Animation Director - Unannounced Game | Irvine, CA

Job Title: Animation Director - Unannounced Game | Irvine, CA Job Description: At Blizzard, we craft genre-defining games and legendary worlds for all to share. Through unparalleled creativity and storytelling, we create immersive universes and iconic characters that are beloved across platforms, borders, backgrounds, and generations – only made possible by building a work environment that nurtures the artistry of game development and fuels the aspirations of our people.

Check below to see if you have what is needed for this opportunity, and if so, make an application asap.As our next Animation Director, you will craft the animation vision for the game–in line with the overall creative vision–and will rally your animators behind this vision. You will give them the mentorship and context they need to grasp the overall style you’re trying to achieve, and then allow them the freedom to experiment and iterate.While your animators build a world from the ground up, you’ll keep an eye on form and function from a player’s perspective, ensuring that the look and feel of movement reach their intentions: to support the animation in cinematics, convey the narrative, and create a connection with players, all to support an immersive and engaging experience.This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, the potential home studio for this position is Irvine, CA.Responsibilities

Lead and mentor a team of animators, providing guidance and support to foster their professional growth and build upon their creative potential.Collaborate with designers, tech artists, and engineers to integrate animation assets into the engine, and to identify and troubleshoot any technical issues that might arise.Partner with engineers and tech artists to help support and develop an effective animation pipeline for prototyping and a rapid iteration mentality for game development.Leverage expertise across both team leadership and gameplay animation, ideally with a strong background in stylized key frame animation and a proven track record to deliver exaggerated character animations.Apply skills and knowledge of character motion and animation principles throughout the entirety of the creative process, adeptly weaving these skills with game design requirements and technical constraints to improve gameplay depth and ensure seamless visual execution within the game’s overarching vision.Maintain a detailed understanding of current and emerging animation technologies, and a commitment to innovation and excellence within your work at Blizzard.Requirements

15+ years experience in AAA game design, five of which in a Lead or Principal capacity or a combination of education and work experience.Extensive knowledge of animation software like Motion Builder, 3DS Max, and Maya.An understanding of the technologies available to be used in animation like IK, FK, Motion Matching and Procedural, and the pros and cons of their use.Ability to make a vision accessible and to ensure that it is well understood by all.Good artistic judgment.Ability to provide constructive feedback in an accessible way that leaves space for the creativity of your teams.Basic knowledge of game, narrative design, and 3Cs.Strong leadership and team management skills paired with the ability to inspire and empower a diverse team of designers and developers.Excellent communication and teamwork skills, can convey sophisticated technical concepts to non-technical partners.Passion for gaming and a strong understanding of game design principles, player psychology, and user experience fundamentals.Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, with a dedication to excellence and continuous improvement.

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