Cinematics Designer - StarCraft | Irvine, CA

BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT, INC.; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays/vacation

Mental health & wellbeing programs

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Blizzard Entertainment in Irvine, CA is seeking a Cinematic Designer to craft cinematic moments for the StarCraft project. You will collaborate with art, narrative, design, VFX, and lighting to deliver world-class cutscenes that support gameplay and storytelling in a hybrid workweek.

The role requires 5+ years in AAA game cinematics, a strong portfolio, and a solid understanding of camera work and 3D workflows.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in AAA game cinematics.
• Portfolio demonstrating cinematic work in games.
• Strong understanding of cinematography principles and camera work.

Responsibilities

• Directly contribute to cinematic moments from storyboard to completion.
• Collaborate with art, narrative, design, engineering, VFX, and lighting to deliver cinematics.
• Guide practices from prototyping to final execution.
• Stay current on industry trends and engine workflows.
• Identify risks and propose solutions in cinematic creation.

Skills

Cinematics

AAA game cinematics

Storytelling

Camera work

Tools

Game engine

Job description

Team Name: StarCraft Job Title: Cinematics Designer - StarCraft | Irvine, CA Requisition ID: R028135

Blizzard Entertainment is assembling a team to build the next chapter of StarCraft, returning to a universe forged in interstellar war. This mission offers something new: crafting an original story-driven, open-world shooter while honoring the legacy of one of Blizzard's most beloved games. We are here to reignite this universe alongside you. We are here to make StarCraft, and it's about damn time. We are looking for a Cinematic Designer to help us craft this new game for Blizzard. As a key member of the development team, you will be responsible for delivering high-quality cinematic assets through artistic and technical expertise. You understand how to effectively build, organize, and integrate a variety of cinematics to support the gameplay experience and narrative intentions. You are comfortable operating in a dynamic environment, navigating fluid deadlines and changing priorities with purpose. This role offers a hybrid work week, with a mix of work-from-home and on-site days, based out of our Irvine studio.

Responsibilities

Priorities can often change in a fast-paced environment like ours, so this role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:

• Directly contribute to the practical work of taking cinematic moments from storyboard to completion.
• Work closely with art and narrative direction team members and collaborate with design, engineering, surfacing, VFX, and lighting departments to help deliver game cinematics to a world-class standard.
• Use your experience in cinematic creation to guide our working practices from iterative prototyping to final best-in-class execution.
• Remain current on industry trends including advancement in commercial game engines and workflow efficiencies.
• Proactively identify risks and propose solutions within the area of cinematic creation.

Experience: 5+ years of experience in AAA game cinematics. Confirmed experience, having shipped at least one major title in a relevant role.

Knowledge & Skills

• Experience working with a AAA game engine with an understanding of implementation and integration of game cinematics.
• Comprehensive understanding of camera work, framing, staging, and editing including proficiency in industry-standard 3D workflows.
• A portfolio with examples and detailed breakdowns showcasing your practical work.
• Strong understanding of cinematography principles.

Key Attributes

• A team-oriented approach to your work, understanding the importance of collaboration, and partnering with all departments.
• The ability to inspire others with an enthusiastic approach to game development and improving core skills.
• Self-motivated ability to solve problems proactively.

Extra Points

• Experience working through early development R&D phases of a project is a plus.
• Solid understanding of video game creation outside of cinematic art (e.g. lighting, VFX, characters, animation, audio).
• An interest in photography and cinema.
• Knowledge and experience in practical filmmaking.
• Expertise in 3D composition, form, balance, and color theory.
• Passion for playing a wide variety of video games.

Required Application Materials

• Resume
• Portfolio demonstrating relevant cinematics work.

About Blizzard Entertainment

Your Platform Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences.

Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via Battle.net®, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android. Our World Activision Blizzard, Inc., is one of the world's largest and most successful interactive entertainment companies and is at the intersection of media, technology and entertainment. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty®, World of Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, Candy Crush™ and Bubble Witch™. Our combined entertainment network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users in 196 countries, making us the largest gaming network on the planet! Our ability to build immersive and innovative worlds is only enhanced by diverse teams working in an inclusive environment. We aspire to have a culture where everyone can thrive in order to connect and engage the world through epic entertainment.

The videogame industry and therefore our business is fast-paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners.

Rewards

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well‑being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!

• Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance
• 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching
• Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave
• Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others
• If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $30.47 - $56.35 Hourly. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role’s range details for your local geography during the hiring process. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to [e-mail]. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.