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SalaryOverview
Rare is an Xbox Game Studio creating the kind of games the world doesn’t have. Our values – explorers, evolving, together – are fundamental to the games we make and how we make them. Rare offers rewarding and fulfilling careers for exceptional people, supporting you to learn and grow. Our studio is a welcoming campus in the heart of the Midlands, where the majority of our team work in a flexible hybrid work pattern.
Responsibilities
Role Purpose
As a Principal Character Artist, you will be an expert in your field with knowledge of both the artistic and technical aspects of the job, and the experience and passion to back it up. Reporting to the Art Manager, you will contribute on all matters relating to Character Art, helping to drive the quality and efficiency of the team and projects forward.
Key Accountabilities
- Create outstanding character artwork that helps set a high benchmark for the team.
- Help others to consistently reach that bar by mentoring and guiding less experienced colleagues.
- Work closely with the wider team to establish suitable pipelines and workflows, including prototyping and documentation.
- Help to specify, test and drive to quality tools created by the Technical Art and Engineering teams.
- Help manage the flow of work to and from our outsourcing partners.
- Actively seek new trends and technologies in the industry, and determine how they could be applied to improve the output of the Character Art team in future.
Qualifications
Required Skills and Experience
- A minimum of three years’ experience in game development.
- Expert knowledge of 3D modelling packages such as Autodesk Maya, 3D sculpting programs such as ZBrush and texturing apps such as Photoshop and Substance Painter/Designer.
- Well-versed in cutting-edge techniques and technology related to character art, and a strong desire to stay ahead of the game.
- Able to proactively self-organise and prioritise work for yourself and others.
- Experienced at mentoring and providing feedback to groups of junior artists, contractors and outsourcers.
- Self-motivation, excellent communication skills and a great team-player attitude.
- A strong portfolio demonstrating art styles and skills relevant to our projects.
Desirable Experience
- Has shipped several AAA console/PC titles as a Character Artist.
- A love of stylised artwork/games – particularly Rare’s!
- Able to take and interpret direction and criticism.
- Proactive, organised, able to work as part of a team and independently.
- Able to effectively collaborate with game designers and programmers.
- A creative and passionate approach to solving problems.
- Comfortable at all stages of game development, from concept through pre-production to production.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.
