Job Description
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Who We Are
2K Games is headquartered in Novato, California and is a wholly owned label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO). Founded in 2005, 2K Games is a global video game company, publishing titles developed by some of the most influential game development studios in the world. Our studios responsible for developing 2K’s portfolio of world-class games across multiple platforms, include Visual Concepts, Firaxis, Hangar 13, CatDaddy, Cloud Chamber, 31st Union, and HB Studios. Our portfolio of titles is expanding due to our global strategic plan, building and acquiring exciting studios whose content continues to inspire all of us! 2K publishes titles in today’s most popular gaming genres, including sports, shooters, action, role-playing, strategy, casual, and family entertainment.
Located in Vancouver, BC, 2K Sports Lab is a small collective being formed within 2K Games that is driving the research and development of future sports interactive entertainment programs. Within this group, speculative work will be done on future sports games with an eye towards taking the magic of 2K’s publishing and development expertise and applying them to future opportunities.
Our team of engineers, marketers, artists, writers, data scientists, producers, thinkers and doers, are the professional publishing stewards of our growing library of critically-acclaimed franchises such as NBA 2K, 2K PGA, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, Lego Drive, BioShock, Borderlands, The Quarry, Mafia, Sid Meier’s Civilization, Marvel’s Midnight Suns, WWE 2K, and XCOM.
At 2K, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We encourage ALL applicants to explore our global positions, even if they don’t meet every requirement for the role. If you’re interested in the job and think you have what it takes to work at 2K, we encourage you to apply.
What We Need
Our studio is looking for an experienced Art Director who sets a high quality bar, a passion for authentic sports games and is a leader of others with the goal of achieving the highest quality in the visual representation of our sport. A person who will play a key role in defining the visual language of every aspect of the game that is shown on screen. An experienced leader who loves to mentor and guide their team of artists. A person who loves to collaborate with others and has deep experience working with both engineering and art teams to drive for the highest quality bar possible while balancing the realities of the performance requirements in gaming.
What You’ll Do
Be both an individual contributor as well as a leader and mentor for members of the art team. The art director is responsible for every aspect of the visual quality and authenticity of our game. You will define the artistic style and overall look of all aspects of the game. You will build the creative team for our game which includes 2d and 3d artists (characters and environments). You will collaborate closely with the game designers, artists and engineers to ensure that everything in our game is visually spectacular while at the same time, cohesive with the game’s overall vision. You will also work directly with the team to provide art support in building necessary assets for prototypes in early development.
You will:
- Help build a premier art development team from the ground up.
- Establish Visual Targets and the visual language for all aspects of our game, ensuring that it supports the overall game’s vision.
- Collaborate closely with game designers and to establish and communicate style and quality bar for the project.
- Build the style guide for all visual aspects of the game and ensure that it is understood and communicated well across the team.
- Be responsible for the quality and efficiency of all art delivery into the game.
- Champion tools development to optimize processes and workflows for artists.
- Deliver clear and consistent visual feedback that elevates your artists’ work.
- Lead and contribute to positive morale and a healthy team culture.
- Be aware of and evaluate new technologies and techniques in the industry for application in our game.
- Mentor and lead the art team, working with them to strengthen their skills and expertise.
- Manage the art team, providing coaching and performance feedback.
What Will Make You A Great Fit
- 10+ years of game art production experience.
- Shipped at least two AAA titles.
- Deep knowledge of sports. Playing experience is a plus.
- Excellent at cultivating positive working relationships with internal partners and development teams.
- Games experience, including concept creation, 2d UI / UX art production, 3d character and environments, working with Technical Artists and Rendering engineers.
- Outstanding communication, interpersonal and leadership skills.
- Experience working with UI/UX specialists, Interface Designers, Character and Environment artists, Technical Artists and Render SEs.
- Experience driving teams to produce art at scale, including the use of outsourcing.
- Early concept and prototyping experience
Beneficial Qualifications
- Passionate about playing and/or watching sports.
- Experience in Unreal Engine is a plus.
- Passion for video games (not just ours)
The pay range for this position in British Columbia, Canada at the start of employment is expected to be between 133,000 and 200,000 CAD per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an ‘at-will position’ and the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform their essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.
Please note that 2K Games and its studios never uses instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews and when emailing, only use 2K.com accounts.
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