CREATING ORIGINAL VIDEO GAMES OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY

Ascendant Studios is looking for a Lead Animator to help bring our first title to life. This is a full time, on site position at our office in San Rafael, California. Our ideal applicant has a solid animation background paired with strong technical ability and pipeline knowledge. Prior work in games is required, and experience with Unreal Engine would be a big plus.

Key Responsibilities

• Help drive AAA quality standards, establish guidelines and requirements for animation across the title
• Collaborate with engineering and design teams to define animation pipeline and associated workflows
• Hire, mentor,  train and provide feedback to other animation team members
• Animate a variety of character types, creatures, and environmental objects using a blend of keyframe and mo-cap. Iterate on animations based on gameplay requirements and artistic direction
• Collaborate with programmers and tech artists to implement animations into the Unreal Engine
• Actively contribute to the growth and success of our new start up studio. Lead by example, including demonstrating a willingness to give and receive constructive feedback, collaborate with others to share techniques, ideas and best practices

Requirements

• 5+years of experience as an animator in the video game industry, with a preference of previous work on AAA titles.
• At least one year in an animation leadership position
• Completed at least one AAA production cycle, from inception to ship
• Previous work with Unreal Engine 4, including using blueprints and state machine
• Experienced in setting up pipelines and processes for both cinematic and in-game animation
• Proficiency in working with external teams, including sending out packages of work, giving feedback, and generally setting them up to succeed
• Expert proficiency with Maya
• Solid foundational animation skills, such as timing, weight, and human anatomy
• Ability to work independently, problem solve on the fly, and collaborate efficiently across disciplines in a small, fast moving team
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, great time management and organization skills

Good to Have

• Experience with rigging and rig creation
• Familiar with the Unreal A.R.T. V1 for both rigging and animation
• Previous work with motion capture recording and processing, directing motion capture shoots
• Tools writing and Python/MEL scripting experience
• Familiar with Motion Builder

To Apply
Please email jobs@ascendantstudios.com with your application materials. Please include the job title you’re applying for in the email’s subject line.

Ascendant Studios is looking for a talented and creative environment artist to help bring our first title to life. This is a full time, on site position at our office in San Rafael, California. Prior work on an AAA title, or in the Unreal Engine, is a big plus, and our ideal applicant will be able to work independently alongside design to come up with and execute fantastical level ideas.

Key Responsibilities 

• Create efficient in-game models, UV’s and materials for both organic and inorganic environments, including props, foliage suites, and modular kits
• Prototype and grey block assets and environments, collaborating closely with level designers to uphold gameplay and flow as well as aesthetics
• Work with the Art Director to maintain artistic style and quality in the environments (including asset and material creation, lighting, and level build out)
• Maintain a balance of art quality versus performance in the game engine
• Work with the art director and designers to come up with new level concepts and gather reference
• Give, receive, and make changes to your work based on constructive feedback

Requirements

• 5+ years experience as an Environment Artist or other role responsible for creating game-ready assets in a full-cycle game development studio
• Understanding of modularity and environment systems used in fast, iterative, and efficient production
• Experience in game engine environment setup (lighting, time of day, fog/skyboxes, palette control, and post process effects)
• Understanding of modern materials and shaders and a high level of proficiency with Maya, Zbrush, and Substance Designer/Painter
• Strong traditional art fundamentals, including the function of form and color, proportions, shape, etc.
• Excellent problem solving skills, ability to identify and resolve issues, and understanding of technical dependencies

Good to Have 

• Familiarity with Houdini, World Machine, SpeedTree, or other industry standard software.
• Previous work with Unreal Engine
• Previous experience working on an AAA, 1st person, console title

To Apply
Please email jobs@ascendantstudios.com with your application materials. Please include the job title you’re applying for in the email’s subject line.

Ascendant Studios is looking for a multi-talented concept artist to develop the look of our AAA title from the ground up. Our ideal candidate has exceptional foundational art skills and can generate a large number of unique ideas very quickly. Their portfolio must demonstrate skills across a variety of topics (characters, creatures, environments, props, etc.) as well as both final rendered pieces and early explorational thumbnails.

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with the art director and creative director to establish look of the game and its world.
• Concept a wide variety of characters, objects, environments, and VFX. If it exists, we’ll probably need you to draw it.
• Create a large number of thumbnails to explore varied ideas, as well as final rendered pieces to inspire the team and external parties.
• Generate orthographics, turnarounds, and material callouts to aid in modeling assets and level creation.
• Give and receive constructive feedback. Iterate on designs based on team feedback and gameplay needs.

Requirements

• Exceptional foundational art skills, such as color theory, shape language, composition, lighting, and perspective.
• Superior understanding of anatomy and mastery of life drawing with ability to illustrate exciting and dynamic character poses.
• Ability to generate a large number of varied ideas quickly, getting across the most important elements in an efficient manner.
• Excellent communication skills, ability to both give and receive constructive feedback. We are looking for someone who is a great collaborator and team player.
• Fantastic imagination and the drive to concept a world from the ground up, with a focus both on stunning visuals and believable construction principles.
• Exceptional ability to develop and follow a set art style.
• Proficiency with Photoshop.
• Great visual research and reference skills.
• A portfolio demonstrating art across a variety of subjects, including characters, environments, architecture, props, and creatures, as well as including sketchbook materials.
• A passion for games.

Good to Have

• Work in a professional production environment strongly preferred.
• Previous experience in the videogame industry, especially on an AAA title.
• Experience with 3D packages such as Maya, Blender, Sketchup, Modo, etc.
• Interest in other areas of art and games, such as graphic design, level design, UI/UX, etc.

To Apply
Please email jobs@ascendantstudios.com with your application materials. Please include the job title you’re applying for in the email’s subject line.