Are you a master of the digital clay? Do you find joy in sculpting everything from the menacing silhouette of a dragon to the intricate stitching on a hero’s gauntlet? Jagex, the home of the legendary RuneScape franchise, is looking for a Character Artist to help build the next era of our universe: RuneScape: Dragonwilds.
As we expand Gielinor into a broader ecosystem of “forever games,” we need artists who can bridge the gap between stylized charm and modern technical excellence. Based in our headquarters in Cambridge, UK, this role offers the perfect balance of creative autonomy and the stability of a world-renowned studio.
About Jagex & RuneScape: Dragonwilds
For 25 years, Jagex has been a pioneer in community-driven gaming. Our flagship franchise has welcomed over 300 million players, and as we move into 2026, we are bolder than ever.
RuneScape: Dragonwilds represents a major evolution for the brand—a survival-crafting adventure that takes players to the untamed continent of Ashenfall. This is not just “another MMO”; it is a multi-genre experience built on integrity, fair play, and high-fidelity stylized art. By joining this project, you are helping define the visual language of RuneScape’s most ambitious chapter yet.
Your Mission as a Character Artist
In this role, your daily production will be as varied as the world of Gielinor itself. You won’t just be focused on humanoids; you will be the architect of an entire ecosystem.
1. End-to-End Character Creation
You will take responsibility for every facet of a character asset. This includes high-fidelity sculpting in ZBrush, retopology for game-ready performance, and texturing using a PBR (Physically Based Rendering) pipeline. Your work will span:
Player Outfits: From humble starter rags to legendary endgame armor.
Weapons & Props: Ensuring that every sword, staff, and shield feels weighted and integrated.
NPC Creatures: Designing and modeling monsters of all shapes and sizes, from classic goblins to massive, fearsome dragons.
2. Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration
Great characters aren’t made in a vacuum. You will work hand-in-hand with Concept Artists to translate 2D visions into 3D reality, and with Animators/Riggers to ensure your mesh flow allows for expressive, fluid movement. You are expected to be a “solution-focused” team player, identifying technical hurdles early and iterating based on feedback.
3. Stylized Excellence
While we use a PBR pipeline, our heart remains stylized. You must have a keen eye for art fundamentals—shape, silhouette, and color—to ensure that even the most complex monsters feel like they belong in the RuneScape universe.
Requirements & Experience
Jagex is looking for a blend of artistic flair and technical discipline. To be considered, you should demonstrate:
Portfolio Excellence: A portfolio that showcases strong sculpting (ZBrush) and texturing (Substance Painter) skills specifically within a stylized PBR pipeline.
Technical Proficiency: * Mastery of Maya for modeling and UV layout.
Game-Ready Workflows: Demonstrated ability to create assets with efficient mesh flow (suitable for rigging) and optimized UVs.
Industry Track Record: You must have worked on at least one released title (PC, Console, or high-end Mobile).
Self-Management: The ability to prioritize your own schedule and deliver high-quality assets within production deadlines.
Perks & Benefits
Jagex believes that happy creators make better games. When you join us in Cambridge, you’ll enjoy a package designed to support your life inside and outside the studio:
Health & Wellbeing: Private Healthcare, including a Dental Plan and onsite counseling services.
Financial Security: Life Insurance and a minimum 6% Pension contribution, plus a discretionary annual performance bonus.
Work-Life Balance: 25 days of annual leave (plus Bank Holidays and the option to buy/sell days). We also offer flexible working hours and enhanced family leave from Day 1.
The “Jagex Experience”: A collaborative, inclusive environment where we “Embrace Fellowship” and “Hone our Craft” through constant learning.
Why Join Us Now?
Jagex is at a turning point. With Dragonwilds entering a critical phase of its development, your artistic contributions will be visible to millions of players worldwide. We value autonomy and trust, giving you the space to do your best work while supported by a team of industry veterans.
