Game Animator (Character & Combat Animation)

apricot; United States; Remote; USD 22,000 - 67,000; Part time

Job summary

Apricot is seeking a Game Animator for a fully remote, project-based engagement to deliver combat and supporting animations for a range of humanoid characters and creatures. You’ll work directly with the founder to interpret references and shape animation timing for a cinematic game demo.

Deliverables include Unreal Engine 5-ready assets; you may use Blender or Maya and progress through characters one by one. This role offers potential for longer collaboration if funding is secured.

Qualifications

• Strong character animation portfolio with smooth, combat-focused work.
• Ability to match Soulslike quality: Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Elden Ring.

Responsibilities

• Create high-quality combat and supporting animations for humanoid characters and creatures.
• Produce smooth, realistic animations matching reference quality and founder’s style.
• Independently decide combat timing, windups, active frames, recoveries and dodge windows.
• Work with existing rigs, identify rigging issues and cleanups.
• Deliver Unreal Engine 5-ready animations using preferred 3D software.
• Collaborate with the founder through review and feedback cycles.

Skills

Character animation

Combat animation

Independent work

Unreal Engine 5

Humanoid animation

Creature animation

Portfolio required

Reference matching

Timing decisions

Motion reference analysis

Tools

Unreal Engine 5

Blender

Maya

Job description

Game Animator - Character & Combat Animation

Project Scope:Project-Based Game Animation

Location:Fully Remote - Open to candidates across all locations.

Role Type:Project-Based Contractor, with potential for longer-term collaboration if the project secures funding.

Reports to: You will work directly with the founder to produce combat and supporting animations for a cast of humanoid characters and creatures, bringing existing 3D characters to life for a cinematic game demo.

Start Date: ASAP.

Engagement: Project-based, with compensation agreed per character or for the overall project.

Portfolio:Applications without attached portfolio will not be considered

The opportunity

Our client is developing a medieval Soulslike action RPG inspired by games such as Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Demon's Souls, and Elden Ring. The concept art, 3D models, and textures are complete, and most characters are already skinned and rigged. The next major milestone is a cinematic demo to help secure funding, and high-quality character animation is the key remaining step. We are looking for a skilled Game Animator to produce smooth, realistic, combat-focused animations for approximately 8–10 characters, including both humanoids and creatures.

You will work directly with the founder, using visual references to match the desired quality and style while independently making decisions about combat timing and feel. All animations must be delivered in Unreal Engine 5-ready format. You can use your preferred animation software, such as Blender or Maya, and work through the character lineup one character at a time. This is an opportunity to take ownership of a significant part of the project's visual development, with the possibility of continued collaboration as the game progresses and secures funding.

About the Organization

Our Client is developing a medieval action RPG inspired by the Soulslike genre, with a focus on distinctive characters, immersive environments, and high-quality combat animation. The project is currently working toward a cinematic demo to support its next stage of development and fundraising.

What you will do

• Create high-quality combat and supporting animations for humanoid characters and creatures, working through the cast one character at a time.
• Produce smooth, realistic animations that match the reference quality and style provided by the founder.
• Independently determine combat timing and feel, including attack windups, active frames, recovery periods, and dodge windows.
• Work with existing character models, skeletons, and rigs, identifying any rigging issues or cleanup needed before animation.
• Deliver polished animation assets in Unreal Engine 5-ready format, using your preferred 3D animation software.
• Collaborate directly with the founder through review and feedback cycles, refining animations based on comments from the founder and project funder.
• Coordinate with environment artists when needed to animate characters interacting with specific environmental assets or elements.
• Support the final character presentation process, including character placement within environments as part of the cinematic demo production.

Requirements

• A strong character animation portfolio demonstrating smooth, realistic, high-quality combat animation in motion.
• The ability to match the combat quality and style of Soulslike games such as Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Demon's Souls, and Elden Ring.
• A strong understanding of combat timing and feel, including attack windups, active frames, recovery periods, and dodge windows, with the ability to make these decisions independently.
• Experience animating both humanoid characters and creatures.
• The ability to deliver polished animations in Unreal Engine 5-ready format.
• The ability to work independently, interpret visual references, and collaborate directly with the founder throughout production and feedback cycles.
• Experience using a suitable 3D animation tool, such as Blender or Maya. The specific tool is flexible.

Nice to have

• Previous credits on a shipped or in-development Soulslike game or action RPG.

Additional information

• Both keyframe animation and motion-capture-based workflows are welcome, provided the final animations meet the required quality standard.
• Motion-capture equipment or studio access is not required. If needed for specific movements, the client can arrange access to a UK studio and actors.
• Most of the work is expected to involve animation from scratch or keyframe cleanup.
• A few characters may still require rigging adjustments or cleanup before animation.

How the Engagement works

• Project-Based Contractor, initially paid per character or for the overall project, with quotes requested for both where possible.
• The scope will be agreed upon based on the number of characters, animation requirements, estimated workload, and portfolio quality.
• The project is expected to start ASAP, with the potential for longer-term collaboration if the game secures funding.

About Apricot

Apricot is a nonprofit sourcing firm connecting displaced and underserved professionals from Palestine and the wider MENA region with global employment opportunities. We combine a clear social-impact mission with fast, high-quality recruitment delivery for international clients.