3D Character Artist

6 days ago

Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand Side Full time NZ$20,000 - NZ$80,000 per year

About Side

Side (formerly PTW) is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and creative solutions to many of the largest developers and studios around the world. Founded in 2009 and drawing on 30+ years' experience from our parent company in Japan, Side has since grown to become a global force with 20 studios in 14 countries across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia. 

Our industry-leading services include game development, art production, audio production, quality assurance, localization, localization QA, player support, community management, and datasets. 

Help us bring stories to the world Join a global team of passionate gamers and contribute to delivering unforgettable game experiences.   

Experience our side of life. For more information, visit  

About This Opportunity

Please note, this listing is not for an immediate open position but for our Talent Pool for Co-Development Roles. By applying, you express interest in being considered for future project-based opportunities that align with your skills and experience.

These opportunities are contingent on client needs and project availability. As projects are initiated or client proposals are developed, we will review candidates from this pool and contact those who most closely align with the specific requirements of the co-development opportunity.

As a 3D Character Artist, you will play a key role in crafting high-quality characters that bring life and personality to our projects. This mid-level generalist role focuses on modeling, texturing, and optimizing character assets across a variety of styles for AAA-quality games on PC, console, mobile, and VR/AR platforms.

How We Keep You Engaged

We maintain strong relationships with our talent pool by providing regular updates, industry insights, and information on upcoming opportunities. We will check in to confirm your availability and interest.

Our hiring teams carefully vet and select top candidates who best meet project needs, ensuring that you are matched with the right opportunity when it becomes available.

Next Steps

If you are passionate about contributing to cutting-edge projects and want to be considered for future co-development opportunities, we encourage you to apply to this listing. While there may not be an immediate opening, your application ensures that you will be part of our ongoing talent review for upcoming roles.

Key Responsibilities

  • Create high-quality 3D character assets, including organic and hard surface elements, from concept to final game-ready models.
  • Collaborate with art leads, designers, and animators to ensure characters align with the project's artistic vision and technical requirements.
  • Develop textures and materials using industry-standard tools, ensuring assets are optimized for performance across platforms.
  • Work within established pipelines and workflows to maintain consistency and efficiency in asset creation.
  • Ensure proper topology, rigging, and skinning for characters to meet animation and gameplay requirements.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges related to character development.
  • Actively participate in team critiques, offering and receiving feedback to refine assets.

Requirements

Experience:

  • 3+ years of experience as a Character Artist in the video game industry.
  • Demonstrated contribution to at least one shipped title on PC, console, mobile, or VR/AR.

Technical Skills:

  • Proficiency with ZBrush, Maya, 3ds Max, Substance Painter, Photoshop, and other industry-standard tools.
  • Strong understanding of anatomy, proportion, weight, and volume as they relate to character design and animation.
  • Experience with high- and low-poly modeling, texturing, and shading techniques.
  • Knowledge of proper topology, rigging, and skinning practices.

Artistic Skills:

  • Strong eye for detail, form, and style consistency.
  • Ability to adapt to and create a range of visual styles, from realistic to stylized.

Collaboration Skills:

  • Effective communication and teamwork abilities.
  • Ability to incorporate feedback and iterate effectively.

Passion for Gaming: Genuine enthusiasm for creating compelling characters and contributing to immersive game worlds.

Preferred Skills

  • Familiarity with Marvelous Designer for clothing design and simulation.
  • Experience with photogrammetry and procedural workflows.
  • Knowledge of Unreal Engine or Unity for integrating character assets into the game.

Note: Specific requirements may vary depending on project needs.

  • Character Concept Artist

    6 days ago

    Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand Side Full time NZ$800,000 - NZ$1,100,000 per year

    Side is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and creative solutions to many of the largest developers and studios around the world. Founded in Japan in 1994, Side has grown to become a global force in the video game industry, with over 40 studios in 15 countries worldwide and offices across North America, Europe, South...

  • 3D Environment Artist

    6 days ago

    Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand Side Full time NZ$80,000 - NZ$120,000 per year

    Side is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and creative solutions to many of the largest developers and studios around the world. Founded in Japan in 1994, Side has grown to become a global force in the video game industry, with over 40 studios in 15 countries worldwide and offices across North America, Europe, South...

  • Junior Compositing Artist

    6 days ago

    Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand CAUSE AND FX Full time NZ$60,000 - NZ$120,000 per year

    This is a 12 Month Fixed Term Contract.Rate: $30/hr.Hours: 40hrs per week.About UsCause and FX has rapidly established itself as one of New Zealand's foremost independent VFX studios, renowned for its vibrant environment and dedicated artists who consistently deliver exceptional work. We embrace innovation and state-of-the-art technologies while nurturing...

  • Concept Artist Environment/Props

    4 days ago

    Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand Side Full time NZ$60,000 - NZ$90,000 per year

    Side is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and creative solutions to many of the largest developers and studios around the world. Founded in Japan in 1994, Side has grown to become a global force in the video game industry, with over 40 studios in 15 countries worldwide and offices across North America, Europe, South...

  • Tech & VFX Artist - Talent Pool (APAC)

    6 days ago

    Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand Side Full time NZ$90,000 - NZ$120,000 per year

    Side is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and creative solutions to many of the largest developers and studios around the world. Founded in Japan in 1994, Side has grown to become a global force in the video game industry, with over 40 studios in 15 countries worldwide and offices across North America, Europe, South...

