UE5 Fighting Game Character Artist
Budget / SalaryHourly project
TypeFreelance project
LocationRemote
Posted1 hour ago
**3D Character Modeler & Animator for UE5 Fighting Game — Human-Created Work Only**
We’re looking for a skilled 3D character artist and animator to create **two original playable characters** for a stylized 3D action brawler built in Unreal Engine 5.
You may apply for modeling, animation, or both. Specialists who can collaborate with other artists and a gameplay programmer are welcome.
**Project Scope**
The initial goal is two distinctive characters with different fighting styles, strong silhouettes, expressive movement, and impactful combat animations. Work will be divided into agreed milestones.
**Character Modeling**
- Create two original characters from creative direction and references.
- Develop clean, game-ready topology suitable for combat animation.
- Produce UVs, textures, and materials.
- Prepare models for rigging and integration into UE5.
- Balance visual quality with practical game performance.
**Rigging and Animation**
- Create or work with suitable character rigs; specify whether you provide rigging.
- Animate idle stances, walking, running, blocking, dodging, and attacks.
- Create combo sequences, launchers, aerial hit reactions, knockdowns, and recoveries.
- Use strong poses, anticipation, follow-through, and clear timing to make combat readable and satisfying.
- Collaborate with the programmer on animation transitions, attack timing, and UE5 integration.
- Where appropriate, create hand-authored smears and impact effects. Please identify any effects that would require a separate VFX artist.
The animation should feel fast, forceful, and expressive while supporting responsive gameplay.
**Required Experience**
- A portfolio of character modeling and/or combat animation you personally created.
- Experience preparing characters or animations for Unreal Engine 5.
- Proficiency with tools such as Blender, Maya, ZBrush, or Substance 3D.
- Understanding of deformation, rigging requirements, and game animation workflows.
- Clear communication and reliable progress updates.
Experience with fighting games or 3D action brawlers is strongly preferred.
**Human-Created Work Only**
Generative AI must not be used to create or modify project deliverables, including models, textures, animations, concept art, or effects. Conventional modeling, rigging, procedural tools, and non-generative automation are acceptable.
All third-party assets must be disclosed and properly licensed. Applicants must explain their workflow and identify their personal contributions to portfolio examples.
**Milestones and Deliverables**
We will agree on the animation list, technical specifications, schedule, and pricing before work begins. Please propose a small first milestone that demonstrates your approach to character quality or combat animation.
Final deliverables should include editable source files, textures and materials, applicable rigs, UE5-compatible exports, and brief integration notes.
**To Apply**
Please include:
1. Whether you are applying for modeling, animation, or both.
2. Two or three relevant portfolio examples and your contribution to each.
3. Your experience with UE5 character and animation workflows.
4. Whether you provide rigging and hand-authored combat effects.
5. Your proposed first milestone, estimated timeline, and cost.
6. Your availability and confirmation that you can follow the no-generative-AI requirement.
We’re looking for a skilled 3D character artist and animator to create **two original playable characters** for a stylized 3D action brawler built in Unreal Engine 5.
You may apply for modeling, animation, or both. Specialists who can collaborate with other artists and a gameplay programmer are welcome.
**Project Scope**
The initial goal is two distinctive characters with different fighting styles, strong silhouettes, expressive movement, and impactful combat animations. Work will be divided into agreed milestones.
**Character Modeling**
- Create two original characters from creative direction and references.
- Develop clean, game-ready topology suitable for combat animation.
- Produce UVs, textures, and materials.
- Prepare models for rigging and integration into UE5.
- Balance visual quality with practical game performance.
**Rigging and Animation**
- Create or work with suitable character rigs; specify whether you provide rigging.
- Animate idle stances, walking, running, blocking, dodging, and attacks.
- Create combo sequences, launchers, aerial hit reactions, knockdowns, and recoveries.
- Use strong poses, anticipation, follow-through, and clear timing to make combat readable and satisfying.
- Collaborate with the programmer on animation transitions, attack timing, and UE5 integration.
- Where appropriate, create hand-authored smears and impact effects. Please identify any effects that would require a separate VFX artist.
The animation should feel fast, forceful, and expressive while supporting responsive gameplay.
**Required Experience**
- A portfolio of character modeling and/or combat animation you personally created.
- Experience preparing characters or animations for Unreal Engine 5.
- Proficiency with tools such as Blender, Maya, ZBrush, or Substance 3D.
- Understanding of deformation, rigging requirements, and game animation workflows.
- Clear communication and reliable progress updates.
Experience with fighting games or 3D action brawlers is strongly preferred.
**Human-Created Work Only**
Generative AI must not be used to create or modify project deliverables, including models, textures, animations, concept art, or effects. Conventional modeling, rigging, procedural tools, and non-generative automation are acceptable.
All third-party assets must be disclosed and properly licensed. Applicants must explain their workflow and identify their personal contributions to portfolio examples.
**Milestones and Deliverables**
We will agree on the animation list, technical specifications, schedule, and pricing before work begins. Please propose a small first milestone that demonstrates your approach to character quality or combat animation.
Final deliverables should include editable source files, textures and materials, applicable rigs, UE5-compatible exports, and brief integration notes.
**To Apply**
Please include:
1. Whether you are applying for modeling, animation, or both.
2. Two or three relevant portfolio examples and your contribution to each.
3. Your experience with UE5 character and animation workflows.
4. Whether you provide rigging and hand-authored combat effects.
5. Your proposed first milestone, estimated timeline, and cost.
6. Your availability and confirmation that you can follow the no-generative-AI requirement.
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