VFX Artist (m/f/d)

Sandbox Interactive; Berlin; On-site; EUR 45,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

BVG corporate ticket

Hybrid work model

Urban Sport Club

Job summary

Sandbox Interactive in Berlin is seeking a skilled VFX Artist (PvE) to craft high-quality real-time visual effects for Albion Online across PC and mobile. You will design and implement spells, creature abilities, boss attacks, and world events to enhance readability and gameplay impact.

Collaborate with Design, Art, and Engineering teams to optimize effects for performance, ensure visual cohesion, and stay current with trends.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience as a VFX Artist in game development, preferably MMO or action titles.
• Proficiency in Unity and familiarity with real-time particle systems, shaders, and materials.
• Skilled with art tools such as Photoshop, After Effects, Houdini, or EmberGen.
• Strong understanding of timing, color, and motion to create clear, dynamic visual feedback.
• Experience optimizing VFX for real-time performance on multiple platforms.
• Excellent communication skills (presentation, verbal and written) in English.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement real-time VFX for PvE elements such as spells, creature abilities, boss attacks, and world events.
• Design environmental and ambient effects to enhance atmosphere and immersion.
• Iterate on effects to improve impact, mood, and gameplay clarity.
• Work with Design, Art, and Engineering teams to ensure VFX support gameplay and visual consistency.
• Optimize effects for performance across PC and mobile platforms.
• Maintain efficient VFX workflows and pipelines.
• Stay current with tools, trends, and best practices in real-time VFX.

Skills

Unity

Real-time particle systems

Shaders

Materials

English communication

Tools

Photoshop

After Effects

Houdini

EmberGen

Job description

Who we are

Sandbox Interactive is the ambitious game development studio behind the award-winning game Albion Online. The game is the first true cross-platform MMO, and is playable on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android with more than 350.000 daily players and over 2 million monthly visitors on our website. We started as a small independent group of experienced gaming professionals in 2012, and now employ an international team of more than 100 people. Since 2020, Sandbox Interactive has been part of the Stillfront Group. Our team is passionate about making Albion Online the best game it can be, and we’re constantly on the lookout for talented individuals to join our growing team in the heart of Berlin.

Your Game

As a VFX Artist (PvE), you’ll be responsible for creating high-quality, real-time visual effects that bring Albion Online’s world and combat encounters to life. You’ll design and implement effects that enhance gameplay clarity, emphasize combat impact, and enrich the atmosphere of the game’s diverse PvE environments — from dungeon encounters and boss battles to ambient world events.

This role blends artistic creativity with strong technical understanding. You’ll work closely with designers, artists, and engineers to deliver optimized, visually cohesive effects that support readability and performance across platforms.

Key responsibilities:

• Create and implement real-time VFX for PvE elements such as spells, creature abilities, boss attacks, and world events
• Design environmental and ambient effects to enhance atmosphere and immersion
• Iterate on effects to improve impact, mood, and gameplay clarity
• Work with Design, Art, and Engineering teams to ensure VFX support gameplay and visual consistency
• Optimize effects for performance across PC and mobile platforms
• Maintain efficient VFX workflows and pipelines
• Stay current with tools, trends, and best practices in real-time VFX

Your Talent

Minimum Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience as a VFX Artist in game development, preferably on MMO or action titles
• Proficiency in Unity and familiarity with real-time particle systems, shaders, and materials
• Skilled with art tools such as Photoshop, After Effects, Houdini, or EmberGen
• Strong understanding of timing, color, and motion to create clear, dynamic visual feedback
• Experience optimizing VFX for real-time performance on multiple platforms
• Excellent communication skills (presentation, verbal and written) in English

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience designing VFX for PvE combat systems, such as spells, creature attacks, or boss mechanics
• Familiarity with Albion Online or similar sandbox MMOs
• Knowledge of C# scripting or shader development
• Passion for crafting stylized, gameplay-focused visual effects that enhance player immersion

Our Offer

• BVG corporate ticket:

  • Receive a free company ticket for Germany's public transportation system

• Personal Development:

  • Have a high degree of autonomy and ownership from the start
  • Develop your skills through company-sponsored training and language courses
  • Enjoy company-sponsored tickets for Gamescom Dev & other game conferences

• Hybrid Work model:

  • Combine the best of both worlds, and enjoy the freedom to switch between working in the office and working remotely

• Health & Wellbeing:

  • Discounted membership to Urban Sport Club for fitness and wellness
  • Access to nilo health for confidential mental health support, coaching, and wellbeing resources
  • Extra vacation days awarded based on years of service, up to a maximum of 30 days annually

• Modern & Well-Equipped Office:

  • Work in the heart of Prenzlauer Berg, a central, vibrant neighborhood in Berlin with many dining and entertainment options
  • Enjoy height-adjustable tables, ergonomic chair options, dimmable lighting, and acoustic panels

• Start-up perks:

  • Benefit from free drinks and snacks in the office
  • Participate in team events, breakfast weeks, summer and winter parties

• Sustainable business:

  • Be part of a successful, profitable company on a continued growth path

• Gaming-driven culture:

  • Work alongside a supportive team of gaming enthusiasts who are deeply committed to their craft

• Global reach:

  • Join a team of industry experts shaping a game enjoyed by hundreds of thousands worldwide