OS CHARACTER ART MANAGER

Why PlayStation?

PlayStation isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Today, we’re recognized as a global leader in entertainment producing The PlayStation family of products and services including PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®VR, PlayStation®Plus, acclaimed PlayStation software titles from PlayStation Studios, and more.

PlayStation also strives to create an inclusive environment that empowers employees and embraces diversity. We welcome and encourage everyone who has a passion and curiosity for innovation, technology, and play to explore our open positions and join our growing global team.

The PlayStation brand falls under Sony Interactive Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation.

ABOUT FIREWALK STUDIOS

Firewalk Studios is dedicated to creating unforgettable multiplayer experiences that capture the joy of playing together. We believe in the power of multiplayer and want to delight players with worlds that spark imagination and forge connection through immersive gameplay, artistry, and heartfelt characters. We are currently working on an original multiplayer game as part of Sony Interactive Entertainment.

Creating worlds that ignite imagination and connection takes a collaborative team. Firewalk is building a world-class, next-generation game studio with a focus on a more sustainable approach to game development. For us, setting a high-quality bar, creating something extraordinary, and treating each other with trust and respect go hand-in-hand.  

THE ROLE

Firewalk Studios is looking for a OS Character Art Manager who is interested in applying their skills to help bring exceptional entertainment to millions of players. As our OS Character Art Manager, your focus will be on the visual development of the product, working closely with leadership and external vendors to ensure that the quality and integrity of the product meets or exceeds product vision, and pushes the boundaries of competitive visual quality.

WHO YOU ARE

• Passionate about the video game industry and knowledgeable about FPS.
• Care deeply about creating and fostering healthy and strong teams.
• Understand the importance of empathy and emotional intelligence in the workplace.
• Able to move between long range thinking and day to day issues.
• Excited about learning and growing your skillset.
• Ready to jump in and start problem solving across multiple disciplines.
• Care and consideration for the player experience.

WHAT YOUR DAY MIGHT LOOK LIKE

• Collaborate with the members of the art and development team to communicate the visual goals of the project and maintain the consistency of this vision with external vendors and teams.
• Organize and prepare character art asset briefs, providing reference materials, documentation, and technical specs to our external partners based on team and project requirements.
• Review all deliverables for artistic quality and technical accuracy.
• Provide clear character art guidelines and complete feedback to ensure all outsourced material meets visual and technical requirements.
• Work closely with art leadership and production to track, organize, maintain, and document status of outsourced character art assets.
• Shepherd and improve the character art outsource pipeline between teams and enforce the process throughout the project cycle.
• Import and integrate outsourced materials into the engine with proper setup and communicate readiness to team.
• Assisting in the development of documentation and ensuring it stays complete and up to date.
• Define and execute creative strategies that improve quality, cost-effectiveness, and risk mitigation of our products.
• Maintain strong creative relationships with existing partners and internal teams.
• Vet external parties for viability and make recommendations on external vendors.
• Individual contribution in character art and outsource clean-up. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• 3+ years in a production-focused pipeline focused within the video game industry.
• Shipped AAA title and direct contribution to game pipeline, live services is a plus.
• An extensive background in Character Art.
• Experience collaborating, building relationships and coordinating with Art Outsource vendors.   
• Demonstrated experience in game art asset creation in a variety of software packages including Maya, ZBrush, Photoshop, Substance Painter, and UE4 or UE5.
• Critical eye for core artistic principals including color, composition, anatomy, and perspective.
• Exceptional written and visual communication skills.
• Highly organized and self-driven with an attention to detail.
• Experience managing multiple projects with competing priorities.
• Proficiency with JIRA, Flow (Shotgrid) and other project management toolsets.
• Strong character art portfolio is required to be evaluated.

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