Sucker Punch Productions creates innovative games featuring award winning characters, artwork, and technology for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system. Located on the outskirts of Seattle, this Bellevue based studio released the open-world superhero game inFAMOUS, which is rapidly turning into this summer’s must-have PLAYSTATION®3 game, with excellent reviews and solid footing at the top of the PS3 sales charts. Previously, Sucker Punch developed the Sly Cooper series of games—which have received IGDA and AIAS awards for “Original Game Character of the Year,” “Outstanding Achievement in Animation,” and “Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction.” Additional information can be found on the company's Web site at http://www.suckerpunch.com/.
The Lead Animator works with the Art Director and Creative Director to define the movement style and aesthetic of our forthcoming AAA title, then inspires and leads the team to realize that vision. Perhaps you’re a Lead Animator or Senior Animator who has been watching Sucker Punch from afar, has enjoyed the game world of inFamous, and wants to take the character performances in our games to the next level of depth, believability and impact. If so, we’ve got a job for you.
Responsibilities:
Collaborate with the Art Director, the Creative Director and other animation team members to define the movement style and aesthetic of the product.
Ensure consistent application of that movement style and aesthetic in all animations.
Make sure the team meets a consistently high quality standard.
Direct animation performance, both hand keyed and motion captured, to ensure that the game’s animation matches and amplifies the tone of the game, reinforces game play mechanics, and communicates the personality of characters and situations.
Identify, categorize, prioritize and schedule the work of the animation team.
Develop, maintain and manage the work schedule for the animation team, working to identify and manage dependencies between the animation team and other teams.
Personally create high-leverage animations—for instance, quality-establishing benchmark animations, or high-profile animations like core character run cycles.
Qualifications:
Must have shipped at least one product you’re proud of, and that we’re impressed by.
Demonstrated skill in hand keyed animation, with a proven track record of creating memorably dynamic character animation.
Experience directing, modifying and effectively targeting motion captured animation for game characters.
Experience scheduling and tracking animation work.
A highly refined ability to see and communicate the overlapping details which make a performance physically, emotionally and tonally compelling.
Qualities:
Must look forward to collaborating.
Must have strong communication skills.
Must be autonomous, responsible, organized and professional.
Must enjoy seeing the other members of the art team grow and succeed.
Must be a good coach and mentor.
Portfolio:
A portfolio review is required. We prefer web-based submissions, but will evaluate DVDs if necessary.
