Lightspeed LA, a U.S.-based AAA game development studio for Tencent Games, is seeking an Associate Environment Artist. This role involves working with the art team to create visually stunning and engaging environments for an ambitious open-world game. The artist will help bring environments to life using existing pipelines, focusing on 3D models, textures, and assets, and enhancing player immersion. The studio fosters an open, transparent, and no-blame culture, encouraging learning and collaboration.

Must Have

• Help environment artists with creation and refinement of 3D models, textures, and assets.
• Assist in environment creation with a keen eye for landscapes, details, and visual fidelity.
• Work on sculpting, low-poly mesh creation, UV unwrapping, and material setup.
• Learn and apply industry-standard tools and software within the game engine.
• Follow established art styles and iterate based on team feedback.
• Embrace opportunities to learn from all team members.
• Currently pursuing a diploma/degree in Art, Game Design, Animation, or related field.
• A portfolio showcasing environment art projects.
• Familiar with Maya (or equivalent), Zbrush, and Substance Painter.
• Basic understanding of game engines and their asset pipelines (e.g., Unity or Unreal).
• Passion for video games and contributing to virtual worlds.
• Strong desire for self-growth in environment art discipline.

Good to Have

• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Able to proactively seek feedback and ask questions.
• Ability to take and implement feedback in a positive manner.

Perks & Benefits

• Expected base pay range: $72,151.56 to $115,900.00 per year.
• Eligibility for a sign-on payment, relocation package, and restricted stock units (case-by-case basis).
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits.
• Participation in the Company’s 401(k) plan.
• Up to 15 to 25 days of vacation per year (depending on tenure).
• Up to 13 days of holidays throughout the calendar year.
• Up to 10 days of paid sick leave per year.

About the Hiring Team

Welcome to Lightspeed LA, the first U.S.-based, AAA game development studio for Tencent Games. Lightspeed LA is focused on building open-world games that emphasize an ambitious living world, sophisticated player-driven gameplay, and mature, thoughtful storytelling. We are developing the first in a series of genre-defining titles.

Why join Lightspeed LA?

For us, it's not only about the exciting, new AAA open world game we're developing but also about team values and studio culture. We foster an open and transparent environment where everyone feels comfortable providing constructive feedback about all aspects of our games.

• We encourage the showing of work that's still in progress.
• We don't attack or question unfinished work, we celebrate its promise.
• We have a No Blame Culture where we blame the problem, not the person.

This is a safe place to fail, and we don't view failure as a negative, but as the natural result of pushing boundaries and trying new things. We create together. We face Challenges Together. We succeed together.

What the Role Entails

Lightspeed LA is focused on building open-world games that emphasize an ambitious living world, sophisticated player-driven gameplay, and mature, thoughtful storytelling. We are developing the first in a series of genre-defining titles.

Why join Lightspeed LA?

For us, it’s not only about the exciting, new AAA open world game we’re developing but also about team values and studio culture. We foster an open and transparent environment where everyone feels comfortable providing constructive feedback about all aspects of our games.

• We encourage the showing of work that’s still in progress.
• We don’t attack or question unfinished work, we celebrate its promise.
• We have a No Blame Culture where we blame the problem, not the person.

This is a safe place to fail, and we don't view failure as a negative, but as the natural result of pushing boundaries and trying new things. We create together. We face Challenges Together. We succeed together.

About this position at Lightspeed LA

We are seeking an Associate Environment Artist to join our accomplished team of artists. As an Associate Environment Artist, you will work closely with our art team to create visually stunning and engaging environments for our video game title. You will play a role in bringing environments to life using existing pipelines. Following the best practices, you will help implement various aspects of environment art that enhance player immersion and interaction within a game world.

Who We Look For

Responsibilities:

• Help environment artists on the team with the creation and refinement of 3D models, textures, and assets for high-quality game environments.
• Assist in environment creation with a keen eye for landscapes, details, and visual fidelity.
• Work on different aspects of environment creations such as sculpting, low-poly mesh creation, UV unwrapping, and material setup.
• Learn and apply industry-standard tools and software to bring your creative ideas to life within the game engine.
• Follow established art styles and iterate based on feedback from the team to achieve the desired quality.
• Embrace opportunities to learn from all team members to grow your skill set.
• Currently pursuing a diploma / degree in Art, Game Design, Animation, or a related field.
• A portfolio showcasing environment art projects, demonstrating attention to detail and creativity.
• Familiar with Maya (or equivalent), Zbrush and Substance Painter.
• Basic understanding of game engines and their asset pipelines. (e.g. Unity or Unreal)
• Passion for video games and wanting to contribute to the creation of compelling virtual worlds.
• Have a strong desire to push for self-growth in the professional environment art discipline.

Desirable Skills:

• Good communication and teamwork skills to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Able to proactively seek feedback and ask questions.
• Ability to take and implement feedback in a positive manner.

Why Join Us?

Location State(s)

US-California-Irvine

The expected base pay range for this position in the location(s) listed above is $72,151.56 to $115,900.00 per year. Actual pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Employees hired for this position may be eligible for a sign on payment, relocation package, and restricted stock units, which will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Subject to the terms and conditions of the plans in effect, hired applicants are also eligible for medical, dental, vision, life and disability benefits, and participation in the Company’s 401(k) plan. The Employee is also eligible for up to 15 to 25 days of vacation per year (depending on the employee’s tenure), up to 13 days of holidays throughout the calendar year, and up to 10 days of paid sick leave per year. Your benefits may be adjusted to reflect your location, employment status, duration of employment with the company, and position level. Benefits may also be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.

Equal Employment Opportunity at Tencent

As an equal opportunity employer, we firmly believe that diverse voices fuel our innovation and allow us to better serve our users and the community. We foster an environment where every employee of Tencent feels supported and inspired to achieve individual and common goals.

Who we are

Tencent is a world-leading internet and technology company that develops innovative products and services to improve the quality of life for people around the world.

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Equal Employment Opportunity at Tencent

As an equal opportunity employer, we firmly believe that diverse voices fuel our innovation and allow us to better serve our users and the community. We foster an environment where every employee of Tencent feels supported and inspired to achieve individual and common goals.

Read More