Gameplay Animator, 3D

Job Description

Elsewhere Entertainment is looking for a Expert Gameplay Animator to help shape the animation vision for an exciting new IP. You’ll combine outstanding animation craft with deep gameplay and combat expertise, collaborating with highly skilled developers to create innovative, exhilarating and expansively entertaining experiences. As a senior creative voice on the project, you’ll help elevate both the game and the studio through inclusivity, mutual respect, thoughtfulness, empathy, professionalism and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Owning and driving the quality bar for gameplay animation, with a particular focus on responsive, readable and satisfying combat.
• Creating and refining high-quality character animations using strong animation fundamentals, gameplay principles and motion-capture data.
• Shaping animation approaches that support combat design, player expression, enemy behaviours, traversal and moment-to-moment gameplay.
• Partnering closely with Design, Engineering, Art, Audio and Narrative to ensure animation enhances the overall player experience.
• Applying deep knowledge of game design mechanics, 3Cs (character, camera and controls), AI behaviour, camera animation and narrative context.
• Contributing to animation systems, state machines, blending, transitions and in-engine implementation to achieve fluid, responsive gameplay.
• Providing clear creative direction, feedback and mentorship to help raise the craft and capability of the animation team.
• Identifying opportunities to improve tools, workflows and pipelines, helping the team work more effectively at scale.
• Solving complex technical and creative challenges while balancing quality, performance and production needs.

Qualifications and Experience

• Significant gameplay animation experience, including a senior or principal-level contribution to one or more shipped titles.
• Strong combat animation skills, with experience creating impactful, responsive player and enemy combat behaviours.
• A deep understanding of combat readability, timing, anticipation, hit reactions, attack cycles, locomotion and player control.
• Experience working in game engines and contributing to animation systems and implementation.
• Strong knowledge of motion-capture pipelines, including editing, cleanup and blending mocap with keyframe animation.
• Exceptional animation fundamentals across human and creature movement, including timing, weight, balance and physicality.
• Proven experience collaborating across disciplines and influencing creative decisions at a project level.
• A thoughtful, constructive approach to giving feedback and supporting the growth of other animators.
• Advanced proficiency in Maya and the ability to adapt quickly to new tools and technologies.
• Strong technical and collaborative problem-solving skills.

Company Information

At Activision, the goal is to create the most iconic brands in gaming and entertainment. The company is driven by a mission to deliver unrivaled gaming experiences for the world to enjoy, together. Home to beloved franchises including Call of Duty, Crash Bandicoot, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, Guitar Hero, Skylanders, World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, Candy Crush, and Bubble Witch.

Activision Blizzard, Inc. is the world’s largest interactive entertainment company, with operations across North America, Europe, and Asia. Recognized as one of FORTUNE’s "100 Best Companies To Work For" for five consecutive years, and featured on the “Most Admired Companies” and “Future 50” lists. The organization employs over 10,000 global staff across entertainment, media, and technology. The company is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and encourages all qualified candidates to apply.