About the role
We are looking for an experienced VFX Game Lead – Freelance who can define, design, and drive the visual identity of our game’s dynamic effects. In this role, you will take visual effects from initial 2D stylized concepts and particle sketches all the way to fully realized, high-performance 3D engine implementations. You will combine artistic vision with technical expertise to lead the VFX pipeline, working closely with Art, Animation, and Game Design teams to create impactful visual feedback that elevates the overall gameplay experience.
Responsibilities
- Define and maintain the visual direction and quality standard for game VFX, spanning dynamic combat, environment feedback, UI elements, and cinematic moments.
- Create high-impact 2D and 3D visual effects utilizing particle systems, custom shaders, textures, fluids, and meshes inside the game engine.
- Establish and optimize the VFX pipeline, setting performance budgets, shader guidelines, and technical standards for smooth engine integration.
- Collaborate closely with Art, Technical, and Game Design teams to ensure visual effects clearly communicate gameplay readability, hitboxes, and timing.
- Guide, mentor, and provide clear creative and technical feedback to artists to maintain artistic consistency across all visual effects assets.
- Collaborate with external development teams and vendors to communicate expectations, review progress, and maintain quality.
- Other as required.
Qualifications
Must Have:
- Strong portfolio demonstrating high-quality gameplay, character, environmental, or cinematic effects.
- Mastery of industry-standard visual effects tools and software (e.g., Photoshop, Houdini, Substance Designer, Maya/Blender for VFX meshes).
- Strong understanding of composition, timing, color, shape language, motion, contrast, and visual hierarchy.
- Proven experience leading or directing VFX direction, with strong communication skills and a vision for cohesive art styles.
Desirable:
- Advanced hands-on experience in Unity or Unreal Engine.
- Solid understanding of HLSL/GLSL shaders, custom materials, and GPU optimization techniques.
- Experience working on established intellectual properties (IPs).
About the Company
Fair Play Labs is a game development studio focused on the development of fun, casual, and engaging game titles for gamers of all ages. Our particular emphasis is placed on gameplay and the overall player experience.
We believe that playing games is not just a leisure activity; it is an activity in which people interact with each other, learn, and get real value from the time they invest having fun!