Prop Artist

The world of Nintendo is built on detail. From the rattling chandeliers in a haunted mansion to the high-tech gadgets on a futuristic soccer pitch, the “props” of a game are what transform a static environment into a living, breathing world. Next Level Games (NLG), a wholly owned subsidiary of Nintendo Co., Ltd., is looking for a versatile and creative Prop Artist/Animator to join our elite development team in Vancouver. This unique hybrid role sits at the heart of our environmental storytelling. We aren’t just looking for someone who can model a chair; we are looking for someone who can model that chair, rig it to break, and animate its debris to fly across the room in a way that feels distinctly “Nintendo.” If you have a passion for the technical side of modeling and the expressive side of animation, this is your chance to make a tangible impact on world-class titles. Job Overview: Prop Artist / Animator Category Specification Company Name Next Level Games (Nintendo Co., Ltd. Subsidiary) Official Job Title Prop Artist / Animator Primary Location Vancouver, BC, Canada (Metro Vancouver residency required) Employment Type Temporary (Project-based contract) Experience Level Mid-Level (3–4 Years) Annual Salary Range $65,000 – $85,000 CAD Primary Software Autodesk Maya Core Skills Modeling, Rigging, Prop Animation, Env Art Who We Are: The Next Level Legacy For over 20 years, Next Level Games has been synonymous with quality, creativity, and a touch of whimsy. Our portfolio includes some of the most beloved entries in the Nintendo catalog, such as Super Mario Strikers, Punch-Out!!, Luigi’s Mansion 3, and Mario Strikers™: Battle League. As part of the Nintendo family, we uphold a “Quality First” philosophy. However, we believe that high-quality games are the byproduct of a high-quality work environment. Our studio culture is rooted in collaboration, inclusivity, and fun. We work hard to ensure every team member feels welcome and empowered to contribute their unique perspective to our shared goals. The Role: What You’ll Be Doing As a Prop Artist/Animator, your mission is to breathe life into the inanimate. You will be a bridge between the Environment Art team and the Animation team, ensuring that every interactive or moving element in our game worlds is aesthetically pleasing and technically sound. 1. Collaborative World Building You will work side-by-side with Level Designers and Environment Artists to dissect the gameplay needs of a specific stage. 2. Full-Spectrum Asset Creation Unlike traditional siloed roles, you will own the entire lifecycle of a prop: 3. Technical Artistry You will use your “technical eye” to inform modeling decisions. By understanding how an object needs to move (rigging/animation), you can preemptively adjust the mesh topology to avoid deformation issues. This proactive approach saves time and ensures a higher level of polish in the final product. 4. Workflow & Pipeline Standards Working in tandem with the Environment Art and Rigging departments, you will help establish and maintain best practices. Your goal is to ensure that the assets you produce are optimized for the game engine and easy for other developers to work with. Who We Are Looking For We need a “hands-on” creator who is as comfortable in a vertex editor as they are in a graph editor. The ideal candidate has a balanced portfolio that showcases both structural modeling and fluid animation. Note: Your application must include a link to your art portfolio or animation reel to be considered. We want to see how you move things! The Compensation & Benefits Package We value the talent our employees bring to the table and provide a comprehensive benefits package to match. Salary & Financial Security Holistic Well-being Studio Culture & Growth At Next Level Games, you aren’t just making a game; you’re making memories for millions of players worldwide. Every prop you animate adds a layer of magic to the Nintendo universe. If you are a mid-level artist looking to take your career to the “Next Level,” we can’t wait to see your reel. Hiring Prop Artist / Animator at Next Level Games Apply now See open roles Also Check Playrix Jobs Explore More Jobs