Tencent is hiring: Senior Camera Designer in Irvine

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About The Hiring Team

Welcome to Lightspeed LA, the first U.S.-based, AAA game development studio for Tencent Games. Lightspeed LA is focused on building open-world games that emphasize an ambitious living world, sophisticated player-driven gameplay, and mature, thoughtful storytelling. We are developing the first in a series of genre-defining titles.

Why join Lightspeed LA?

For us, it’s not only about the exciting, new AAA open world game we’re developing but also about team values and studio culture. We foster an open and transparent environment where everyone feels comfortable providing constructive feedback about all aspects of our games.

• We encourage the showing of work that’s still in progress.
• We don’t attack or question unfinished work; we celebrate its promise.
• We have a No Blame Culture where we blame the problem, not the person.

This is a safe place to fail, and we don’t view failure as a negative, but as the natural result of pushing boundaries and trying new things. We create together. We face challenges together. We succeed together.

The Role

What The Role Entails

We are seeking a Camera Designer to drive design and implementation of gameplay cameras. In this role, you will work closely with the Lead Gameplay Designer and the Senior Camera Designer to elevate gameplay presentation, improve usability of gameplay cameras, and provide camera support to numerous different disciplines including mission, ambient world and gameplay design.

Camera Designer creates and polishes real-time camera animations for gameplay and IGCs using standard tools from Unreal and our proprietary tools. You will collaborate within a strike team environment to solve complex technical issues without obvious solutions. In addition to creating polished cameras and animations, you will be responsible for implementation and troubleshooting the systems and content you create.

• Contribute to the development of a cohesive cinematographic style for moment-to-moment gameplay presentation including ambient world interactions, runtime mission/objective presentation, environment vista shots, and mini-game presentation elements
• Develop and improve player camera systems for traversal, ranged combat, melee combat, and vehicle gameplay cameras
• Identify and design unique camera behaviors and compositions for various gameplay modes and narrative moments
• Collaborate with Cinematic team to ensure our cameras have a unified style and seamless transitions between gameplay camera and cinematic
• Collaborate with Engineering to develop and implement camera systems and improve tools
• Aim to make gameplay cameras intuitive for as many players as possible (UX)

Who We Look For

• Minimum 5–8 years working in roles related to camera animation, character animation, design and technical art
• 5–8 years of experience in camera design and implementation in 3rd person action/shooter games
• A passion for improving gameplay, user experience and presentation
• Fluent with Unreal Editor and Blueprint scripting
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey difficult concepts to all disciplines
• Fluent in cinematography and composition, pacing and narrative storytelling

Preferred Knowledge/Skills

• At least 4 years of experience with industry-standard 3-D animation packages (3D Studio Max, MotionBuilder, Maya)
• Aptitude for creative problem solving
• Passion for visual storytelling and fostering emotional connection to game characters
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to new technology and complex pipelines
• Solid organization skills with adherence to file structures and established protocols
• Ability to work in the game engine and tools, playing the game frequently to identify areas for improvement
• Ability to embrace the established art and design vision of the game and ensure it is delivered in its entirety at the end of the project
• Excellent self-management to meet deadlines and work under pressure
• Team player: willing to give and receive feedback and adapt to change; ability to collaborate productively
• Active, passionate interest in current video games to help drive the game to the next level
• Extensive knowledge of competing products and understanding of open-world complexity and edge cases
• Significant contribution to at least two AAA titles

Location

US-California-Irvine

Compensation & Benefits

The expected base pay range for this position in the listed location is $93,100.00 to $216,700.00 per year. Actual pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Eligible for sign-on payment, relocation package, and restricted stock units, evaluated case-by-case. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and disability coverage, and participation in the Company’s 401(k) plan. Eligible for up to 15–25 days of vacation per year (depending on tenure), up to 13 holidays, and up to 10 paid sick days per year. Benefits may be adjusted by location, employment status, duration, and position level; pro-rated where applicable.

Equal Employment Opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, Tencent believes diverse voices fuel innovation. We foster an environment where every employee feels supported and inspired to achieve individual and common goals.

Employment Details

• Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Design, Art/Creative, IT
• Industries: Software Development

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