Big Huge Games

Big Huge Games, developer of the award-winning real-time strategy games Rise of Nations and Rise of Legends, is expanding into a multi-team, multi-genre, next-gen company. We're looking for an experienced, exceptionally knowledgeable, talented, and motivated Lead Character Artist to participate in the creation of our upcoming RPG.

We're looking for people interested in:

Developing cutting-edge new IP across multiple next-gen platforms and genres, which will include work on our unannounced console RPG title led by Ken Rolston, Lead Designer of Oblivion and Morrowind
Pushing the development of RTS games through our Rise of Nations® franchise and beyond
Continuing to develop downloadable games like our acclaimed version of Settlers of Catan for XBLA

Job Purpose and Responsibilities:

The Lead Character Artist will work closely with the Art Director and Project Leads from project inception to finish and will have a significant role in establishing and maintaining the look of the project. Major responsibilities include:

Manage an internal character art team day-to-day (in addition to external contractors).
Work with Art Lead and Production team to define key milestones.
Frequently interface with our talented concept art team to ensure consistency between concept and game character assets.
Develop run-time game character procedures and pipelines.
Coordinate the technical and aesthetic processes in order to realize the vision.
Manage, mentor, and coach staff, including bi-weekly meetings with all character team members.
Make a significant direct contribution to the creation of character art.
Leads by example. Demonstrates, communicates, and exemplifies clear expectations for quality of work, productivity, communication, and professionalism to the character team.

Skills and Experience:

5+ years professional game development experience
Shipped titles as a Senior and/or Lead Character Artist on PC or console (PS2/ PS3/ Xbox/ 360/ Wii). Experience in FPS and/or RPG a plus.
Experience developing original IP from conception to completion
Extensive experience and proficiency with 3D Studio MAX, Zbrush (and/or Mudbox) and Photoshop.
Expertise with current graphics production techniques
Outstanding drawing, design, and conceptual art skills
Strong 3d modeling and texture mapping skills.

Qualifications:

Solid understanding of next-gen game character development processes, limitations, and dependencies
Excellent communication, time-management, and organizational skills
Task driven, self-motivated, proactive
Strong leadership and interpersonal abilities
Actively accepts and provides direction, works well under deadline pressure
An enormous passion for games

In addition to competitive salaries, Big Huge Games offers an extremely attractive benefits package, including:

401(k) plan
Paid vacation, sick leave, personal days and holidays
Comprehensive health insurance plan for you and your dependents
Employer funded life insurance and disability coverage

Contact Info:

Big Huge's preferred method of viewing your artwork and resume is by email submission of your portfolio website link to greatartjob@bighugegames.com. Links to professional blogs are also of interest. We encourage applicants to attach 3 samples of their strongest character work (JPG preferred). Limit total of attachments to 3mb or less. Note in the subject line "Lead Character Artist". Please do not send items via US Mail.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

About Big Huge Games:

We're a team of over 100 game developers - including a 28 person art department. Team skills are as important to us as technical skills and by sticking to this "core value," we've created a fun and energetic workplace with a passion for AAA game development. Some of our most successful games include Rise of Nations and Rise of Legends, of which the latter received Gamespy's 2006 Special Achievement in Art Direction Award and has been lauded by the press as "A playable piece of art..." (Game Revolution) and "...the best-looking RTS I've ever played" (PC Gamer). Another recent success has been the acquisition of Big Huge Games by the videogame publisher THQ in 2008 - a natural step in the evolution of the business, bringing in even more resources and allowing us to make even better (and better looking!) videogames. We're now hard at work on several new and as-yet-unannounced titles for the Xbox360, Playstation 3, Wii, and PC.

We're proud of our creative environment which includes fun office perks such as...

Pool table
Ping pong table
Full-size bar (modeled after a local Irish Pub)
Arcade machine (100's of classics installed)
Free drinks (sodas, tea, and freshly ground coffee via two fancy latte machines)
Biometric hand-scanner (Physical office keys? That's so twentieth century.)
Console gaming area (PS3, 360, and Wii)
Continuously updated Game Library stocked with 100's of titles available for borrow anytime
150 gallon saltwater aquarium