Character Artist - EA Sports NHL

EA SPORTS is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world, with top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, fan programs, and cross-platform digital experiences. EA SPORTS creates connected experiences that ignite the emotion of sport through industry-leading sports video games, including Madden NFL football, FC soccer, NHL® hockey, and EA SPORTS UFC.

The EA SPORTS ART team is a global community of content creators covering Characters, Environments, Lighting, Project Management, Technical Art, and Visual Effects. Fueled by imagination and a unified passion to grow the love of sports for players worldwide, we push visual boundaries and create leading edge content. Serving our broad portfolio of sports titles, we create amazing games for hundreds of millions of sports fans worldwide through inspiring visuals and immersive experiences. We are a diverse group that encourages team members to bring their unique perspectives and expertise to the table.

Your Responsibilities

The character artist is an important role in top-tier video game creation. In the context of our games, they create the cast of characters that populate the game universe. Our character artists are dynamic and efficient modelers with sculpting and texturing skills – able to create outstanding content with an imagination that is constantly in motion. We create amazing character models based on scan data, photo references or traditional 3d means.

Committed to supporting our games with the creation of amazing Content, the EA Sports Art Characters team enriches players' experience with a cast of characters and variety of character accessories such full body outfits, hair and headgear. You will report to the project Development Manager or Development Director.

Your Qualifications

• Experienced with 1+ year of industry character creation production

• Experience in high-fidelity 3D modeling / sculpting techniques, along with high-poly to low-poly surface/detail baking.

• Experience in Maya, Z-Brush and Photoshop.

• Experience in physical materials and how to replicate them in CG.

• Knowledgeable of PBR texture / material workflows.

• Experience with your ability to author photo-realistic textures (Substance Painter / Designer experience is a plus).

• Experienced in working with content-driven game engines (e.g. Unreal, Frostbite, Unity).

• Visualize in three-dimensions and work from limited reference material / concept art

• Experienced in creating game resolution topology with considerations for deformation and rigging.

• Knowledgeable in the creation of cloth and clothing and how you should match the character style.

• Expert in high-fidelity 3D modeling / sculpting techniques, along with high-poly to low-poly surface/detail baking.

• Efficient in use of UV layout, and ability to edit for highest visual payoff.

Portfolio Requirements:

• Photo-real character modeling and texturing – hair, clothing, anatomy, and likeness. showing UV layout and all maps.

• Concept to model experience is a plus.

BC COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The base salary ranges listed below are for the defined geographic market pay zones in these locations. If you reside outside of these locations, a recruiter will advise on the base salary range and benefits for your specific location.

EA has listed the base salary ranges it in good faith expects to pay applicants for this role in the locations listed, as of the time of this posting. Salary offered will be determined based on numerous relevant business and candidate factors including, for example, education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and business or organizational needs.

BASE SALARY RANGES

• British Columbia (depending on location e.g. Vancouver vs. Victoria): º $89,300 - $123,000 CAN Annually

Base salary is just one part of the overall compensation at EA. We also offer a package of benefits including vacation (3 weeks per year to start), 10 days per year of sick time, paid top-up to EI/QPIP benefits up to 100% of base salary when you welcome a new child (12 weeks for maternity, and 4 weeks for parental/adoption leave), extended health/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.

About Electronic Arts

We’re proud to have an extensive portfolio of games and experiences, locations around the world, and opportunities across EA. We value adaptability, resilience, creativity, and curiosity. From leadership that brings out your potential, to creating space for learning and experimenting, we empower you to do great work and pursue opportunities for growth.

We take a holistic approach with our benefits program, focusing on physical, emotional, financial, career, and community wellness to support a balanced life with paid time off and new parent leave, plus free games and so much more. We nurture environments where our teams can always bring their best to what they do.

Electronic Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will also consider employment qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law. EA also makes workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law.