Gameplay Animation Director - BGE2 - M/F/NB

Ubisoft Entertainment Inc.; Montpellier; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Ubisoft Entertainment Inc. in Montpellier is seeking a Gameplay Animation Director to define the project’s animation vision and oversee its execution. You will collaborate with the Creative Director and project leads to shape style, readability, and player feel across gameplay animations.

You will guide animators, ensure high quality and consistency, and translate creative intent into playable, responsive sequences within a proprietary engine. A strong portfolio and AAA-experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in 3D animation in the video game industry.
• Experience leading gameplay animation or readiness to step into this role.
• Experience on at least one AAA project.
• Strong vision for realistic or stylized animation.
• Minimum C1 level in English.

Responsibilities

• Develop the gameplay animation vision.
• Define animation intentions: style, rhythm, readability, impact, fluidity.
• Propose an animation artistic direction consistent with the targeted gameplay experience.
• Produce key documents: animation vision, briefs, guidelines, workflows, references.
• Interpret the Artistic Director’s vision and translate it into concrete animation proposals.
• Design visual and mechanical intentions independently, without intermediaries.
• Drive the development of innovative gameplay animation solutions.
• Supervise the creation and integration of in-game animations in collaboration with the supervisor.
• Ensure the quality and consistency of animations: character, dynamism, gameplay readability.
• Validate deliverables: prototypes, final animations, polish.
• Collaborate with Game Designers and the Gameplay team to guarantee excellent feel and strong character responsiveness.

Skills

3D animation

MotionBuilder

Game engines

Gameplay constraints

Leadership

Tools

MotionBuilder

Job description

Gameplay Animation Director - BGE2 - M/F/NB

Ubisoft is a global leader in gaming with teams across the world creating original and memorable gaming experiences, from Assassin’s Creed, Rainbow Six to Just Dance and more. We believe diverse perspectives help both players and teams thrive. If you’re passionate about innovation and pushing entertainment boundaries, join our journey and help us create the unknown!

JOB DESCRIPTION

Beyond Good & Evil 2 is an action-adventure open world game set in a captivating space opera universe and the direct prequel to the 2003 cult classic. Based on a breakthrough technology driven by the proprietary Voyager engine, Beyond Good & Evil 2 aims to offer a seamless experience of exploration and space piracy across a solar system full of exotic locations, colorful characters and mysteries to uncover, solo or with friends. So, if you are ready for an adventure like no other, come join forces with us to build System 3!

We are looking for our future Gameplay Animation Director who will define and embody the project’s gameplay animation vision.

What you will do You will work in collaboration with Creative Director Fawzi Mesmar and the other project directors. You will contribute to both vision and production.

Responsibilities

Vision & Artistic Direction You set the course.

• Develop the gameplay animation vision
• Define animation intentions: style, rhythm, readability, impact, fluidity.
• Propose an animation artistic direction consistent with the targeted gameplay experience
• Produce key documents: animation vision, briefs, guidelines, workflows, references.
• Interpret the Artistic Director’s vision and translate it into concrete animation proposals.
• Design visual and mechanical intentions independently, without intermediaries.
• Drive the development of innovative gameplay animation solutions.

You are the guarantor of consistency between animation and player experience.

• Supervise the creation and integration of in-game animations in collaboration with the supervisor
• Ensure the quality and consistency of animations: character, dynamism, gameplay readability.
• Validate deliverables: prototypes, final animations, polish.
• Collaborate with Game Designers and the Gameplay team to guarantee excellent feel and strong character responsiveness.

Every animation must serve the game.

Leadership & Collaboration You build a culture.

• Inspire, guide, and support animators, in collaboration with the lead and the supervisor
• Develop a strong animation culture: support, constructive feedback, mentoring.
• Collaborate with other departments: Art, Tech Anim, Design, Narrative, Audio.
• Actively participate in gameplay and creative decisions.

You create a demanding and ambitious environment.

Documentation & Communication

• Produce clear, structured, and visual documents enabling the team to effectively execute the vision.
• Ensure smooth, structured, respectful communication adapted to all stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS

What we are looking for

You have significant experience in 3D animation in the video game industry. You have already led gameplay animation... or you are ready to step into this role.

Ideally:

• Experience on at least one AAA project
• Strong vision for realistic or stylized animation
• Minimum C1 level in English to collaborate with English-speaking colleagues.

Key skills for this role

Technical expertise

• Strong animation background (portfolio required).
• Proficiency in MotionBuilder (keyframe + mocap).
• Experience with game engines and animation systems.
• Understanding of gameplay and technical constraints.

Why is this important? Because you will need to make artistic decisions that work within a proprietary engine.

Creative sense

• Strong sense of rhythm and movement.
• Ability to translate a creative intention into playable animation.
• Mastery of readability and impact.
• Ability to propose both visual AND mechanical solutions.

What will make you successful

• You have a clear vision and know how to defend it.
• You are demanding and inspiring.
• You know how to make decisions.
• You know how to listen.

And above all: you want to leave your mark on a project.

Your onboarding

• Immersion in the project vision
• Meeting with leads and key teams
• Access to existing documentation

Send us your portfolio. Show us what makes you unique.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information: Contract type: Permanent Location: Montpellier Start date: You can join the team as soon as possible

As this role is central to creative decisions and daily interactions with the teams, on-site presence is essential.