Edge of Reality is a veteran cross platform console studio based in Austin, Texas. We are working closely with BioWare on Dragon Age PS3 & 360. We also work with The Sims Studio, a part of the EA Play label on various projects.
We have been fortunate enough to be part of several hit titles. As a result of this success, the studio has a stable future. Edge of Reality is completely independent. As such, we are free to work with any publisher, on any platform.
Edge of Reality, founded in 1998, got its modest start with N64 ports. The ports we have done include Monster Truck Madness N64, Tony Hawk ProSkater 1, 2 & 3 N64, and Spiderman N64. These ports capitalized the studio and allowed us to grow our development capability to take on full game development. We have developed a number of cross platform titles for the PS2, Xbox & GameCube including The Sims, Pitfall: The Lost Expedition, DreamWork's Shark Tale, and DreamWork’s Over The Hedge. Most recently, we have developed Pitfall: The Big Adventure for the Wii, and The Incredible Hulk for the PS3, 360, Wii, PS2, and PC. Publishers we have successfully worked with include Sega, EA, Activision and Take Two.
The studio is comprised of a good blend of talent across multiple levels of experience. There are no ego battles at Edge of Reality. Everyone works hard together for the common purpose of making the best games possible. Our tools and engine are proprietary and thus, highly customizable. We have comprehensive Maya based world-building tools that enable the designer and artist to run with their vision. It is a proprietary toolset that gives simple access to sophisticated systems like AI, cinemas, and scenario design. This system removes the barriers between the designer and the implementation of their goals.
We offer competitive financial packages, a friendly work environment, and the chance to work on hit games. Benefits include health, dental, vision, 401k matching, paid time off, and paid company holidays. Company social functions include boat parties, holiday parties, launch parties, movie nights, and picnics. Our office has a beautiful view of the hill country. Austin provides a high quality of life with affordable housing, good healthcare, numerous local colleges and a wide variety of entertainment. The studio is located in the west Austin. The average commute to work is only 20 minutes.
• Work closely with the Studio Art Director and Lead Concept Artist to define the artistic goals for a game • Assist the Senior Management Team in the creation and overall management of the art schedule • Responsible for establishing the art production pipeline and enforcing the process throughout the project cycle • Working with Producer to adjust project goals and design revisions on the fly as necessary to adapt to changing situations to meet established schedules • Supporting the Producer to keep studio executive staff, the publisher and/or marketing staff up to speed on product status and vision through the preparation and presentation of appropriate project materials (e.g., milestone updates, demos, etc) • Work with the sub-leads on the team on a daily basis to effectively manage art direction, modeling, texturing, lighting, SFX, data optimization and debugging to meet the aesthetic, stylistic, and technical quality bar • Ensure that artists on the team have reasonable schedules, clearly defined tasks, all of the tools necessary to do their job, and sensible file structures an naming conventions • Detect significant problems and find the best “artistic/technical/organizational” compromise in collaboration with the lead artist and other team leads. • Take part in the development of new graphic techniques and the integration of the graphical content in the engine • Communicate actively to the team the artistic vision while taking the best output from the team to improve that vision
Management:
• Lead and motivate the art team to realize overall goals and deliver a successful project on budget and on time • In partnership with Producer, help settle project-related conflicts and disputes, and counsel artists according to HR policies • Mentor and serve as a technical and creative resource for the team, assisting in the resolution of complex problems, and helping them grow in their roles • Assist in the recruiting, hiring, mentoring and preparing performance reviews of artists. • Collaborate with the Studio Management Team and HR to assemble a AAA Art Team
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience:
• 10+ years experience within the game industry. • 3+ published games credited as an artist • At least two AAA published game credited in a Art Lead or Director in a development role • Proven leadership and management skills • Soft skills: • Understands game production design process and methodology • Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems efficiently • Effective communication with peers, development staff and senior management • Ability to work under pressure and balance the impacts of deadlines and resources with the style and quality requirements of a project • Strong time management skills with a proven ability to focus on multiple priorities and juggle multiple tasks and deadlines • Ability to work cooperatively on a team spanning artists, programmers and designers, and to compromise when necessary to achieve overall best results • Ability to mentor and train the art staff
Hard Skills:
• Intimate knowledge of game development process from concept, pre-production, production, post-production to final product release • Able to draft an Art/Tech Art documents and execute on it • Demonstrable excellence as an artist (anatomy, graphic design, animation, architecture) • Know platforms and engine limits, maximize quality and manage risks • In depth knowledge of the graphical aspects involved in game development (modeling, environment art, special effects, lighting, texturing, etc). Should be an expert in at least one of these areas • Knowledge of industry standard 2D and 3D (maya preferred) DCC applications • Next generation console experience • Experience with Art Outsourcing
Education:
• B.A. or equivalent degree
Please send resume, cover letter, demo reel or work samples to jobs@edgeofreality.com with Lead Artist in the subject line
