Senior VFX Artist Riyo Games, Remote

Senior VFX Artist

Riyo Games is hiring an experienced Senior VFX Artist to craft high‑quality real‑time visual effects for its upcoming retro‑inspired JRPG Threads of Time
. The role focuses on designing and implementing stylized gameplay, environment, and cinematic effects that enhance player immersion while maintaining technical performance targets across the production pipeline. Threads of Time is inspired by genre classics such as Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy.

The selected candidate will collaborate closely with art leadership and cross‑disciplinary teams to ensure all effects align with the project’s visual identity and gameplay clarity standards. This position is ideal for artists who enjoy working on expressive stylized effects while balancing artistic quality with runtime efficiency.

This opportunity is offered as a six‑month full‑time remote contract role, available to candidates located within specific Canadian provinces.

As a Senior VFX Artist, you will be responsible for designing, implementing, optimizing, and maintaining stylized real‑time visual effects across gameplay systems, environments, and cinematic sequences. You will work collaboratively with artists, designers, and engineers to ensure effects remain visually expressive while meeting performance constraints required for production stability.

Primarily, your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Real‑time gameplay effects creation (ability effects, enemy interaction visuals, combat impact effects)
• Environment & cinematic effects development (weather elements, magical interactions, cinematic transitions)
• Asset creation and technical implementation in Unreal Engine (shader creation, material setup, flip‑book animation preparation)
• Maintaining asset organization consistency, improving workflow efficiency, ensuring performance optimization, and balancing artistic quality with runtime constraints
• Pre‑visualization & artistic direction support (early‑stage visual experimentation, pipeline feasibility testing, visual direction support collaboration with art leadership)
• Cross‑team coordination with character artists, technical artists, animation teams, and engineering teams to maintain consistent visual language

Applicants should demonstrate strong experience creating stylized real‑time visual effects within professional game production environments. Required qualifications include:

• 3–5+ years experience as a VFX artist in the video game industry
• Advanced experience working with Unreal Engine and Niagara Systems
• Understanding of 2D animation timing principles
• Experience creating source textures, materials, and shaders
• Strong visual sense of color, motion, composition, and readability
• Experience building particle systems and flip‑books
• Ability to optimize effects for runtime performance
• Strong communication and collaboration skills

Beneficial but not required:

• Residency within Ontario or Quebec
• Strong familiarity with JRPG visual presentation styles
• Previous work on stylized narrative‑driven projects

Annual salary $70,000 – $100,000 CAD, paid monthly. The six‑month full‑time contract includes:

• Paid vacation: 4 weeks annually
• December holiday break: 1 additional scheduled week
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, employee assistance program, and family assistance support

Riyo Games encourages applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences, and welcomes those whose skills align with the spirit of the role. Accessibility accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process upon request. Geographic filtering tools are used only to confirm eligibility requirements, and AI‑based applicant screening tools are not used during candidate evaluation.

Riyo Games is an independent studio dedicated to creating retro‑inspired JRPG experiences that combine nostalgic storytelling with modern production techniques. The studio values creativity, collaboration, and inclusive production environments that encourage experimentation and professional growth across all disciplines. Artists joining the team will work alongside industry veterans who contributed to globally recognized JRPG franchises.