Principal Environment Modeling Artist - Temp; SFD​/Cinematics

Team Name: Cinematics

Principal Environment Modeling Artist – Temp (SFD / Cinematics)

R026574

Blizzard Entertainment’s award-winning Cinematics Department is looking for a well-rounded 3D Principal Environment Modeling Artist to join our team. We’re looking for an artist who is knowledgeable of Blizzard’s varying styles and be capable of pivoting between them artistically. The ideal candidate enjoys working within a small team environment and is eager to collaborate with other passionate artists. While we’re looking for artists who are knowledgeable of Blizzard’s IPs, we’re equally excited for you to bring your own new unique style, interests, and workflows.

This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work-from-home. The home studio for this role is Irvine, CA. However, we understand each person’s circumstances may be unique and will work with you to explore other possible options, including remote work arrangements.

This is roughly a 12-month temporary position.

Responsibilities

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

• Able to create epic environmental assets, both stylized and hyper-realistic, ranging from hard-surface vehicles and props to organic assets, and entire indoor or outdoor terrains or sets
• Work seamlessly with up and downstream departments to deliver AAA quality assets on time and within our various pipeline requirements
• Capable to interpret artistic direction with ease, with or without concept art
• Maintain the production schedule and/or communicate any relevant deadline concerns

Minimum Requirements

Experience

• 13+ years of feature film/VFX/Game Cinematic experience as an environment modeler
• Experience using current animation programs, such as Maya, Zbrush/Mudbox

Knowledge & Skills

• Efficient generating UVs and topology as well as LOD decimation and map baking
• Capable of kit-bashing and creating compositionally appealing set dressing arrangements
• Understand current animation/VFX pipelines with a focus on Modeling, Previs, Layout, Surfacing and FX
• Effective design and compositional skills with attention to scale, lighting and set layout
• Self-motivated, strong communication skills and a team-player

Key Attributes

• Possess a positive attitude while juggling multiple tasks and requests in a fast-paced collaborative environment
• Comfortable receiving artistic critiques and feedback on a professional level

Extra Points

• Experience using Unreal Engine, Speed Tree, Quixel Megascans, Marvelous Designer, Houdini, Rizom
  
  UV, Gaea/World Machine, Substance Painter, Blender, 3
  
  DsMax, Photoshop, Renderman, Redshift
• Skilled with texturing/shading game assets in a P  real-time pipeline
• Talent for concept modeling, texturing, and lighting entire scenes for Look Dev
• Solid understanding of architecture, camera lensing, composition, and scale
• Strong foundation in the traditional arts
• Experience rendering with Renderman/Redshift or equivalent
• Familiarity with the Blizzard IP’s and associated lore

Your Platform

Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and Star Craft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (), 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 ®, Xbox, Play Station, 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…