Gameplay Animator

2K Games; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

2K Games, located in Vancouver, BC, is searching for an experienced Gameplay Animator. This role focuses on replicating authentic sports behaviors to enhance gameplay for upcoming sports franchises.

Responsibilities include collaborating with design and engineering teams to define and implement animation features, and championing animation quality throughout development. Ideal candidates will have a passion for sports and experience with interactive animations.

Qualifications

• High quality bar and passion for replicating authentic sports behaviors.
• Experience working with second-to-second interactive animation features.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with various teams.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Design Leads to create and define animation based features.
• Be responsible for mocap shot lists and references to strengthen features.
• Champion animation quality and authenticity in feature development.

Skills

Passion and understanding of sports games

Experience with interactive animation features

Player experience focused

Open-minded, proactive, collaborative

Tools

Unreal Engine

Job description

Who We Are

2K Games is headquartered in Novato, California and is a wholly owned label of Take‑Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO). Founded in 2005, 2K Games is a global video game company, publishing titles developed by some of the most influential game development studios in the world. Our studios responsible for developing 2K’s portfolio of world‑class games across multiple platforms, include Visual Concepts, Firaxis, Hangar 13, CatDaddy, Cloud Chamber, 31st Union, and HB Studios. Our portfolio of titles is expanding due to our global strategic plan, building and acquiring exciting studios whose content continues to inspire all of us! 2K publishes titles in today’s most popular gaming genres, including sports, shooters, action, role‑playing, strategy, casual, and family entertainment.

Located in Vancouver, BC, 2K Sports Lab is a small collective being formed within 2K Games that is driving the research and development of future sports interactive entertainment programs. Within this group, speculative work will be done on future sports games with an eye towards taking the magic of 2K’s publishing and development expertise and applying them to future opportunities.

Our team of engineers, marketers, artists, writers, data scientists, producers, thinkers and doers, are the professional publishing stewards of our growing library of critically‑acclaimed franchises such as NBA 2K, 2K PGA, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, Lego Drive, BioShock, Borderlands, The Quarry, Mafia, Sid Meier’s Civilization, Marvel’s Midnight Suns, WWE 2K, and XCOM.

At 2K, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We encourage ALL applicants to explore our global positions, even if they don’t meet every requirement for the role. If you’re interested in the job and think you have what it takes to work at 2K, we encourage you to apply.

What We Need

Our studio is looking for an experienced Gameplay Animator who has a high quality bar and a passion for replicating authentic sports behaviors. In this role, you will work closely with AI and Animation Engineers, Designers and Producers to implement authentic sports behaviors to build highly polished world‑class gameplay for what will be the next massive sports franchise in our industry!

What You’ll Do

• Collaborate with Design Leads to create the design for animation based features
• Collaborate with Design Leads to define the animation needs for animation based features
• Be responsible for mocap shot lists and mocap reference in order to deliver the strongest feature possible
• Collaborate with Engineers and Designers to influence the technical implementation of features in order to build the strongest feature possible
• Collaborate with the Animation Director to understand, and deliver on, the quality bar for the animations that you create
• Collaborate with the Design Lead and Engineering team to implement your features in engine
• Champion animation quality and authenticity within your features, bringing the animation perspective to all decision making

What Will Make You A Great Fit

• A passion, and understanding of, sports games
• Experience working with on second‑to‑second interactive animation features
• Player experience focussed
• Open minded, proactive and collaborative

Beneficial Qualifications

• Experience with Unreal Engine.
• Passionate about playing and/or watching sports.
• Passion for video games (not just ours)

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform their essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.