About the role
d3t is at the forefront of videogame technology and creativity, delivering experienced co-development services to some of the biggest AAA clients in the world. The studio, part of the global Keywords Studios Group, works on multiple exciting projects at any one time, offering variety and involvement.
Studio projects have included EA SPORTS FC 26, Hogwarts Legacy, Exoborne, Mafia: The Old Country, Alan Wake Remastered, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Vampire The Masquerade - Blood Hunt, Mafia II: Definitive Edition, and Assetto Corsa Competizione. Global clients include Playground Games, EA, and Archetype Entertainment.
The studio operates from Daresbury (Cheshire), Newcastle (Tyne & Wear), and Madrid (Spain). d3t promotes an anti-crunch mentality, a mentoring ethos, and has been awarded Best Places to Work by gamesindustry.biz. The studio won Best Creative Service Provider at Develop 2022 and was nominated in 2023 and 2024.
Role Overview
This is a 12-month fixed-term contract (with possible extension) based at either the Daresbury or Newcastle UK studios. The role is hybrid, requiring 3 days per week in the studio (Wednesday, Thursday, and one additional day of the candidate's choice).
The Art team blends technical excellence with game development craft, covering the full development cycle from co-development on features and content to benchmark creation and remakes/remasters. Deliverables include Environment, Character, VFX, and Animation, alongside the tools and pipelines that power them.
Responsibilities
- Establish and maintain project art pipelines from inception throughout the project life-cycle.
- Support art and animation team requirements and assist with resolving technical issues.
- Create and integrate in-house toolsets and create materials/shaders.
- Ensure all artwork hits memory and frame rate guidelines/restrictions through performance profiling.
- Collaborate with artists, providing feedback to improve the performance of in-game assets while maintaining visual fidelity.
- Take ownership of specific game features when required.
- Ensure all artwork adheres to guidelines regarding naming conventions, texture layering structures, etc.
- Keep up to date with industry advancements and technologies and share knowledge with the art team.
- Add to the library of tutorials, documents, and technical guides to improve pipeline efficiency and proactively find solutions to technical issues.
- Adhere to schedules with a professional and organized approach and provide prompt feedback regarding project concerns.
- Ensure the right tasks are tackled in the correct order, update Jira, communicate progress, and help manage team deliverables.
- Advise Technical Art Leadership of resourcing concerns and production risks.
- Encourage and mentor other members of the Technical Art Team.
- Demonstrate autonomy, self-driven work, and responsibility for work quality and processes, contributing fresh ideas.
- Motivate Tech Artists, inspire colleagues, and promote a culture of collaborative innovation.
Essential Skills
- Enjoyment of the technical challenge and constraints of real-time game art with an understanding of modern rendering, shading, and lighting techniques.
- Performance and quality-focused mindset.
- Excellent working knowledge and proficiency in Maya and/or 3DS Max.
- Excellent in-depth knowledge of Python.
- Excellent communication and organization skills with experience working in a multidisciplinary art team.
- Evidence of being an enthusiastic leader or role model in an intermediate art role.
- Ability to create materials/shaders and a good understanding of PBR workflows.
- Excellent understanding of the technical limitations of current console hardware.
- Practical and methodical approach to technical and creative problem-solving.
- Dependability and commitment to projects and tasks, and a hunger to learn and improve as a Technical Artist.
- Flexible and calm approach with the ability to adapt to change.
- Ability to deliver quality work within fixed time constraints.
- Strong knowledge of modern game engines such as Unreal Engine or Unity.
- Excellent knowledge of current game development practices and terminology and a passion for staying up to date with the latest technology.
Desirable Skills
- Knowledge of other scripting languages.
- Knowledge of the Maya API and programming in C++ or C#.
- Understanding of various other tools and software used in development, including Photoshop, Substance, Houdini, etc.
- At least 4 years of experience working in game development.
- Experience with at least three published titles.
- At least two full project cycles in an Intermediate Art position.
Benefits and Perks
- 22 days holiday + 3 Festive Studio Closure days + Bank Holidays.
- Company Pension Scheme.
- Flexible Working Hours (discretionary flexible hours system).
- Private Medical Insurance Scheme (BUPA).
- Anti-crunch ethos in a professional, fun, and supportive environment.
- Free Parking.
- Company Socials, Monthly Lunches, and Annual d3t Events.
- Breakout Areas featuring games, a BBQ area, and complimentary snacks catering to various dietary preferences.
Interview Process
- First interviews are held via video call.
- Second interviews are held on-site.
d3t is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. Candidates who do not meet every single requirement are encouraged to apply.