Climax Studios stands as a pillar of the UK games industry. With a rich history spanning over three decades, we have evolved alongside the medium, winning numerous awards and delivering world-class digital experiences across every major format. Our studio is more than just a workplace; it is a creative sanctuary located in the heart of Liverpool’s iconic Albert Dock. Working from our state-of-the-art facility, you will overlook the historic harbor while collaborating with some of the most talented minds in game development.
We are currently seeking an onsite Character Artist to join our dedicated art team. This role is for an artist who lives and breathes character creation—someone who understands that a great character is not just a collection of polygons, but a vessel for storytelling. If you have the technical discipline to build clean, optimized geometry and the artistic vision to bring unique personalities to life, we want to see your portfolio.
Role Overview : Climax Studios
| Category | Details |
| Company Name | Climax Studios (Keywords Studios) |
| Job Title | Character Artist |
| Job Type | Permanent, Full-Time |
| Location | On-site: Liverpool, England, United Kingdom |
| Salary Range | Competitive (Based on experience and portfolio) |
| Required Tools | Maya, ZBrush, Photoshop |
| Experience Level | Mid-to-Senior (Industry experience + 1 Shipped Title) |
| Working Pattern | Full-Time, Onsite |
Detailed Job Description
As a Character Artist at Climax Studios, you will be at the forefront of our visual storytelling. You won’t just be “making models”; you will be conceptualizing, sculpting, and texturing the protagonists, villains, and citizens of our game worlds. We are looking for an artist who can demonstrate “creative flare” while remaining grounded in the core fundamentals of character production.
Your work will serve as a primary point of connection between the player and the game. Therefore, we require someone who can blend anatomical precision with a keen eye for form, shape, and composition. Whether you are working on hyper-realistic humans, fantastical creatures, or hard-surface robotic entities, your goal is to deliver assets that are both visually breathtaking and technically flawless.
Key Responsibilities
- Character Production: Sculpt high-fidelity character models in ZBrush and create optimized, game-ready low-poly versions with clean, animation-friendly topology.
- Texturing & Shaders: Develop complex PBR textures and materials that bring out the fine details of skin, fabric, and metal.
- Storytelling through Art: Use your wealth of experience to inject history and narrative into character designs through subtle details like wear, tear, and personality-driven silhouettes.
- Technical Implementation: Work within Unreal Engine 4/5 to set up materials, monitor asset performance, and ensure that character models integrate perfectly with lighting and environment systems.
- Specialized Authoring: Utilize Marvelous Designer for realistic cloth simulation and manage hair authoring pipelines using both strand-based techniques and hair cards.
- Collaboration: Partner with the rigging and animation teams to ensure that geometry deforms correctly, specifically regarding facial blendshapes and wrinkle maps.
Candidate Requirements
Technical Skills & Experience
- Industry Experience: A number of years working professionally as a Character Artist in the games industry, with at least one published title to your credit.
- Software Mastery: A deep, professional-level understanding of Autodesk Maya and ZBrush, supported by a strong foundation in Adobe Photoshop.
- Anatomical Knowledge: An expert understanding of human and animal anatomy, including how muscles and bone structures influence external form and movement.
- Technical Proficiency: Proven ability to produce solid topology (loops for animation), efficient UV layouts, and high-quality bakes.
- Portfolio Excellence: A folio that demonstrates flexibility—showing you can handle different styles while maintaining a high standard of “fun” and aesthetic appeal.
Desirable “Bonus” Skills
- Engine Knowledge: Hands-on experience with Unreal Engine 4 or 5, particularly in character blueprints and material editors.
- Specialized Pipelines: Familiarity with Marvelous Designer for clothing and experience working with 3D scan development pipelines.
- Technical Detail: Experience creating facial blendshapes and implementing wrinkle maps to enhance emotional performance.
- Hard Surface Skills: Ability to create high-quality hard-surface assets, such as armor, weapons, or mechanical character parts.
- Hair & Grooming: Advanced experience in hair authoring, covering both full strand-based grooms and optimized hair card techniques.
Life at Climax Studios: Benefits & Perks
We believe that the best work comes from a team that feels supported, inspired, and connected. At Climax, we invest in our people through a comprehensive benefits package and a vibrant studio culture.
Support for Your Well-being
- Health & Dental: We provide Group Private Medical Insurance via BUPA, along with Private Dental Insurance and Eye-Care vouchers.
- Financial Protection: Peace of mind with Group Life Insurance, Income Protection, and a robust Company Pension Scheme.
- Mental Health: Access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support you through life’s challenges.
- Commuting: Stay active and save on your commute with our Cycle to Work Scheme.
A Thriving Social Culture
- In-House Clubs: We are a studio of enthusiasts. Join our clubs for board games, D&D nights, tennis, or football.
- Regular Events: We celebrate our successes with Project Wrap Parties, team-building days, and annual Christmas and Summer parties.
- Community: We are proud to organize charity fundraising events, fostering a sense of purpose beyond game development.
- The Location: Working at the Albert Dock means you are steps away from the Tate Liverpool, the Maritime Museum, and a plethora of independent cafes and world-class restaurants.
Career Growth
- Training & Development: We offer ongoing training and personalized development plans to help you stay at the cutting edge of industry technology.
- Progression: We value long-term partnerships. Many of our senior leaders started as juniors or mid-level artists within the studio.
To be considered for this role, we require a complete application package. Because this is an art-focused role, we cannot assess your suitability without a visual representation of your skills.
Please include the following in your application:
- Updated CV: Highlighting your professional history and shipped titles.
- Cover Letter: Tell us about your passion for character art and why you want to join the team at Climax Studios.
- Portfolio Link: (Mandatory) A link to your website, ArtStation, or portfolio. We are looking for examples of clean geometry, beautifully constructed textures, and a strong sense of form.
Equal Opportunities: Keywords Studios is dedicated to following a well-established Equal Opportunities Policy. We endeavor to create a workplace which provides for equal opportunities for all employees and potential employees.
Data Protection: Keywords Studios is strongly committed to protecting your personal information. By sending your CV/Resume, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and consent to your data being managed and retained in accordance with our data privacy and retention policy.
Final Thoughts
At Climax Studios, we don’t just build games; we build legacies. If you are an artist who loves the craft, enjoys the process of iteration, and wants to see your characters come to life in AAA digital experiences, we look forward to seeing your work.
Climax Studios hiring 3D Character Artist (Mid-Senior)
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