343 Industries, the internal Halo division at Microsoft Game Studios, has several positions open for the art department, including:
Lead Environment Artist
Senior Character Artist
Senior Concept Artist
Animation Director
Motion Capture Specialist
Senior Technical Animator
Other divisions at MGS also have open job positions, you can browse them all and apply online at:
Microsoft Game Studios - Jobs
---
Character Artist-Senior-MGS-343 Industries-Halo
Location: Redmond, WA, US
Character Artist-Senior-MGS-343 Industries-Halo
Job Category: Software Engineering: Creative
Location: United States, WA, Redmond
Job ID: 703891
Product: Xbox Gaming
Division: Entertainment & Devices Division
Microsoft Game Studios' 343 Industries is looking for exceptional art talent to contribute to a new experience in the Halo universe. Teamwork, innovation, attention-to-detail and unbridled passion are characteristics we look for in all of our artists. If you feel you have what it takes, throw your hat in the ring. We are looking for a highly-qualified candidate for the position of Senior Character Artist. The Character Artist will play a significant role in establishing and maintaining the vision for both new and redefined characters. The ideal candidate will be able to work collaboratively with Design, Dev, and Animation to help bring our story alive and push the medium forward.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Work with Lead Artist and Production team to define key milestones
Actively accepts and provides feedback to the character art team
Ability and willingness to work with the Lead Character Artist and Art Director to ensure consistency between vision and implementation of game character assets
Collaborate with Lead Artist and technical teams to develop run-time game character procedures & pipelines
Makes a significant, direct contribution to the creation of character art
Expert understanding of next-gen game character development processes, limitations and dependencies
Excellent communication, time-management and organizational skills.
Task driven, self-motivated, proactive.
Strong interpersonal abilities.
Works well under deadline.
QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS
Art-related degree and/or comparable professional experience
Exceptional visual and technical understanding in sculpting, 3D modeling & texturing (both high- & low-resolution characters)
Experience and/or education in sculpting and drawing organic forms with an emphasis on human, biped and quadruped shapes
Proficient in Maya, 3D Max or XSI
Mudbox or Zbrush proficiency is a must.
Experience with skeleton/rig creation is a plus.
* For PORTFOLIO SUBMISSIONS
Demonstrate ability to create character from concept or reference imagery.
Show an understanding of hi- & low-poly modelling, spline, edge-loop techniques, etc.
Models should be properly weighted and proportioned.
Include samples of figure drawing, maquettes or sculptures.
Please include comparison screenshots and/or turn-table of model in wire frame, AO and final rendered image. Please include software used and poly count where applicable.
---
Concept Artist-Senior-MGS-343 Industries-Halo
Location: Redmond, WA, US
Concept Artist-Senior-MGS-343 Industries-Halo
Job Category: Software Engineering: Creative
Location: United States, WA, Redmond
Job ID: 703889
Product: Xbox Gaming
Division: Entertainment & Devices Division
Microsoft Game Studios' 343 Industries is looking for a sharp eye and a deft hand to help breathe a fresh vision into a new Halo experience. Teamwork, innovation, attention-to-detail and unbridled passion are characteristics we look for in all of our artists. If you are a top talent looking for an exciting, high profile project to challenge you, this is where you need to be.
The Senior Concept Artist is central in establishing the overall vision of the universe, working with the Art Director to create imagery that will communicate the visual experience, excite the team, and help blueprint all the aspects of the game for content authoring. He/she should bring a world class understanding of composition and color, a strong ability to render exciting industrial design, and a firm grasp of the practical aspects of content creation.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Work closely with the Art Director and other Artists to define the look of the project, from global 'broad stroke vision' and mood to its specific, individual pieces.
Develop and maintain a strong understanding of the game universe and the constraints of the technology.
Be proactive about seeking feedback and communication with the Art Director and other relevant departments.
Assist the Art Director and other Senior Concept Artists in providing studio feedback during the course of production.
Provide support to the Art Director in managing external concept art resources.
Participate in portfolio reviews, recruitment interviews, and assisting in finding and retaining talent.
Participate in regular team meetings.
Mentor less-experienced concept artists.
QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS
4+ years of experience in Game or Film concept Art Experience on a triple A title.
A Bachelor's degree or diploma with an emphasis on Art.
An outstanding grasp of human anatomy, animal anatomy, Industrial, and Architectural design coupled with strong traditional art fundamentals.
Exceptional mastery of either Photoshop or Painter.
Ability to work collaboratively - must be open to direction and able to embrace change
Environment Artist-Lead-MGS-343 Industries-Halo
Location: Redmond, WA, US
Environment Artist-Lead-MGS-343 Industries-Halo
Job Category: Software Engineering: Creative
Location: United States, WA, Redmond
Job ID: 702333
Product: Xbox Gaming
Division: Entertainment & Devices Division
Microsoft Game Studios' 343 Industries is looking for a sharp eye and a deft hand to help breathe a fresh vision into a new Halo experience. Teamwork, innovation, attention-to-detail and unbridled passion are characteristics we look for in all of our artists. If you are a top talent looking for an exciting, high profile project to challenge you, this is where you need to be. We are looking for a powerhouse artist to lead the environment team. The Lead Environment artist is key in defining the world and sculpting the players visual experience.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Manage an internal environment art team day-to-day consisting of both full-time and contract artists
Work with Art Director and Production team to define key milestones
Actively accepts and provides direction to the environment art team
Ability and willingness to work with the Creative and Art Directors to ensure consistency between vision and implementation of environment and world assets
Collaborate with technical teams to develop run-time game texture, world object and set design procedures & pipelines
Coordinate the technical and aesthetic environment processes in order to realize the vision
Makes a significant, direct contribution to the creation of the projects environments, objects, and textures.
Demonstrate and communicate clear expectations for quality of work, productivity, communication and professionalism to the environment team
Expert understanding of next-gen game environment development processes, limitations and dependencies
Excellent communication, time-management and organizational skills.
Task driven, self-motivated, proactive.
Strong leadership and interpersonal abilities.
Works well under deadline.
QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS
Art-related degree and/or comparable professional experience
Exceptional visual and technical understanding in sculpting, 3D modeling & texturing (both high- & low-resolution data)
Proficient in Maya, 3D Max or XSI
Mudbox or Zbrush proficiency is a must.
* For PORTFOLIO SUBMISSIONS
Examples of High resolution modelling, both organic and Hard Surface.
Examples of full set design and scene management.
wireframe and isolated renders of relevant models, isolated texture work examples.
Demonstrate understanding of Next Generation texturing and use or normal mapping.
Please include comparison screenshots and/or turn-table of model in wire frame, AO and final rendered image. Please include software used and poly count where applicable.