Cinematic Designer (Mid-Senior)

 

 

Archetype Entertainment is a new game studio in Austin, Texas led by industry veterans from BioWare, Naughty Dog, 343 Industries, Santa Monica Studio, and more! Archetype is a division of Wizards of the Coast (Hasbro). We are building a development team with world-class talent to create a new science fiction universe for our first multiplatform roleplaying video game.

 

Our goal is to create the greatest story-driven roleplaying games in the world.

 

At Archetype, we believe there will always be a place for story-driven roleplaying games that put the player at the center of an epic personal narrative with impactful choices. We are building games that represent the diversity of our audience. We also believe that game studios should empower top developers and challenge them with ambitious projects that are shaped by a strong, clearly communicated creative vision.

 

We chose Austin because it is a great place to live and work. Austin is the capital of Texas and is a fast-growing city with a vibrant music scene, cosmopolitan culture, a world-class university (the University of Texas at Austin -- “Hook ‘em Horns!”), and scenic rolling hills.

 

The Role

We are searching for a passionate Cinematic Designer to join our team in building stunning interactive cinematics for a multiplatform roleplaying video game in a brand-new science fiction universe.

 

Please include a demo reel with examples of in-game cinematics from previous shipped titles.

 

What You'll Do

• Review Scripts: Identify and understand the tone, character motivations, and production requirements of cinematic scripts that feature player choices and branching dialog trees.
• Collaborate: Ensure your cinematics will fit seamlessly within the game by communicating with designers to understand level layout and narrative context bookending each scene.
• Blocking and Composition: Thoughtfully plan and block out cameras, characters, and choreographed action or events within Unreal Sequencer.
• Script Runtime Playback: Script cinematic playback in-level using Unreal Sequencer and Archetype's proprietary conversation toolset.
• Creative use of Animations: Leverage a library of modular animations and custom mocap to craft immersive performances and compelling character interactions.
• Pacing and Editing: Polish and refine level sequences with deliberate pacing that beautifully adapt scripted dialog to immersive runtime cinematics.
• Lighting Design: Light scenes to evoke the intended mood and atmosphere of the script and level while respecting established standards, color palettes, and runtime performance requirements.
• Agile and Organized: Efficiently prioritize multiple scenes within a single sprint. Adapt as needed based on level progress and the availability of animations and art assets.
• Maintain Artistic Consistency: Ensure your scenes align with the overall cinematic direction and established aesthetics for the game and IP.

 

What You'll Bring

• Creative problem solver with proven experience adapting to challenges in a dynamic development environment.
• Outstanding ability to identify character motivations and emotional beats from written dialog.
• Intimate knowledge of cinematic principles and shot composition.
• Strong grasp of Unreal Engine or comparable tools, with an emphasis on timelines, visual scripting interfaces, and node-based graphs.
• Comfortable working autonomously while adhering to a production schedule.
• Self-starter who can take ownership of their scenes and ensure any/all cross-discipline requirements are clearly communicated and tracked in Jira.
• Capable of clear and concise communication with animators, artists, and other designers.
• Excellent time management and interpersonal skills.
• A passion for story-focused roleplaying games.

 

We are an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer

The above is intended to describe the general content of and the requirements for satisfactory performance in this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of the duties, responsibilities, or requirements of the position.

 

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. If you are selected to move forward in our application process and need to request an accommodation, please let your recruiter or coordinator know.

 

In compliance with local law, we are disclosing the compensation range for this role. The range listed is just one component of Wizards of the Coast’s total compensation package for employee