Lead Animator at Epoch Games
Company: Epoch Games
Location: Winston-Salem, NC, USA / Remote
Job Type: Volunteer / Remote / Long-Term
Salary: Unpaid / Volunteer Position
About Epoch Games
Epoch Games is a volunteer-based, fully remote global game development team currently creating The Lays of Althas: Sundered Order (LoA:SO), an indie open-world fantasy RPG using Unreal Engine 4 (UE4). The team was founded by modders behind the Middle Earth Roleplaying Project (MERP) mod for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
Epoch Games collaborates entirely online through tools like Slack and Trello, with no relocation necessary.
Job Overview
Epoch Games is seeking an experienced Lead Animator to animate realistic human characters, fantastical creatures, quadrupeds, and aerial creatures for The Lays of Althas: Sundered Order. In this long-term volunteer role, you will work closely with 3D Character Artists and Riggers while also helping build and lead the animation team.
This is not a short-term internship role; the team is looking for a dedicated long-term contributor passionate about creating AAA-quality game animations.
Responsibilities
- Create high-quality animations for human characters and creatures.
- Animate quadrupeds and aerial creatures with realistic movement.
- Collaborate closely with 3D Character Artists and Riggers.
- Help build, organize, and lead the Animation Team.
- Rapidly prototype and iterate on animations.
- Troubleshoot technical and animation-related challenges.
- Attend weekly team meetings and maintain communication via Slack.
- Follow team policies and production guidelines.
- Optionally assist with rigging and skinning tasks.
Qualifications
- Strong understanding of human anatomy and movement.
- Expertise in animating 3D characters.
- Expertise in animating quadrupeds and aerial creatures.
- Strong understanding of traditional animation principles.
- Experience with Non-linear Animation (NLA) systems and/or game animation pipelines.
- Ability to rapidly prototype and deliver animations quickly.
- Self-motivated and capable of solving technical challenges.
- Strong online communication and collaboration skills.
- Passion for animation and AAA-quality game development.
- Fluency in English.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience managing and organizing other animators.
- Experience creating skeletons and rigs for humans and creatures.
- Experience skinning/weighting characters, clothing, and creatures.
- Experience with Reallusion Character Creator 3 (CC3) and iClone 7.
- Experience with MotionBuilder.
Education
Formal education is not required. A strong animation portfolio and leadership experience are highly valued.
Benefits
- Lead and shape the animation direction of an indie fantasy RPG.
- Build leadership and team management experience.
- Expand your portfolio with AAA-quality animations.
- Collaborate with an international remote development team.
- Flexible volunteer schedule.
- Potential access to software support if needed.