Senior 3D Cinematic Animation Artist

Thatgamecompany, Inc.

Job Overview

Location

Remote - US

Job Type

Full-time

Full Job Description

📋 Description

• As a Senior 3D Cinematic Animation Artist at Thatgamecompany, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the emotional and narrative depth of Sky: Children of the Light by crafting cinematic sequences that elevate player immersion and storytelling. Your work will directly contribute to the studio’s legacy of creating artistically profound, emotionally resonant interactive experiences that have garnered critical acclaim and a devoted global audience.
• You will design, generate, and implement in-game cutscenes and cinematic sequences using a blend of proprietary and industry-standard tools, working within the game engine to construct complex timelines that integrate camera movements, character animations, environmental effects, and gameplay mechanics to deliver seamless, emotionally impactful moments.
• Your day-to-day responsibilities will include creating clear, emotionally engaging narrative cutscenes for both story and gameplay purposes; modifying and refining existing cinematics based on feedback and iterative design; storyboarding and developing narrative concepts through thumbnails and animatics to visualize ideas early in the process; executing high-quality 3D keyframe animation for characters, props, and environment assets; implementing, testing, and debugging animated sequences within the engine to ensure technical stability and artistic fidelity; collaborating closely with designers, engineers, and other artists to align cinematic vision with gameplay and technical constraints; and delivering polished work under dynamic, fast-paced deadlines while maintaining the studio’s high standards of quality and creativity.
• You will join a passionate, award-winning art team at Thatgamecompany, a studio renowned for its innovative approach to interactive storytelling and its commitment to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and creatively driven culture where artistic expression is valued as much as technical excellence.
• In this role, you will deepen your expertise in cinematic storytelling within interactive media, refine your mastery of 3D animation and game engine workflows, and have the opportunity to influence the narrative direction of a beloved live-service game, contributing to moments that resonate with millions of players worldwide while growing alongside a team that prioritizes both personal and professional development.

🎯 Requirements

• Deep working knowledge of cinematography, editing, pictorial composition, and general principles of visual storytelling
• 5+ years of professional experience in cinematics production for game development and/or animation for film/television/commercial productions
• Ability to clearly communicate narrative ideation early and quickly through thumbnails, storyboards, and animatics
• Working knowledge and solid technical proficiency with 3D game engines and related toolsets and workflows
• Professional experience with 3D character animation
• Proficiency in Autodesk Maya
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to learn new software and skillsets

🏖️ Benefits

• Paid Time Off, Holidays, and Two Weeks Winter Break
• Employees and their dependents get medical, dental, and vision coverage, regardless of their level, tenure, or position within the company. Moreover, these benefits start on the first day of the job—there’s no waiting period before they kick in.
• Pet Insurance for those who need it too.
• Compassionate leave for employees who needs to take care of their family members
• Pre-tax wellness stipend
• Pre-tax work from home stipend
• Access our savings plan (401K program) with company match
• Mental health resources including Headspace membership and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Discount portal for everyday goods and services
• Employee inclusive and diversity initiatives such as Grow Together
• Support for personal professional development

Skills & Technologies

Senior

Remote

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Thatgamecompany, Inc.

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About Thatgamecompany, Inc.

Thatgamecompany, Inc. is an independent game studio founded in 2006 by Jenova Chen and Kellee Santiago. Based in Santa Monica, California, it develops emotionally driven, artful interactive experiences. The studio is best known for Journey, Flower, Sky: Children of the Light, and Flow, titles that emphasize exploration, cooperation, and non-verbal storytelling over traditional competitive mechanics. Games are published across PlayStation, iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch platforms, frequently receiving critical acclaim for innovative design and evocative music. Thatgamecompany self-publishes and retains ownership of its intellectual properties, aiming to expand global reach while preserving artistic vision.

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