This job listing expired on Jun 14, 2021
Cloud Imperium Games Ltd. is looking for a Lead Environment Artist to drive the art production and pipelines for the First Person Shooter areas of Star Citizen/Squadron 42 with the production and engine groups across multiple studios.
The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of environment asset creation and modular kit-based construction methodologies. They understand all phases of environment creation from block-out through lighting. They work well and communicate with designers and other disciplines in a collaborative team oriented development process.
Sample pictures or portfolio link, which shows sample work are necessary.
Portfolio or demo reel should demonstrate:
- Exceptional modeling skills. Great assets examples using custom normal workflow or high to low poly baking
- Strong understanding of a PBR workflow
- Examples of building realistic shader libraries
- Examples of beautifully finished environments
- Ability to create game ready assets, that work well within the given technical limitations
- Very strong texturing skills and excellent knowledge of Adobe Photoshop
- Keen eye on detail and realism
- A strong sense for composition, color and light
- At least average drawing/painting skills
Responsibilities:
- Lead the creation of environment creation
- Lead by example to set the Environment Art quality level, and technical best practices
- Define art production budgets, pipelines, workflows and processes
- Be a go-to person for expert knowledge of modeling, texturing and optimization of assets through next gen pipeline
- Take direction, give direction, iterate on look and feel, gather feedback from the entire team and lead review of other artists work
- Work with Art and Game Directors to define and shape the overall look and feel of the game
- Work closely with the design team to detail the goals and functionality of game levels and needed environment props
- Work with production to determine asset requirements, scheduling needs, and integration processes
- Work with technical artists and engineers in the development and streamlining of tools and processes
Requirements:
- 5+ years professional game production experience
- 1+ year experience in a leadership role
- Previous experience creating high quality environments for AAA games
- Thorough knowledge of the game development process
- Shipped (from pre-production to release) 2-3+, large scale, 3D titles (PC, current/next-gen consoles)
- A strong ability to create believable environments within a games engine
- Strong knowledge of 3DS Max, Photoshop and Zbrush / Mudbox as well as experience in using editors to lay out environments
- Good understanding of custom normal asset workflows
- Strong knowledge of Substance / Quixel packages
- Ability to derive a well-structured lowpoly model from the high poly model
- Strong understanding of efficient UV layout for lowpoly objects
- Strong understanding of modular level creation methods
- Experience creating environments using modular systems
- An understanding of effective asset creation and optimization
- A strong understanding of shader functionality
- In-depth knowledge and/or experience with PBR
- Experience applying and tweaking shaders
- A keen eye for spatial composition and building believable scenes
- Excellent sense of form, mass and volume
- Passion for pushing the state of the art in asset fidelity and production techniques
- Strong understanding of asset pipelines and agile development environments
- Passion and constant drive to stay up to date with latest technology and new techniques
- Inherent ability to bring out the best in people around you, remains positive, and motivate your team
- Expert in time management, verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to gather, analyse, and act on feedback from the team, openness to critique
- Focused, motivated and effective on all tasks through completion
- Keep a positive team-oriented attitude
- Be proactive and self-motivated, work without direct supervision
- Ability to complete tasks within given time constraints
- Excellent English communication and written skills
Pluses:
- Knowledge with CryENGINE
- Hard surface modeling experience
- Experience with programmatic and/or parametric environment generation tools
- Experience in architecture, interior or industrial design
- Experience creating assets for Open World games
- Strong interest in science fiction based themes
- Experience with Outsourcing and/or collaboration with external studios
- The ability to manage and supervise mid-level and junior artists and willingness to carry out mentorship tasks