Gameplay Animation Director - BGE2 - M/F/NB

Job description

Beyond Good & Evil 2 is an action-adventure open world game set in a captivating space opera universe and the direct prequel to the 2003 cult classic. Based on a breakthrough technology driven by the proprietary Voyager engine, Beyond Good & Evil 2 aims to offer a seamless experience of exploration and space piracy across a solar system full of exotic locations, colorful characters and mysteries to uncover, solo or with friends. So, if you are ready for an adventure like no other, come join forces with us to build System 3! We are looking for our future Gameplay Animation Director who will define and embody the project’s gameplay animation vision. What you will do You will work in collaboration with Creative Director Fawzi Mesmar and the other project directors. You will contribute to both vision and production. Responsibilities Vision & Artistic Direction You set the course. • Develop the gameplay animation vision • Define animation intentions: style, rhythm, readability, impact, fluidity. • Propose an animation artistic direction consistent with the targeted gameplay experience • Produce key documents: animation vision, briefs, guidelines, workflows, references. • Interpret the Artistic Director’s vision and translate it into concrete animation proposals. • Design visual and mechanical intentions independently, without intermediaries. • Drive the development of innovative gameplay animation solutions. You are the guarantor of consistency between animation and player experience. Production & Quality You ensure excellence. • Supervise the creation and integration of in-game animations in collaboration with the supervisor • Ensure the quality and consistency of animations: character, dynamism, gameplay readability. • Validate deliverables: prototypes, final animations, polish. • Collaborate with Game Designers and the Gameplay team to guarantee excellent feel and strong character responsiveness. Every animation must serve the game. Leadership & Collaboration You build a culture. • Inspire, guide, and support animators, in collaboration with the lead and the supervisor • Develop a strong animation culture: support, constructive feedback, mentoring. • Collaborate with other departments: Art, Tech Anim, Design, Narrative, Audio. • Actively participate in gameplay and creative decisions. You create a demanding and ambitious environment. Documentation & Communication • Produce clear, structured, and visual documents enabling the team to effectively execute the vision. • Ensure smooth, structured, respectful communication adapted to all stakeholders. What we are looking for You have significant experience in 3D animation in the video game industry. You have already led gameplay animation… or you are ready to step into this role. Ideally: • Experience on at least one AAA project • Strong vision for realistic or stylized animation • Minimum C1 level in English to collaborate with English-speaking colleagues. Key skills for this role Technical expertise • Strong animation background (portfolio required). • Proficiency in MotionBuilder (keyframe + mocap). • Experience with game engines and animation systems. • Understanding of gameplay and technical constraints. Why is this important? Because you will need to make artistic decisions that work within a proprietary engine. Creative sense • Strong sense of rhythm and movement. • Ability to translate a creative intention into playable animation. • Mastery of readability and impact. • Ability to propose both visual AND mechanical solutions. What will make you successful • You have a clear vision and know how to defend it. • You are demanding and inspiring. • You know how to make decisions. • You know how to listen. And above all: you want to leave your mark on a project. Your onboarding From day one: • Immersion in the project vision • Meeting with leads and key teams • Access to existing documentation Send us your portfolio. Show us what makes you unique. Additional information: Contract type: Permanent Location: Montpellier Start date: You can join the team as soon as possible As this role is central to creative decisions and daily interactions with the teams, on-site presence is essential. Recruitment process: Our recruitment process • Application review: our team will carefully review your application. • Quick pre-screening (30 min max by phone): if your profile matches, you will have an initial phone discussion to validate certain points. • Interview 1: Introduction (1h, remote): a discussion with a member of the recruitment team to get to know you better and assess how your background matches our expectations. • Interview 2: Technical (1h, remote): a discussion with two team members, more technically oriented, to dive into specifics and speak the same language. Finally, if the initial steps are successful, we will invite you to our Studio. The goal? Immerse you in the studio atmosphere, feel the mood, meet the teams… and most importantly, get hands-on with the game and test it. A technical test may be scheduled to better understand your way of working and your technical sensitivity. Check out this guide to help you with your application, and learn about our actions to encourage more diversity and inclusion. Ubisoft is a global leader in gaming with teams across the world creating original and memorable gaming experiences, from Assassin’s Creed, Rainbow Six to Just Dance and more. We believe diverse perspectives help both players and teams thrive. If you’re passionate about innovation and pushing entertainment boundaries, join our journey and help us create the unknown!