#JOINTHEREBELLION! For 30 years, Rebellion has remained a fiercely independent powerhouse in the global games industry. Founded by Jason and Chris Kingsley, we have grown into more than just a game developer; we are a multi-media empire. From our own film studios and board game divisions to publishing iconic graphic novels like Judge Dredd through 2000AD, Rebellion is a place where creativity knows no bounds.
Rebellion is currently seeking an experienced and visionary Senior Character Artist to join our Art Department in Oxford. You will be a cornerstone of the team developing an unannounced 3rd-person tactical shooter. This role is for a craftsman who understands that a great character is not just a collection of polygons, but a credible entity with psychological depth, functional gear, and anatomical accuracy.
Executive Position Summary
| Category | Details |
| Company Name | Rebellion |
| Project Type | Unannounced AAA 3rd-Person Tactical Shooter |
| Job Type | Full-Time, Permanent |
| Location | Oxford, England, United Kingdom (Riverside HQ) |
| Work Model | On-site |
| Salary Range | £55,000 – £75,000 per annum (Estimated based on UK senior benchmarks) |
| Relocation | Full Package (Moving assistance, temporary housing, and support) |
| Right to Work | Permanent UK Work Authorization Required (No sponsorship provided) |
The Mission: Defining the Modern Soldier
In a tactical shooter, the character is the player’s primary interface with the world. Every buckle on a tactical vest, every strand of hair, and the way light catches a character’s eyes contributes to the immersion. As a Senior Character Artist, you will play a key role in producing high-quality models that push the boundaries of realism while respecting the strict technical constraints of a high-performance shooter.
You won’t just be “making models.” You will be analyzing the character list to understand their combat roles and psychological profiles. Your goal is to create characters that feel “lived-in”—soldiers who have seen battle, whose gear shows wear and tear, and whose expressions carry the weight of the mission.
Key Responsibilities
1. High-Fidelity Character Production
- End-to-End Creation: Produce high-quality character models in their entirety, from initial high-poly sculpts to the final in-engine asset, ensuring strict adherence to the provided concept art.
- Psychological Credibility: Move beyond aesthetic appeal to create characters that reflect their actions and personality within the game’s narrative.
- Asset Variety: Create additional character assets including complex hair systems, tactical accessories, modular armor sets, and weaponry.
2. Technical Integration & Optimization
- AAA Performance: Deliver clean, optimized low-polygon models and efficient UV layouts that maximize texture density without compromising engine performance.
- Collaboration with Tech Anim: Provide primary models to technical animators early in the cycle to facilitate rigging, skinning, and first gameplay intention testing.
- Engine Polish: Conduct texture touch-ups and material adjustments after engine integration to optimize final visual quality under various lighting conditions.
3. Leadership & External Partnerships
- Outsourcing Management: Work closely with external outsource companies to provide comprehensive asset packs and deliver detailed, constructive feedback to ensure their work matches Rebellion’s internal quality bar.
- Mentorship: Support the Lead Character Artist in ad hoc tasks and take a proactive role in mentoring junior and mid-level artists, sharing your knowledge of the pipeline.
Technical Requirements & Qualifications
We are looking for a veteran artist who has shipped AAA titles and possesses a deep technical understanding of the character art pipeline.
Core Essentials:
- The Portfolio: An exceptional portfolio showcasing realistic characters. We need to see clear breakdowns covering all stages: high-poly (ZBrush), low-poly (Maya/Blender), UVs, baking (Marmoset/Substance), texturing, and final presentation in a modern game engine.
- Marvelous Designer Mastery: Solid knowledge of the cloth simulation pipeline. You should be able to demonstrate a realistic understanding of how fabric folds, bunches, and reacts to tactical gear.
- Real-Time Hair: Strong experience in creating realistic real-time hair (hair cards or similar tech) for both male and female characters.
- Anatomical Expertise: An expert-level understanding of human anatomy, including skeletal structure, muscle deformation, and how joints move during tactical maneuvers.
- Optimization: A deep understanding of character budgets (poly counts, draw calls, and texture memory) for AAA projects.
Desirable Skills (The “Pluses”):
- Scanning Pipelines: Knowledge of photogrammetry and scanning pipelines for heads, clothing, and props.
- Software Versatility: Comfort using Blender for day-to-day production tasks is a significant advantage.
- Engine Experience: Direct experience working within Unreal Engine, Unity, or CryEngine.
- Rigging/Skinning: A solid understanding of the technical side of rigging for both humans and creatures.
- FACS: Knowledge of the Facial Action Coding System and experience in creating high-quality blendshapes for facial animation.
Benefits & Rebellion Life
We believe that a healthy, happy artist is a creative artist. Our benefits package is designed to support your physical, mental, and financial well-being.
- Generous Leave: 22 days holiday plus a dedicated Christmas closure (typically 4 days) and all Bank Holidays. This increases annually after 5 years of service up to 31 days.
- Comprehensive Healthcare: Private Medical Insurance, a healthcare cash plan (including dental and vision), and life assurance.
- Financial Support: Income protection, critical illness cover, interest-free/tax-free loans, and an enhanced pension scheme.
- Family & Wellbeing: Enhanced family leave and an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing mental health and wellbeing support.
- The Oxford HQ Experience: Our riverside office is a short walk from the historic Oxford city center. We offer free parking, free hot drinks, an on-site tuck shop, and regular social events.
Life in Oxford
Working at our Oxford HQ places you in one of the world’s most famous cities. Renowned for its stunning architecture and prestigious history, Oxford offers a unique blend of traditional charm and modern innovation.
- Commuting: The studio is just a short walk from the Oxford train station, providing easy access to London (under an hour), Birmingham, and Manchester.
- Lifestyle: Enjoy riverside walks during lunch, explore local pubs and cafes, or take in the green spaces that make Oxford a beautiful place to live and work.
Inside Rebellion: Our Culture
As a large independent developer, Rebellion enjoys complete creative freedom. We aren’t beholden to external publishers, which means we work on projects we are truly passionate about. Our atmosphere is open, friendly, and relaxed, with sensibly managed projects that prioritize a healthy work-life balance.
We are actively recruiting for a diverse team. We believe that a representative team makes better products and we encourage innovation in all areas. Whether you are a veteran of the industry or a rising star with the right technical skills, Rebellion is a place where you are encouraged to be yourself and express your unique talent.
Application Guidelines
To be considered for this role, please ensure your application includes:
1. A Detailed Resume: Outlining your experience in AAA character production.
2. Portfolio Link: Highlighting your best realistic character work. Note: Applications without a portfolio will not be reviewed.
3. Breakdowns: Please include technical breakdowns (wireframes, texture sets, high-poly sculpts) to demonstrate your process.
Rebellion is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We look forward to seeing how your creativity can help us define the future of tactical shooters.
