with potential career progression into a management or leadership position
• The role provides exposure to various aspects of game development, allowing for skill development and growth in the gaming industry
• Tencent offers learning and development opportunities, including industry conferences, workshops, and mentorship programs to support career progression

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Tencent's LA office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster creativity and innovation, with a strong focus on cross-functional teamwork and knowledge sharing

Office Location(s): Los Angeles, California

Design Workspace Context:

• The LA office features dedicated user research spaces, including playtesting labs and observation rooms, to facilitate user research activities
• The workspace is designed to accommodate both on-site and remote team members, with a focus on maintaining a collaborative and inclusive environment
• The office offers easy access to local gaming events, industry conferences, and other networking opportunities

Work Schedule: Full-time position with standard business hours, with flexibility for occasional remote work or adjusted hours to accommodate game development cycles

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• The interview process includes a portfolio review, case study presentation, and behavioral questions focused on user research skills and market analysis
• Candidates are expected to demonstrate their ability to conduct user research, analyze data, and translate insights into actionable design improvements
• The final stage of the interview process may include a game design challenge or case study presentation, assessing the candidate's ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and communicate effectively

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight case studies that demonstrate your ability to conduct user research and translate insights into actionable design improvements
• Include examples of your expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, with a focus on the North American gaming market
• Demonstrate your understanding of Tencent's company culture and commitment to advancing the gaming industry

Challenge Preparation:

• Prepare for game design challenges or case study presentations by familiarizing yourself with Tencent's game portfolio and understanding the company's approach to user research and game design
• Practice presenting your user research findings and recommendations in a clear and concise manner, with a focus on communicating effectively with cross-functional teams
• Research Tencent's company culture and values, and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's mission and goals

ATS Keywords: User Research, Gaming Market, North American Players, Game Design, UX/UI Design, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Player Behavior, Market Analysis, Cross-Functional Teams, Game Development

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• User research tools (e.g., UserTesting, UsabilityHub) for conducting playtesting and gathering player feedback
• Data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Google Analytics) for processing and interpreting user research data
• Presentation tools (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides) for communicating user research findings and recommendations

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Project management tools (e.g., JIRA, Asana) for tracking user research tasks and coordinating with cross-functional teams
• Communication platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams) for collaborating with team members and stakeholders
• File sharing platforms (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox) for storing and sharing user research data and materials

Research & Testing:

• Game engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine) for playtesting and validating game design systems
• Telemetry analysis tools (e.g., Mixpanel, Amplitude) for measuring player behavior and game performance
• Survey creation tools (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Google Forms) for gathering player feedback and market data

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• Player-centric approach: Tencent prioritizes the player experience and strives to create games that are engaging, accessible, and enjoyable for a diverse audience
• Data-driven decision-making: Tencent uses data and analytics to inform game design decisions and continuously improve the player experience
• Collaboration and innovation: Tencent encourages a culture of collaboration and innovation, with a strong emphasis on cross-functional teamwork and knowledge sharing
• User research expertise: Tencent values user research as a critical component of game development, with a strong focus on maintaining a player-centric approach throughout development cycles

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional teamwork: Tencent's user research team works closely with design, narrative, and production teams to ensure that user research insights are integrated into game design decisions
• Agile development methodology: Tencent uses an agile development approach, with a strong focus on iterative improvement and continuous feedback
• Knowledge sharing: Tencent encourages a culture of knowledge sharing and learning, with regular team meetings, workshops, and training opportunities

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Establishing a user research function in the North American market, with a focus on understanding the unique preferences and behaviors of North American players
• Balancing the need for data-driven decision-making with a player-centric approach, ensuring that user research insights are integrated into game design decisions without compromising the player experience
• Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams, including design, narrative, and production teams, to ensure that user research insights are communicated clearly and acted upon

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Developing expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, with a focus on the North American gaming market
• Expanding knowledge of game design principles and best practices, with a focus on enhancing the player experience and improving game performance
• Building relationships with industry partners, including game developers, publishers, and other stakeholders, to advance the gaming industry and enhance the player experience

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Describe your approach to conducting user research for pre-launch games, including playtesting, target audience segmentation, and product positioning research
• How do you analyze UI/UX usability and validate game design systems based on user research findings? Provide an example of a successful user research project and the impact it had on game design decisions
• How do you collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate user research insights into actionable design improvements? Describe your experience working with design, narrative, and production teams

Company Culture Questions:

• How do you align with Tencent's company culture and commitment to advancing the gaming industry? Provide an example of how your skills and experience have contributed to enhancing the player experience in previous roles
• How do you approach balancing data-driven decision-making with a player-centric approach? Describe your experience using data and analytics to inform game design decisions and improve the player experience
• How do you contribute to Tencent's culture of collaboration and innovation? Describe your experience working in a cross-functional team environment and the impact you've had on game development and the player experience

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Highlight case studies that demonstrate your ability to conduct user research and translate insights into actionable design improvements, with a focus on the North American gaming market
• Present your user research findings and recommendations in a clear and concise manner, with a focus on communicating effectively with cross-functional teams
• Demonstrate your understanding of Tencent's company culture and commitment to advancing the gaming industry, with a focus on enhancing the player experience and improving game performance

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Customize your portfolio to highlight case studies that demonstrate your ability to conduct user research and translate insights into actionable design improvements, with a focus on the North American gaming market
• Optimize your resume for design roles by incorporating relevant keywords and highlighting your skills and experience in user research, market analysis, and collaboration with cross-functional teams
• Prepare for the design interview by practicing your presentation skills and familiarizing yourself with Tencent's game portfolio, company culture, and commitment to advancing the gaming industry
• Research Tencent's company culture and values, and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's mission and goals