Lead Animator

2K; Winston-Salem (NC); Remote; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a volunteer-based global game development team as a Lead Animator for 'The Lays of Althas: Sundered Order'. You will animate 3D characters and lead a new animation team, contributing to a unique fantasy RPG using Unreal Engine 4. We're looking for passionate individuals who thrive in a collaborative remote environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of strong anatomy knowledge and 3D character animation.
• Communication skills in English are essential.
• Experience with game animation and quick prototyping is required.

Responsibilities

• Animate characters for a fantasy indie RPG.
• Collaboration and communication with the animation team.
• Attend weekly meetings and adhere to policies.

Skills

Strong understanding of human anatomy and movement

Expertise in animating 3D characters

Experience animating quadrupeds and aerial creatures

Knowledge of traditional animation principles

Experience with non-linear animation systems

Troubleshooting skills

Good communication and collaboration skills in English

Passion for animation

Tools

Autodesk Maya

Unreal Engine 4

Job description

Job Description

In this volunteer position, you will work closely with 3D Character Artists and Riggers to animate human and realistic (sometimes fantastical) creatures for The Lays of Althas: Sundered Order (LoA:SO). Characters are created in Reallusion's Character Creator 3 (CC3), and creatures are often created using Unreal Engine Marketplace Third Party Assets, which are then modified.

You will also have the opportunity to help build and lead a new Animation Team (optional experience).

Rigging and skinning characters are optional but recommended skills. Experience with Reallusion iClone 7 to animate CC3 characters is also recommended but not required.

Effective communication is essential for a smooth workflow. You must communicate clearly with team members and feel comfortable asking for help when needed. Our team communicates in English, so fluency is required.

Other responsibilities include attending weekly meetings and adhering to team policies.

NOTE: This is not an internship. We are seeking a long-term Volunteer Lead Animator, not short-term interns.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Strong understanding of human anatomy and movement
• Expertise in animating 3D characters
• Experience animating quadrupeds and aerial creatures
• Knowledge of traditional animation principles for realistic movement
• Experience with non-linear animation (NLA) systems and/or game animation
• Ability to prototype and deliver animations quickly
• Self-motivated with troubleshooting skills
• Good communication and collaboration skills in English
• Passion for animation and commitment to AAA-quality game development

Optional Skills:

• Managing and organizing other animators
• Creating 3D character skeletons and rigs
• Skinning (weighting) human characters and clothing/armor
• Creating skeletons and rigs for quadrupeds and aerial creatures
• Experience with Reallusion CC3 and iClone 7

Additional Information

Software Requirements:

• Autodesk Maya for animation
• Unreal Engine 4 (https://www.unrealengine.com/register)

Optional Software:

• MotionBuilder (useful but not essential)
• Reallusion iClone 7 (https://www.reallusion.com/iclone/), which can be provided if needed

Company Description

Epoch Games is a volunteer-based, fully remote, global game development team. We have no central headquarters and are currently unincorporated. Our roots are in modding, notably the Middle Earth Roleplaying Project for Skyrim: MERP Mod.

We are developing The Lays of Althas: Sundered Order, an indie open-world RPG set in a unique fantasy universe, using Unreal Engine 4: UE4. More info can be found on our IndieDb page.

Note: Our team works entirely remotely; no relocation is required.