3D character Animator

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PeopleFun seeks a top-talent 3D Character Animator (contractor) who has a deep passion for games, especially in mid-core mobile space, who is experienced in creating amazing high quality animations for very dynamic characters. This position requires someone with expertise in efficient game rigs and how to make amazing key poses to bring creations of kinds to life. Will need to be an expert in crafting animations and getting them working in the Unity engine. As a Sr Animator, you will likely be the animation champion of a game, and will drive additional animation resources by forging benchmark work that represent the gold-standard for a new franchise.

 

This project is in production with PeopleFun in Dallas,  Texas. We ask that contractors be available to work at least 4 hours overlap with US Central Standard Time for the first 4 weeks of the engagement. Please reach out if you have strong candidates but are unsure about working hours overlap, or if there are any questions.

 

Location / time zone preferences: Overlap with US time zone (4+ hours overlap with CST time zone)

Language preferences: Good English Speaker (B1 - B2 or above)

Art style reference game: Clash Royale

When submitting a candidate, please also submit their portfolio, if available.

• Supports team in all animation efforts, working closely with programmers, designers, production, and everyone else on a tightly-knit game development team
• Build/Maintain high quality character animations for our project
• Coordinate and take part in the design of early 2D or 3D elements during pre-production: storyboard/animatic/previs, gameplay prototyping, fake footage, blocking, etc.
• Help develop and maintain animation standards for the project.
• Supporting/Creating a character pipeline that can lean into customization or modularity.
• Drive quality and style standards for additional animation development with outsource partners.
• Full animation pipe expertise. Take an unrigged static character model all the way to animating in the Unity engine

• 5+ years prior professional experience as a 3D animator developing games (Preferably worked in Unity engine before)
• Ability to quickly rig and animate a variety of characters and creatures for real-time use in the Unity engine.
• Mastery in breathing life into characters of all shapes and sizes.
• Excellent blocking skills that allow for rapid results in early iteration and testing.
• Highly collaborative. Experience working with other artists and can take the lead on strike teams, features, or art lead projects.
• Takes initiative and will help create and maintain a vision for a game, understanding that following through with memorable game experiences is a team effort
• A passionate, performance-driven self-starter
• Good 2d skills, but a mastery in 3D animation.
• Experienced in creating Style guides, Brand guidelines & other necessary documentation
• Be passionate, and love the games you are helping to create. Understand the market and the broad audience that we are reaching with PeopleFun games, and be able to create artwork that continues to grow and evolve in that space.
• Actively seeks out additional ways to learn and grow.
• Flexible, and adaptable to changing and evolving needs of a live product
• MUST have a portfolio with work samples that illustrate your expertise in your craft, and have shipped quality games in the mobile space.

• Mastery and deep understanding of Unity for mobile game development
• Photoshop (or equivalent) painting mastery
• Interest in player behavior and player experience, with a solid understanding of how character assets in games drive collectibility
• Deep mobile market knowledge
• Ability to work with internal and external artists and outsource companies
• Ability to create 3d character artwork by taking all the way from start to finish (in engine)
• 3d animation skills in 3dmax/ Maya or similar 3d software

AppLovin is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, age, disability, medical condition, religion, marital status or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.