Job Description:

The Overwatch Team seeks a Lead Lighting Artist ready to step up and help illuminate and set the lighting direction of this brand-new world.

Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch team is looking for a talented lead lighting artist to join the leadership of our world-class development team. This role will work closely with both our Art and Game Graphics leadership to help create the compelling and epic environments that Overwatch is known for.

The ideal candidate must demonstrate an ability to articulate and own the vision for mood and lighting in Overwatch. They possess and exceptional understanding of how light, shadow, and color create environmental tone as well as work to guide the player and possess a thorough understanding of real-time game lighting. This position requires a creative and technically proficient approach to lighting levels for gameplay based on personal vision as well as conceptual illustrations.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with art and engine leads and directors to create compelling lighting for a variety of environments while maintaining a consistent style throughout the game.
Partner with our graphics and tools engineers to drive the evolution of our lighting tools and pipelines.
Work closely with the art, tech art, and design departments to conceptualize and implement real-time lighting solutions that satisfy both aesthetic and gameplay objectives.
Anticipate and work well within different production and technical constraints and understand the budgeting restrictions associated with them.
Create, maintain, and communicate documentation for lighting guidelines and implementation techniques.

Requirements

A minimum of 5 years game development experience, lighting a variety of in-game environments; a minimum of 2 years’ experience as a lead lighting or lead environment artist.
A portfolio or demo reel that demonstrates a keen eye for detail and the ability to use light, shadow, and color to create a variety of tones and moods.
Thorough understanding of real-time lighting techniques (including vertex lighting, dynamic lights, sub surface scattering, HDR, and pre-baked light map solutions).
Self-motivation, good communications skills, and a great team player.

Pluses

Have shipped AAA PC or console titles as a lighting artist
Familiar with 3ds Max, Maya, Photoshop and 3rd party lighting tools
Passionate gamer with experience playing a wide range of video games

Blizzard Entertainment is a global company committed to growing our employees along with the business. We offer generous benefits and perks with an eye on providing true work / life balance. We’ve worked hard to foster an intensely collaborative and creative environment, a diverse and inclusive employee culture, and training and opportunity for professional growth. Our people are everything. Our core values are real, and our mission has never changed. We are dedicated to creating the most epic entertainment experiences…ever. Join us!