Senior Cinematic Animator job at Playground Games

Playground Games, a premier first-party Xbox Game Studio, is currently seeking an exceptional Senior Cinematic Animator to join the development team behind the highly anticipated reboot of Fable. This role is a unique opportunity to shape the narrative heart of a genre-defining action RPG, working within a studio renowned for technical excellence and artistic innovation.

Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the role, the studio environment, and the specific requirements for this high-profile position.

Job Overview: Senior Cinematic Animator

*Note: As a contract position, specific day rates or pro-rated salaries are negotiated based on the candidate’s portfolio and depth of AAA experience.

About Playground Games & The Fable Project

Since its inception, Playground Games has established itself as a titan of the industry. Having defined the open-world racing genre with the Forza Horizon series, the studio is now applying its world-class expertise to the fantasy realm.

Joining the Fable team means stepping into a legacy of wit, whimsey, and high-stakes adventure. The studio culture is built on the pillars of accessibility, beauty, and fun. As a first-party studio under the Microsoft/Xbox umbrella, Playground offers the stability of a major publisher combined with the creative agility of a focused development team.

Detailed Job Description: The Mission

As a Senior Cinematic Animator, you are more than just a technician; you are a visual storyteller. You will be responsible for bridging the gap between narrative intent and technical execution. Your primary focus will be the creation of top-tier cutscenes that convey the nuance of character emotion and the kinetic energy of world-class action.

1. Narrative Performance & Technical Fidelity

The core of this role involves handling complex data sets. You will be tasked with capturing, solving, and retargeting both facial and full-body motion capture (mocap) data. In a modern AAA RPG, “good enough” is not the standard. You will polish this data until it achieves a level of “believable performance” that allows players to lose themselves in the story.

2. Creative Vision & Layout

You will drive the creative vision from the earliest stages of previsualization (pre-viz) through to the final “gold” polish. This includes:

• Cinematic Layout: Refining camera angles and character blocking to maximize dramatic impact.

• Pacing & Editing: Ensuring that the flow of a scene supports the narrative beats and keeps the player engaged.

• Iterative Design: Working within a feedback loop with Directors and Leads to sharpen the visual language of the game.

3. Engine Integration

Unlike film animation, game cinematics must exist within a living, breathing engine. You will be responsible for implementing your work into Playground’s proprietary engine. This requires a deep understanding of how cinematic triggers interface with gameplay systems to ensure a seamless transition between “playing” and “watching.”

What You Will Bring as Cinematic Animator (Candidate Requirements)

Playground Games is looking for a veteran of the craft. The ideal candidate doesn’t just know how to move a character; they know why a character moves.

Professional Experience

• Industry Tenure: A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in animation.

• Proven Track Record: At least two (2) published titles, ideally within the AAA space.

• Portfolio Excellence: A world-class portfolio is mandatory. We are looking for high-quality, realistic facial and body animations. Your reel should demonstrate a mastery of weight, silhouette, and emotional nuance.

Technical Proficiencies

• Mocap Mastery: Extensive experience with motion capture cleanup and retargeting for both body and face.

• Hand-Keyed Skills: While mocap is a primary tool, the ability to augment or create entirely hand-keyed performances for stylized or “bespoke” moments is essential.

• Software Expertise: Proficiency in industry-standard tools (typically Maya or MotionBuilder).

• Cinematography Knowledge: A strong eye for camera lenses, lighting, and composition will set you apart from other candidates.

Soft Skills & Cultural Fit

• Collaborative Mindset: You will be working in a cross-disciplinary environment. The ability to take constructive criticism and pivot quickly is vital.

• Passion for Gaming: A genuine love for the medium and the RPG genre specifically.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Statistics & Commitment

Playground Games is an equal-opportunity employer. The studio believes that a diverse workforce leads to more creative and innovative games. In the UK games industry, diversity has become a central focus of growth.

Industry Context (UK Games Industry Statistics):

According to the 2024 UK Games Industry Census, the sector is making strides in representation, though work remains:

• Gender: Approximately 30% of the workforce identifies as female, with a growing percentage of non-binary professionals (3%).

• Ethnicity: Roughly 11% of the workforce comes from Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic backgrounds.

• Neurodiversity: The industry has a high representation of neurodivergent individuals, with approximately 18% of workers identifying as such.

Playground Games actively participates in initiatives to bridge these gaps, ensuring that recruitment is based on merit while fostering an environment where different perspectives are celebrated. We are committed to equity across all protected characteristics, including age, disability, gender identity, race, and religion.

Benefits of Joining Playground Games

1. State-of-the-Art Facilities: Work in Royal Leamington Spa, a historic “Silicon Spa” hub for game development in the UK.

2. Hybrid Flexibility: Balance your professional and personal life with a model that supports both in-office collaboration and remote focus.

3. Career Progression: Despite being a contract role, Playground is invested in the self-development and retention of talent. You will be working alongside some of the best minds in the industry.

4. Relocation Support: For those moving from abroad or within the UK, the studio offers comprehensive assistance to ensure a smooth transition.

The Application Process

To be considered for this role, candidates must provide:

• A comprehensive CV detailing your history in the industry.

• A link to an online Portfolio/Showreel (please include passwords if the site is protected).

• A brief cover letter outlining your experience with proprietary engines and your interest in the Fable franchise.

If you require any reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, Playground Games encourages you to reach out to the recruitment team at

recruitment@playground-games.com.

Summary of Important Details

• Location: Royal Leamington Spa (Hybrid).

• Focus: Realistic facial and body animation for high-fidelity cutscenes.

• Culture: Inclusive, collaborative, and excellence-driven.

• Project Impact: High. You will be a key contributor to one of Xbox’s most important upcoming releases.