Environment Artist

Environment Artist - 7 month contract

We’re Criterion, and we love making games!

Over the last fifteen years we’ve entertained millions of players around the world with our award-winning games. From Burnout & Need for Speed to the critically acclaimed VR mission for Star Wars Battlefront, to our most recent work on amazing arcade and space experiences on Star Wars Battlefront II. Criterion have always pushed the boundaries, delivering through technical excellence, world-class game feel and AAA audiovisual quality.

We place enormous value on creative collaboration, fresh ideas, and unique perspectives. Our studio is a healthy mix of industry veterans and newcomers working together to inspire, support, and educate one another. We encourage free experimentation, innovation and exploration very explicitly with regular “off-the-grid” time.

Criterion don’t put people in boxes. Folks here have freedom to navigate their careers the way their hearts take them – we’re not big on labels. Our features are built by teams who choose to work together, actively encouraging cross-discipline crack squads to solve the toughest problems.

The working day has space carved out for everyone to play games – by themselves or together, be they tabletop or videogames, we love them all. Learning from the widest range of experiences makes our own games better.

Over the years, we’ve learned that crunching is flat-out stupid, so we don’t do it.

The Challenge Ahead:

Criterion are embarking on their most ambitious projects to date, partnering with DICE and pushing the boundaries with our own brand new IP.

We are growing our team with fresh, talented people who can help us take a huge leap forwards.

We are looking for creative, collaborative and passionate people to help us build great-looking worlds. We are always involved with many projects across EA and having a blast developing our own IP. Most recently we have been diving into the worlds of VR and Star Wars, two exciting new opportunities for the studio. But now we are working on something new, this means we need world-class artists who can produce high quality, breath-taking environments built for the most rewarding experiences.

What an Environment Artist does at Criterion:

As a world artist you will work collaboratively with other disciplines to craft the best looking worlds that enhance the game experience. From asset creation to level art to shader and tool development, you will be helping out on a large part of the game's creation. You will be working together with designers, programmers and producers to craft the best experience possible, while following the direction set by the lead artists and art director.

An Environment Artist will need:

• Ability to create high quality 3d environment art based off of concept art and photo reference
• Understanding of production techniques such as high-low poly baking, modular asset creation, whiteboxing, physically based rendering, sculpting, etc.
• Knowledge of 3d content creation and texturing tools such as Maya, 3dsmax, Photoshop and Substance Painter/Designer
• A strong sense of composition and eye for lighting, color and detail
• Level creation experience
• Experience working with game engines and their limitations
• Strong problem solving skills
• Strong communication skills
• Experience in open world game production is a plus

Additional attributes we also appreciate:

• A positive can-do attitude
• Self motivation and good organization
• Love of art and games
• Traditional art skills
• Passion for pushing visual quality and production techniques
• Previous AAA game development experience

What’s in it for you? Glad you asked!

Not just competitive rates but more importantly, because we love working with world-class creators, we maintain a culture that thrives on creative freedom and autonomy.

We thought you might also want to know:

We’re based in the lovely town of Guildford – 35 minutes from central London.
Our office is a short walk from the train station and town centre.

More about our studio:                http://criteriongames.com/

More about our location:             http://careers.ea.com/our-locations/guildford