Gameplay Animator

At Rockstar Games, we create world-class entertainment experiences. 

Become part of a team working on some of the most rewarding, large-scale creative projects to be found in any entertainment medium - all within an inclusive, highly-motivated environment where you can learn and collaborate with some of the most talented people in the industry. 

At Rockstar North we specialise in Locomotion for humans and animals, Combat, Traversal, Vehicles, and Conversation systems amongst others. If you are passionate about animation and interested in building ground-breaking animation systems within a creative and unconstrained environment, please get in touch. Candidates with technical, problem-solving skills are especially encouraged to apply.

This is a full-time, permanent and in-office position based in Rockstar’s state-of-the-art game development studio in Edinburgh, Scotland. 

WHAT WE DO

• We create open-world gameplay mechanics that are used to make immersive experiences.
• We work as a global animation team to collaborate on player experiences.
• We use our onsite motion capture facilities to prototype new systems, directing talent and fine-tuning the results with code and design.
• We participate in multi-discipline gameplay reviews, ensuring animation data is responsive and implemented with a strong consideration of technical and gameplay constraints.
• We encourage ownership and creativity where everyone’s voice is heard.
• Successful applicants would be working in a dedicated feature area such as locomotion, traversal, combat, weapons, creatures or vehicles. Each of our teams work with dedicated pipelines and tools to create engaging open world mechanics.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work closely with animators and programmers to create, implement, and debug compelling gameplay mechanics.
• Collaborate with the Animation, Code and Design teams, to achieve balance between animation fidelity and gameplay responsiveness.
• Work closely with colleagues under the guidance of a Lead Animator.
• Support the planning of motion capture shoots and direct actors.
• Be self-motivated and willing to get involved in wider areas.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Art/Animation or equivalent experience.
• Demo reel demonstrating strong animation principles, and preferably their implementation in a real time engine.
• Minimum 2+ years of experience animating video games.

SKILLS

• Proficiency in a major animation package (e.g. Maya, MotionBuilder, etc.).
• Positive, solution-orientated individual, with a deep-rooted interest in video games, and game development.
• Strong skills in animating the human figure to create realistic character animations.
• Some understanding of development issues in getting animations into a game.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work closely with Artists, Designers and Programmers.

PLUSES

Please note that these are desirable skills and are not required to apply for the position.

• Practical knowledge of programming languages (Python, C# / C++, etc.).
• Practical experience using parametric blend spaces, motion trees or state machines.
• Knowledge of commercial game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine.
• Proficiency with MotionBuilder.
• Experience of working with motion capture data.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply with a CV and cover letter demonstrating how you meet the skills above. If we would like to move forward with your application, a Rockstar recruiter will reach out to you to explain next steps and guide you through the process.

Rockstar is committed to creating a work environment that promotes equal opportunity, dignity and respect. In line with this commitment, Rockstar will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities during the recruitment process in order for such applicants to be considered for the position for which they are applying, as well as to qualified employees to enable them to perform the essential functions of their roles. If you need more information about Rockstar’s reasonable accommodation policies or process, or need to request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department. 

If you’ve got the right skills for the job, we want to hear from you. We encourage applications from all suitable candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, belief, race, or any other protected category.

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