  • Animation / Technical Animator - Talent Pool (APAC)

    4 days ago

    Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand Side Full time NZ$80,000 - NZ$240,000 per year

    Side is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and creative solutions to many of the largest developers and studios around the world. Founded in Japan in 1994, Side has grown to become a global force in the video game industry, with over 40 studios in 15 countries worldwide and offices across North America, Europe, South...

  • Jr – Intermediate Motion Designer

    6 days ago

    Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand Good Bandit Full time NZ$60,000 - NZ$80,000 per year

    Job Title:Jr–Intermediate Motion Designer/Animator (Freelance/Contract)Location:Auckland (hybrid options available)Project Duration:November - December 2025Employment Type:Freelance / ContractAbout the RoleWe're looking for aJr–Intermediate Motion Designerto join us who's comfortable animating from prepped illustration files (no illustration or design...

  • Audio Designer

    4 days ago

    Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand Side Full time NZ$60,000 - NZ$120,000 per year

    Side is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and creative solutions to many of the largest developers and studios around the world. Founded in Japan in 1994, Side has grown to become a global force in the video game industry, with over 40 studios in 15 countries worldwide and offices across North America, Europe, South...

  • 3D Unreal Artist

    6 days ago

    Auckland City, New Zealand The Boundary Full time

    The role of the 3D Unreal Artist is to use the latest gaming technology to create interactive real-time visualisations of unbuilt architecture, master plans and city-scape digital twins. The primary clients are in the Real Estate, Hospitality, eCommerce and Digital Twin Sectors. - Plan and produce appealing real-time visualisations from client supplied...

  • 3D Unreal Artist

    12 hours ago

    Auckland City, New Zealand The Boundary Full time

    **Your Focus** Our vision at The Boundary is to build an enduring & aspirational company that inspires creativity, pushes boundaries & becomes a pinnacle for others to aspire to. Your focus in the role of the 3D Unreal Artist is to use the latest gaming technology to create interactive real-time visualisations of unbuilt architecture, master plans and...

  • Technical Artist

    1 week ago

    Auckland City, New Zealand RocketWerkz Studios Ltd Full time

    Help build the foundations of a fantasy world. **We're looking for an experienced technical expert for the visual pipeline - someone who can help a team to make their graphics shine in Unreal Engine 4.** In this role you will be expected to: - **Troubleshoot**: - Work with other artists to optimize their assets to work well and look great within Unreal...

  • Expressions of Interest

    4 days ago

    Auckland, AUK, New Zealand RocketWerkz Studios Full time NZ$60,000 - NZ$120,000 per year

    Job description RocketWerkz is an ambitious studio based on Auckland's waterfront (but with flexible and remote working). Founded by Dean Hall, creator of hit survival game DayZ, we are independently-run but have the backing of one of the world's largest games companies. Our two major games currently out on Steam are Icarus and Stationeers, with multiple...

  • Web Developer

    12 hours ago

    Auckland City, New Zealand The Creative Store Full time

    Are you a full-stack Web Developer looking for new challenges? Wanting to join an award-winning agency focusing on cutting-edge real-time and web technologies? Looking for true career progression and learning opportunities? Our client is looking for a full-time Intermediate Web Developer to join their award-winning team of 3d artists, programmers &...

  • Creative Technologist New Zealand

    2 days ago

    Auckland City, New Zealand disguise Full time

    disguise sits at the heart of the most inspiring live and virtual experiences in the world, leading the market in building a software and hardware solution that designs, sequences and controls the most spectacular productions across film and TV, broadcast, live and corporate events. **The Role** The Creative Technologist reports to the Head of Labs and...

  • Creative Technologist

    2 days ago

    Auckland City, New Zealand Disguise Technologies Ltd Full time

    disguise sits at the heart of the most inspiring live and virtual experiences in the world, leading the market in building a software and hardware solution that designs, sequences and controls the most spectacular productions across film and TV, broadcast, live and corporate events. **The Role** The Creative Technologist reports to the Head of Labs and...

  • Consultant, Computational Design

    2 weeks ago

    Auckland City, New Zealand Aurecon Group Full time

    Based in Auckland/Wellington What will you do? You’ll be joining a multidisciplinary team of computational designers, 3D modellers, visualization artists and software developers and working together to change the way we design and deliver engineering projects. Computational Designers are integral to the continued growth of digital at Aurecon as we...

  • Yoobee - Bachelor of Animation Tutor

    12 hours ago

    Auckland City, New Zealand UP Education Full time

    Rare opportunity to join a team that prides itself in making a meaningful difference to the lives of students and their communities!_ - _Work with a collaborative and supportive team_ - _Exciting and ever-changing environment_ - _Strong commitment to your growth & development_ **About the role**: An amazing opportunity to join our growing Auckland City Road...

  • Animation Lecturer

    6 days ago

    Auckland City, New Zealand Yoobee Colleges Full time NZ$60,000 - NZ$90,000 per year

    Company DescriptionAt Yoobee Colleges, we believe learning should be defined by the exceptional. New Zealand's largest specialist creative and technology college; we've been fuelling the creative and tech industries for over 30 years with talented Animators, Filmmakers, Designers, Techies, and Game Developers. We offer online delivery, alongside our campuses...