Game Animator

Position: Game Animator / 3D Designer
Industry: Gaming / Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Game Development / Research & Development
Location: Menlyn Maine, Pretoria, Gauteng
Working Arrangement: Fully On-Site
Working Hours: Monday–Friday | Standard Office Hours
Salary: R40,000 per month (market related)
Experience: Relevant experience in 3D animation, game animation and game development

Role Overview

An innovative organisation is seeking a creative and technically skilled Game Designer / 3D Animator to join an exciting research and development project exploring how Artificial Intelligence systems, particularly Large Language Models (LLMs), establish goals, collaborate, make decisions and work together to achieve specific objectives.
This is not a conventional commercial game development role. The primary purpose of the project is to develop a playable game environment that can be used to research and observe how AI systems interact, coordinate, plan and collaborate to achieve goals.
Importantly, the game must also be enjoyable and playable by human users. The successful candidate will help create the visual world, characters, animations and gameplay elements required to bring this research environment to life.
The ideal candidate will combine strong creative ability with practical technical skills in 3D modelling, character animation, game animation workflows and game asset development, particularly using Blender and Houdini.
We are looking for someone creative, curious, technically capable and enthusiastic about gaming, animation and emerging AI technologies. The candidate should be comfortable working in a research-driven environment where experimentation, iteration and creative problem-solving are essential.

Key Responsibilities

1. Game Design & Development

• Assist in designing and developing a playable game environment for AI research.
• Translate research concepts and objectives into practical game mechanics.
• Help design game scenarios in which AI agents can pursue goals, make decisions and collaborate.
• Develop gameplay elements that support both AI experimentation and human participation.
• Contribute ideas for game mechanics, player interactions, challenges and objectives.
• Design environments and interactions that allow AI behaviour to be observed and evaluated.
• Help create engaging and understandable gameplay experiences for human players.
• Collaborate with developers to ensure that game assets and mechanics integrate effectively into the game.
• Participate in prototyping, testing, feedback sessions and iterative development.

2. 3D Modelling & Animation

• Create and animate 3D characters, objects and environmental assets.
• Develop high-quality animations suitable for real-time gameplay.
• Create character movement, locomotion, interactions and other gameplay animations.
• Animate characters performing actions such as walking, running, jumping, interacting with objects and responding to their environment.
• Create animations that communicate character actions, intentions and behaviours clearly.
• Optimise models, animation rigs and assets for real-time performance.
• Maintain consistent visual quality and style throughout the game.
• Modify and refine animations based on gameplay testing and project requirements.
• Ensure animations integrate correctly with the game engine and character controllers.

3. Blender & Houdini

The candidate must have practical experience using Blender and Houdini, particularly in relation to 3D animation and game asset production.
Responsibilities include:

• Create and modify 3D models using Blender.
• Develop character rigs and animation systems where required.
• Produce and refine skeletal animations.
• Create animation cycles and reusable animation assets.
• Use Houdini for procedural modelling, animation-related workflows and procedural asset generation where appropriate.
• Develop reusable assets and workflows to improve production efficiency.
• Prepare and export models, rigs, textures and animations for integration into a game engine.
• Troubleshoot asset import, rigging, animation and compatibility issues.
• Optimise assets for real-time rendering and gameplay.

4. Character Animation & Gameplay Integration

• Create animations that support the intended gameplay mechanics.
• Work with developers to integrate animations into the game.
• Ensure animations transition smoothly between different character actions.
• Support animation state machines and animation blending where applicable.
• Develop animations for AI-controlled characters and human-controlled characters.
• Ensure character movement and interactions feel natural and responsive.
• Test animations within the actual game environment.
• Identify and resolve animation-related issues during gameplay testing.

5. AI Research Environment

An important part of the project is understanding how AI systems establish goals, coordinate actions and work collaboratively.
The candidate will help create visual and interactive environments that allow these behaviours to be studied.
Responsibilities include:

• Develop game environments in which AI agents can interact with objects, characters and one another.
• Create scenarios that support goal-oriented behaviour and collaborative tasks.
• Design visual feedback that makes AI actions and interactions understandable.
• Help create environments that can be used for repeatable AI experiments.
• Work with AI researchers and software developers to translate research requirements into game features.
• Support testing of AI-controlled characters and their interactions with the environment.
• Refine gameplay scenarios based on research findings and development feedback.
• Ensure that the environment remains playable and engaging for human users.

