Team Name:
Unannounced Project
Job Title:
Principal 3D Character Artist - Unannounced Game | Irvine, CA or Albany, NY
Requisition ID:
R024877
Job Description:
At Blizzard, we craft genre-defining games and legendary worlds for all to share. Through unparalleled creativity and storytelling, we create immersive universes and iconic characters that are beloved across platforms, borders, backgrounds, and generations - only made possible by building a work environment that nurtures the artistry of game development and unleashes the aspirations of our people.
Blizzard Entertainment is looking for a well-rounded Principle 3D Character Artist to help craft a new, unannounced game for Blizzard. You should have extensive experience working with modeling, sculpting, and texturing tools to achieve photorealistic characters, weapons, and props. Additionally, you should have expertise in human and creature anatomy, hard surface modeling, and in Unreal Engine 5, paired with a strong technical background in game development and the character pipeline.
This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work-from-home. The potential home studio for this role is Irvine, CA.
Responsibilities
Priorities can often change in a fast-paced environment like ours, so this role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:
- Lead the creation of high-quality, detailed 3D models from realistic humans and creatures to vehicles, weapons and props.
- Collaborate with the art director and other team leads to ensure artistic consistency and quality.
- Mentor and provide guidance to junior modelers and artists.
- Work closely with the animation and technical teams to ensure models are optimized for performance.
- Stay current with and continually research trends, tools, and techniques within our industry to see how they can benefit our workflows and push innovation.
- Assist with the recruitment and training of new team members.
Requirements
- Minimum of 10 years experience in game development as an artist specializing in character modeling using Maya, Photoshop, Substance Painter, Zbrush, or Mudbox.
- Exceptional understanding of next-generation asset creation pipelines and tools.
- An exceptional understanding of sculpting form, shape, structure, and silhouette.
- Demonstrated proficiency in traditional hard-surface poly modeling techniques.
- Great eye for light, shading, color, and detail in creating texture maps.
- Self-motivation, outstanding communication skills, and a great team-player attitude.
- Able to work creatively as part of a large or small group.
- Proven problem-solving and prototyping ability.
- Able to effectively collaborate with every department of a game development team (game designers, programmers, tech art, animation, etc.).
- Passion for video games.
Pluses
- Extensive experience working with a AAA game engine, e.g. Unreal, Unity, etc.
- Knowledge of scripting languages such as Python or MEL.
- Experience with photogrammetry and scanning techniques.
- Experience using Marvelous Designer and hair systems.
- Understanding of rigging and deformation.
- Familiarity with Blizzard games and cinematics.
Submission / Portfolio requirements
- Portfolio and / or reel demonstrating relevant artistic skills required.
- Only online artwork submissions will be accepted (e.g. website, blog or online album).
Your Platform
Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via Battle.net®, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.
Our World
Activision Blizzard, Inc., is one of the world's largest and most successful interactive entertainment companies and is at the intersection of media, technology and entertainment. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty®, World of Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, Candy Crush™ and Bubble Witch™. Our combined entertainment network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users in 196 countries, making us the largest gaming network on the planet!
Our ability to build immersive and innovative worlds is only enhanced by diverse teams working in an inclusive environment. We aspire to have a culture where everyone can thrive in order to connect and engage the world through epic entertainment. We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!
The video game industry and therefore our business is fast-paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners
We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all the qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.
We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to accommodationrequests@activisionblizzard.com. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.
Rewards
We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered! Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:
- Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;
- 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;
- Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;
- Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;
- If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.
Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company. You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/ .
In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $116,800.00 - $216,000.00 Annual. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role’s range details for your local geography during the hiring process. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable.
