At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the art direction for a AAA RPG, ensuring top-notch visual quality and cohesive worldbuilding.
- Company: Join Scopely, a leading mobile games company with a passion for play and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid or remote work environment, competitive salary, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to equal opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the visual identity of exciting games and collaborate with talented artists globally.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in game art, with leadership experience and a strong portfolio.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Scopely is looking for an Art Lead to join our Slate Development Group in the UK on a hybrid or remote basis! At Scopely, we care deeply about what we do and want to inspire play, every day - whether in our work environments alongside our talented colleagues, or through our deep connections with our communities of players. We are a global team of game lovers who are developing, publishing and innovating the mobile games industry, connecting millions of people around the world daily. We are developing a AAA action RPG based on a world-renowned IP, and we’re looking for a Principal Artist who combines strong artistic authority, deep worldbuilding sensibility, and hands-on 3D game development expertise.
What You Will Do:
- Art Direction & Visual Quality
- Uphold and evolve the game’s visual identity, tone, and worldbuilding
- Ensure a cohesive visual experience across characters, environments, VFX, and UI
- Apply strong understanding of: Composition (visual, gameplay, and cinematic), Lighting, materials, and atmosphere, Environmental storytelling and realism
- External Studio Leadership
- Partner with our external development studio to guide and coordinate art quality across characters, environments, VFX, UI, and more to achieve AAA-quality output
- Help establish and maintain efficient art workflows, feedback loops, and quality standards across time zones
- Translate creative vision into clear, actionable direction for external teams
- Quality Bar & Visual Development
- Perform paintovers, visual callouts, and written feedback to elevate the art to a AAA-quality bar
- Identify visual risks early and proactively course-correct to maintain style, readability, and polish
- Help define and uphold the game’s visual style, ensuring consistency across all art deliverables
- Art → Game Translation
- Work closely with Tech Art, Design, and Production to ensure: Art is fully functional in-engine, Assets meet performance and gameplay readability standards
- Bridge the gap between: Concept art and Final in-game execution
- Feedback & Communication
- Review art submissions and playtest builds to provide concise, actionable feedback that is clear, respectful, and actionable
- Translate high-level creative direction into concrete, production-ready visual guidance for our Shanghai studio
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure art supports gameplay and performance needs
- IP Holder Collaboration
- Partner with our IP holder to establish visual guidelines, approvals, and feedback
- Clearly interpret and relay art feedback to the development team, helping them understand intent and constraints
- Ensure all art content aligns with established IP canon, while still meeting gameplay needs and driving towards a world-class player experience
Qualifications:
- 7+ years of professional game art experience, with at least 2+ years in a lead or senior role
- Experience working on AAA action RPGs or fantasy titles or high-end action RPGs on mobile or PC
- 3D Game Development Expertise and deep understanding of real-time game development
- Strong visual fundamentals (composition, color, lighting, anatomy, material definition)
- Comfortable doing hands-on paintovers and async visual problem-solving
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially for giving clear, constructive feedback
- Experience working with established IPs and navigating approval pipelines
Nice to Have:
- Experience working with teams in China or across multiple time zones
- Familiarity with Unity pipelines and tooling
- Passion for low-fantasy / grounded worlds
- Mandarin proficiency
Please include a portfolio or PDF/links to examples of your work in the application. At Scopely, we create games for everyone - and want to ensure that the people behind our games reflect that! We are committed to creating a diverse, supportive work environment where everyone is treated with respect. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities and welcome individuals from all backgrounds to join us & embrace the adventure!
Art Lead, New Game (AAA RPG) employer: Scopely
At Scopely, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that champions creativity and collaboration. As an Art Lead in our UK-based Slate Development Group, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside passionate game lovers while enjoying flexible hybrid or remote working arrangements. We are committed to your professional growth, offering diverse projects and the chance to lead AAA-quality art development, all within a supportive environment that values diversity and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Art Lead, New Game (AAA RPG)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow artists and game developers on platforms like LinkedIn or Discord. Join relevant groups and participate in discussions to get your name out there and learn about potential job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date and highlights your best work, especially projects that align with AAA RPGs. When you apply through our website, include a link to your portfolio so we can see your artistic flair right away.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising your pitch. Be ready to discuss your past projects, your approach to art direction, and how you handle feedback. We love seeing candidates who can communicate their vision clearly and confidently!
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on industry trends! Follow game development news and keep an eye on what’s happening in the world of AAA games. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also show us your passion for the industry.
We think you need these skills to ace Art Lead, New Game (AAA RPG)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Portfolio:Make sure to include a link to your portfolio or attach a PDF showcasing your best work. We want to see your artistic flair and how it aligns with the AAA RPG vibe we're going for!
Tailor Your Application:When writing your application, don’t just send a generic cover letter. We love seeing how your experience directly relates to the role of Art Lead. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that match our job description!
Be Clear and Concise:In your written application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts well. This helps us understand your vision and how you communicate feedback, which is super important for this role.
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to apply through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us safely. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Scopely!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scopely
✨Know Your Art Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of your portfolio and the projects you've worked on. Be ready to discuss your artistic choices, the techniques you used, and how they align with the AAA RPG genre. This will show your depth of knowledge and passion for the role.
✨Research Scopely's Games
Familiarise yourself with Scopely's existing titles, especially those in the RPG genre. Understanding their visual style and gameplay mechanics will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate how you can contribute to their vision.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Since the role requires 3D game development expertise, be prepared to answer technical questions about art pipelines, tools like Unity, and how to ensure assets meet performance standards. Brush up on your knowledge of environmental storytelling and composition as well.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Art Lead, you'll need to guide teams and provide constructive feedback. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led projects or collaborated with external studios. Highlight your communication skills and ability to translate creative visions into actionable tasks.
