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- Tasks: Create stunning cutscenes and animations that enhance storytelling in games.
- Company: Join Playground Games, a leading Xbox Game Studio known for genre-defining games.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, relocation assistance, and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a talented team making world-class games with a focus on creativity and inclusion.
- Qualifications: Five years of animation experience with a strong portfolio showcasing AAA titles.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; we celebrate every voice in our team.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Playground Games is looking for a Senior Cinematic Animator to join our talented Fable team here in Leamington Spa.
ABOUT US
As a first-party Xbox Game Studio, we are passionate about making genre-defining games that are accessible, beautiful, and, most of all, fun. We are excited to be rebooting the much-loved Fable franchise and are expanding our diverse team to create a new classic in the action RPG genre.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As a Senior Cinematics Animator, you\’ll work closely with our cinematics team to produce top-tier cutscenes and bespoke animation content. You will drive creative vision from previsualization through final polish, enhance narrative through cinematic storytelling, and ensure your animations are seamlessly integrated within our proprietary engine.
We’re looking for an expert animator who is passionate about storytelling, excels at conveying emotion through performance, and has a deep understanding of both facial and body performance. The ideal candidate has extensive experience with motion capture and hand‑keyed animation, as well as familiarity with implementing cinematics in‑engine.
This is a contract position at our state‑of‑the‑art facilities in Royal Leamington Spa, operating under a hybrid work model. Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.
WHAT YOU\’LL DO
- Capture, solve, retarget, and polish both facial and full‑body mocap data for cutscenes, ensuring high‑quality, believable performances.
- Iterate rapidly on cinematic layout to enhance visual storytelling, refine pacing, and support narrative impact.
- Work closely with the Lead, Director, and cinematic team to incorporate feedback and align animations with the overall creative vision.
- Implement cinematics into our proprietary engine, ensuring seamless integration with gameplay and overall flow.
WHAT YOU\’LL BRING
- Impressive animation portfolio showcasing high‑quality, realistic facial and body animations across multiple projects, ideally from AAA titles. A link to the portfolio website or an attachment with your CV is acceptable.
- Five or more years in animation, with a proven track record on at least two published titles.
- Proficient in body, facial and camera animation, motion capture clean‑up and industry‑standard animation software.
- A genuine enthusiasm for video games, narrative, and the creative process.
- Experience in cinematography, editing, or game engine implementation is highly desirable and will set you apart.
This is a fantastic opportunity to make world‑class games with an established, talented, and collaborative team at one of the industry’s most exciting first‑party game studios.
Playground Games is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, we believe that diversity and inclusion fuels creativity. We are dedicated to creating a safe, comfortable and welcoming working environment.
We strive to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports and celebrates the diverse voices of our team members. It drives our innovation and connects us closer to our players. We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion across age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
At Playground Games we recognise the importance of self‑development, career progression, well‑being and retention of our colleagues. We celebrate difference and welcome everyone to join us and to be themselves at work.
If you require any reasonable accommodation to apply for this position, please contact us on recruitment@playground-games.com.
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Senior Cinematic Animator - Contract employer: PLAYGROUND GAMES LTD
Contact Detail:
PLAYGROUND GAMES LTD Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Cinematic Animator - Contract
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to showcase your animation portfolio prominently. Highlight projects that demonstrate your expertise in both facial and body animations, especially from AAA titles, as this will catch the attention of the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Playground Games' previous titles and their cinematic styles. Understanding their creative vision will help you align your work and show how you can contribute to their storytelling approach.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former employees of Playground Games on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging with them can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with motion capture and in-engine implementation during interviews. Being able to articulate your process and how you've overcome challenges in past projects will demonstrate your expertise and problem-solving skills.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Cinematic Animator - Contract
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your animation experience, especially in facial and body performance. Include specific projects that showcase your skills in motion capture and hand-keyed animation.
Showcase Your Portfolio: Include a link to your animation portfolio in your application. Ensure it features high-quality examples of your work, particularly from AAA titles, to demonstrate your expertise in cinematic storytelling.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for video games and storytelling. Discuss how your experience aligns with the role and how you can contribute to the creative vision of Playground Games.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise your proficiency in industry-standard animation software and any experience you have with cinematography or game engine implementation, as these are highly desirable for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at PLAYGROUND GAMES LTD
✨Showcase Your Portfolio
Make sure to bring a well-organised portfolio that highlights your best work. Include examples of both facial and body animations, especially from AAA titles, as this will demonstrate your expertise and creativity.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Familiarise yourself with Playground Games' values and their commitment to diversity and inclusion. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to their collaborative environment and support their creative vision.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about your experience with motion capture, hand-keyed animation, and in-engine implementation. Brush up on industry-standard software and be ready to discuss your process for capturing and polishing mocap data.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Storytelling
Since the role focuses on enhancing narrative through cinematic storytelling, be prepared to share your thoughts on how animation can convey emotion and support a game's story. Discuss any relevant experiences where you've successfully achieved this.
