Job Description

About The Hiring Team

Welcome to Lightspeed LA, the first U.S.-based, AAA game development studio for Tencent Games. Lightspeed LA is focused on building open-world games that emphasize an ambitious living world, sophisticated player-driven gameplay, and mature, thoughtful storytelling. We are developing the first in a series of genre-defining titles. Why join Lightspeed LA? For us, it's not only about the exciting, new AAA open world game we're developing but also about team values and studio culture. We foster an open and transparent environment where everyone feels comfortable providing constructive feedback about all aspects of our games. We encourage the showing of work that's still in progress. We don't attack or question unfinished work, we celebrate its promise. We have a No Blame Culture where we blame the problem, not the person. This is a safe place to fail, and we don't view failure as a negative, but as the natural result of pushing boundaries and trying new things. We create together. We face challenges together. We succeed together.

What The Role Entails

We are seeking a Camera Designer to drive design and implementation of gameplay cameras. In this role, you will work closely with the Lead Gameplay Designer and the Senior Camera Designer to elevate gameplay presentation, improve usability of gameplay cameras, and provide camera support to numerous different disciplines including mission, ambient world and gameplay design. Camera Designer creates and polishes real-time camera animations for gameplay and IGCs using standard tools from Unreal and our proprietary tools. You will collaborate within a strike team environment to solve complex technical issues without obvious solutions. In addition to creating polished cameras and animations, the employee will be responsible for implementation and trouble-shooting the systems and content they create.

1. Contribute to the development of a cohesive cinematographic style for moment-to-moment gameplay presentation including ambient world interacts, runtime mission/objective presentation, environment vista shots, mini-game presentation elements
2. Develop and improve player camera systems for traversal, ranged combat, melee combat, and vehicle gameplay cameras
3. Identify and design unique camera behaviors and compositions for various gameplay modes narrative moments
4. Collaborate with Cinematic team to ensure our cameras have a unified style and transitions between gameplay camera and cinematic are seamless
5. Collaborate with Engineering to develop and implement camera systems and improve tools
6. Strive to make gameplay cameras feel intuitive for as many players as possible (UX)

Who We Look For

• Minimum 2-5 years working in the industry in roles that range in camera animation, character animation, design and technical art areas
• 2-5 years of experience in camera design and implementation in 3rd person action /shooter games
• A passion for improving gameplay, user experience and presentation
• Must be fluent with Unreal Editor and Blueprint scripting
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey difficult and abstract concepts to all disciplines
• Fluent in cinematography and composition, pacing and narrative storytelling

Preferred Knowledge/Skills

• At least 2 year's experience with industry standard 3-D animation package (3D Studio Max, Motion Builder, and Maya)
• Aptitude for creative problem solving
• Passion for visual storytelling and fostering emotional connection to game characters
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to new technology and complex pipelines
• Solid organization skills with adherence to file structures, naming conventions and other established protocols
• Ability to work in the game engine and tools, playing the game frequently and identifying areas of needed improvement
• Must be able to embrace the established art and design vision of the game and ensure it is delivered in its entirety at the end of the project
• Excellent ability to self-manage to meet deadlines and work well under pressure
• Able to work well within a team: willingness to give and receive feedback, and the ability to embrace change; ability to collaborate productively with others
• Must have an active, passionate interest in current video games to help drive the game to the next level
• Possess an extensive knowledge of competing products and a deep understanding of the complexity and edge cases present in open world game where the player has multiple ways of travel
• Significant contribution to at least one AAA title

Why Join Us?

Location State(s): US-California-Irvine The expected base pay range for this position in the location(s) listed above is $69,305.60 to $140,400.00 per year. Actual pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Employees hired for this position may be eligible for a sign on payment, relocation package, and restricted stock units, which will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Subject to the terms and conditions of the plans in effect, hired applicants are also eligible for medical, dental, vision, life and disability benefits, and participation in the Company's 401(k) plan. The Employee is also eligible for up to 15 to 25 days of vacation per year (depending on the employee's tenure), up to 13 days of holidays throughout the calendar year, and up to 10 days of paid sick leave per year. Your benefits may be adjusted to reflect your location, employment status, duration of employment with the company, and position level. Benefits may also be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.

As an equal opportunity employer, we firmly believe that diverse voices fuel our innovation and allow us to better serve our users and the community. We foster an environment where every employee of Tencent feels supported and inspired to achieve individual and common goals.

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