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Role Overview:

We’re looking for a Principal Gameplay Animator to join our Firesprite studio to bring the world of a dark, story-driven next generation ‘Narrative Adventure’ to life. Working closely with other teams, you’ll develop and deliver playable animations to the highest quality possible.

We’re striving for a specificity of character and emotion that delivers distinct performance, heightens player immersion, and sets a new bar for gameplay character animation. As a part of the animation team, you will be instrumental in bringing that ambition to life.

With genre-defining goals, this title has AAA ambitions and a strong focus on character. We are taking atmosphere, storytelling, player-agency and narrative into ground-breaking territory, on next-gen technology.

We would consider hybrid and remote working (UK).

What you’ll be doing:

In this Principal position, you will build high quality gameplay animation assets and systems. You’ll find creative solutions, artistic, technical or both, to deliver that specificity on a range of characters and other animated elements.

• Craft believable human / non-human keyframe and motion capture animation.
• Take charge of animation system and/or design features - oversee systems and ensuring they get delivered to the highest quality.
• Revising and refining digital content creation and in-engine tools - establish tools and develop pipelines.
• Work with related teams on block-out to final animations and systems, that work seamlessly with non-gameplay animation if required.
• Contribute to the artistic & technical gameplay animation goals for the project.
• Collaborate with all teams on animation workflows & pipeline development.

What we’re looking for:

• Experience as a Principal Animator on at least one PC or console title.
• Experience with Motion Matching with a strong understanding of its utilization and limitations.
• State Machines development by creating and maintaining them.
• Proven knowledge of animation principles and a focus on dynamic poses, strong in keyframe animation and mocap methods.
• A deep understanding of human behaviour and a strong sense of expressing character through movement.
• Experienced in developing animation for game engines and movement systems; Working with motion capture data and relevant pipelines; working with Unreal Engine or similar.
• Excellent knowledge of Maya/Motion Builder.
• Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.

Desirable skills:

• Experience of animating creatures or animals.
• Python script.
• Facial animation experience.
• Rigging experience.
• Previs and prototyping experience.
• Experience and participation in motion capture for gameplay animation - planning, directing and reviewing data.
• Knowledge UE4 or similar engines.

Benefits:

• Discretionary bonus opportunity
• Hybrid Working (within Flexmodes)
• Private Medical Insurance
• Dental Scheme
• 25 days holiday per year
• Access to cycle garage and showers

Equal Opportunity Statement:

We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.

PlayStation is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.