Animator – Gameplay, Motion Matching

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Germany.

📋 Description

• Develop and enhance player locomotion and traversal systems utilizing GASP through motion matching, Pose Search databases, Choosers, and the Mover-based character configuration.

• Revise, refine, and adapt animation packs from Fab and other sources for improved quality.

• Address foot sliding, pops, and contact issues; adjust timing and weight for better realism.

• Retarget and prepare animation data for skeletons and characters, focusing on curves, root motion, and motion-matching metadata.

• Design and polish authentic gameplay animations for various interactions, including gathering, crafting, melee and ranged combat, hit reactions, injuries, and deaths.

• Create realistic zombie animation sets that encompass locomotion, attacks, hit reactions, staggers, falls, and recoveries.

• Incorporate physics-based animation techniques, including ragdolls, physical hit reactions, and motion-matched recoveries.

• Utilize Control Rig and in-engine tools for fixes, layering, and procedural adjustments.

• Ensure animation performance is optimized for a large open world through LODs, animation budgeting, and sensible database management.

• Collaborate with Technical Animation, Gameplay Programming, and Technical Art teams.

• Troubleshoot and resolve visual, technical, and production challenges.

⛳️ Requirements

• Prior experience in professional game development projects.

• Practical experience with motion matching in Unreal Engine, preferably with GASP, including the creation and debugging of Pose Search databases.

• Demonstrated ability to rework and integrate third-party animations to maintain a consistent quality standard.

• Strong understanding of realistic human motion, including weight, balance, momentum, and timing.

• Comprehensive experience in motion capture cleanup and editing processes.

• Proficient in Maya, MotionBuilder, or Blender.

• A reel and/or portfolio showcasing in-game results is required.

• Sound knowledge of retargeting, root motion, and the Unreal animation pipeline, including Animation Blueprints, Choosers, Blend Spaces, and Montages.

• Capability to address issues from visual, technical, and production perspectives.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

• A link to your Steam profile is appreciated.

• Experience with Control Rig and in-engine animation authoring is advantageous.

• Familiarity with physics-based animation is a plus.

• Experience in creature or zombie animation is a bonus.

• Knowledge of multiplayer animation is an advantage.

• Experience in setting up animations for multiple AI characters simultaneously is a bonus.

• Experience working on open world games is a plus.

• Background in indie or small team environments is beneficial.

🏝️ Benefits

• Permanent employment.

• 40 hours per week.

• 25 days of annual leave.

• Fully remote work opportunity.

• Freelance options available, with full-time opportunities for candidates located in Germany.

• Flexible working hours.

• High levels of ownership and creative freedom.

• Work with the latest UE5 animation technology, including motion matching, Choosers, and physics-based animation.