RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the creation of stunning visual effects for our games, focusing on enhancing gameplay experiences, cinematic moments, and marketing initiatives.
• Model, rig, shade, and animate FX meshes in Maya and Unity, tailored specifically for our brands.
• Develop sprite sheets and texture atlases using After Effects, optimized for real-time effects pipelines in Unity.
• Utilize Unity to create 2D and 3D particle simulations that bring the world of Cookie Jam and other titles to life.
• Collaborate with designers and artists to understand game requirements, iterating on real-time visual effects that offer optimal player feedback and contribute to an engaging gameplay loop.
• Work closely with the creative team to establish visual effect styles that align with the overall creative vision of our games, ensuring consistency and visual harmony.
• Support and optimize the technical development of the effects pipeline, ensuring it remains effective, scalable, and aligned with the needs of match-3 puzzle games.
• Partner with User Experience designers to develop animated UI elements alongside visual effects, creating a seamless and satisfying gameplay experience.
• Continuously research, analyze, optimize, and troubleshoot effects for both quality and performance, ensuring the highest standards are met.
• Collaborate with producers to create plans, milestones, and goals that align with broader team initiatives and project timelines.
• Provide constructive feedback to both internal teams and outsourcing partners to ensure the highest quality visual effects.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of experience as a VFX artist in the games industry, with a strong emphasis on experience within Unity.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills with the ability to develop innovative solutions for complex visual effects challenges.
• A keen visual eye, capable of identifying and producing high-quality visual experiences utilizing motion, color, timing, and lighting, particularly suited for the casual and vibrant aesthetic of match-3 puzzle games.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• A versatile skill set that encompasses art, animation, design, and technical ability, ensuring the delivery of visually stunning effects.
• Mastery of Adobe Creative Suite, Maya, and other relevant visual effects software.
• A solid understanding of shader development to create impressive visual effects that enhance 3D game environments.
• Experience in establishing and maintaining a cohesive visual effects style that aligns with the game’s overall aesthetic.
• A deep understanding of what makes a compelling player experience, with a portfolio that reflects a strong track record of creating engaging visual effects.

NICE TO HAVE

• Programming and scripting experience is a plus, providing additional flexibility and control over the effects pipeline.
• A strong foundation in traditional art, including figure drawing and painting, which informs your creative approach to visual effects.
• Experience working with files from Spine for 2D animation in Unity, enhancing the visual dynamism of our games.
• Prior experience in setting up and refining a technical visual effects pipeline.
• Experience leading a team, mentoring junior artists, and driving the creative vision forward.