Previous AI research experience is not essential. An interest in artificial intelligence, experimentation and innovative game development will be highly advantageous.

6. Game Engine Integration

• Import 3D models and animations into the relevant game engine.
• Work with developers to ensure that assets function correctly in the game.
• Assist with animation setup, character integration and asset optimisation.
• Understand the relationship between 3D assets, animation systems and gameplay logic.
• Troubleshoot visual and animation-related issues during integration.
• Maintain organised asset libraries and project files.
• Follow appropriate naming conventions, version-control processes and development workflows.

Experience with Unity or Unreal Engine will be advantageous.

7. Testing, Iteration & Collaboration

• Test animations and game assets in the actual gameplay environment.
• Identify visual inconsistencies, animation problems and performance issues.
• Implement feedback from developers, researchers and other team members.
• Participate in design discussions and creative brainstorming sessions.
• Work collaboratively with technical and creative team members.
• Manage assigned tasks and meet project milestones.
• Remain flexible as the project evolves and new research requirements emerge.

Technical Skills & Knowledge

3D Modelling & Animation

Strong practical knowledge of:

• 3D modelling.
• Character animation.
• Rigging and skinning.
• Skeletal animation.
• Animation cycles.
• Character locomotion.
• Animation blending and transitions.
• Game-ready asset creation.
• UV mapping and texturing.
• Asset optimisation.
• Animation export and integration.
• Real-time animation workflows.

Software & Tools

Primary applications:

• Blender – 3D modelling, rigging, character animation and asset preparation.
• Houdini – procedural workflows, modelling and animation-related production.

Advantageous additional tools:

• Unreal Engine.
• Unity.
• Substance 3D Painter.
• Photoshop or similar texturing tools.
• Git or other version-control systems.
• Motion-capture tools and workflows.

Game Development Knowledge

• Understanding of real-time game development.
• Knowledge of how 3D assets are integrated into games.
• Understanding of character controllers and animation systems.
• Familiarity with gameplay mechanics and player interaction.
• Understanding of performance optimisation for real-time environments.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with programmers and technical artists.

Minimum Requirements

• Relevant experience in 3D animation, game animation or game development.
• Practical proficiency in Blender.
• Practical experience with Houdini, particularly in procedural workflows or animation-related production.
• Demonstrable experience creating and animating 3D assets.
• Understanding of character rigging, skeletal animation and animation workflows.
• Ability to create assets suitable for real-time game environments.
• Understanding of how animations are exported and integrated into a game engine.
• A portfolio or showreel demonstrating relevant animation and 3D work.
• Strong creative and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Willingness to experiment, test ideas and refine work based on feedback.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to work fully on-site in Menlyn Maine, Pretoria.

Advantageous Qualifications & Experience

A relevant qualification in one or more of the following areas will be advantageous:

• Game Design.
• Game Development.
• 3D Animation.
• Digital Arts.
• Multimedia Design.
• Computer Graphics.
• Animation and Visual Effects.
• Interactive Media.
• Technical Art.
• Or a similar relevant field.

Additional experience in the following areas will be highly beneficial:

• Developing games in Unity or Unreal Engine.
• Creating animations for interactive environments.
• Procedural modelling and asset generation using Houdini.
• Developing NPCs and AI-controlled characters.
• Working on experimental or research-based game projects.
• Designing environments for simulation or artificial intelligence.
• Working with developers on technically complex creative projects.

A strong portfolio and demonstrable practical skills are important.

Working Environment

• Fully on-site position based in Menlyn Maine, Pretoria.
• Monday to Friday, during standard office hours.
• Collaborative environment involving game development, animation and AI research.
• Work closely with developers, AI engineers and other technical team members.
• Develop and refine game assets, animations and interactive environments.
• Participate in prototyping, testing and improving gameplay experiences.
• Work on an innovative project at the intersection of gaming and artificial intelligence.