CAREERS
Digital Extremes is always looking for exceptionally
talented people that are inspired to develop games. If you are such
an individual, there are a few things you could do that would
make our job a lot easier and your chances a lot stronger when
submitting for a position. Please read this page before sending
us your resume.
Currently we have the following positions available:
HELPFUL INFORMATION
We offer excellent compensation and benefits packages as well
as an amazing work environment. The successful applicant would
have to relocate to our little piece of heaven, also known as,
London, Ontario, Canada. For more information about London, Ontario,
Canada visit http://www.city.london.on.ca/.
Note: We are interested in talking to people anywhere in the
world but keep in mind, unless you have a degree from an accredited
University and/or solid experience in your field of expertise
it is extremely difficult to immigrate people.
>> For
all positions:
Please supply us with a resume. We can better judge your
abilities by knowing what you have done. A good cover letter
is also helpful. Maybe you have never had a job, but have been
coding games since you were very young or designing mods since
UT came out. We would like to know. Please include any salary
expectations. If you want lead programmer pay, we need to see
capabilities that justify the salary. This
alone can help us determine if we have a possible fit that
both sides can be happy with.
>> If
you are a Programmer:
In addition
to your resume, supply us with a sample of what you can do
or have done using some of the industry standard
tools or code you have tinkered with on your own outside of
work or school. Show us you're passionate about making innovative,
clean, smart code. Several years of working with C++ and a
lifetime of playing games and understanding the difference
between what makes a game good and great is required. If you
have written a demo on your own, send a working version (with
instructions). The more applicable to what we do the
better.
>> If you are a Level Designer:
In addition to your resume, Digital Extremes would like
to see a game level designed by you. There's a lot more to
making a good level than putting together some rooms and throwing
in weapons and spawn points and we want to see what you can
do. The level should be designed for Unreal Tournament or some
other prominent 3-D action game that utilizes the Unreal engine
technology or any of the other major 3-D engines currently
available.
>> If
you are an Artist:
In addition to your resume, whether you are 2-D or 3-D
artist, we like to see art samples of different subjects - environments,
humans, creatures, animals, space ships, buildings, weapons,
etc. Send us anything that shows your drawing ability. Secondly,
we would like to see samples of computer art, made in Photoshop,
XSI, Zbrush, 3ds Max, Lightwave or Modo. These are the primary
software packages Digital Extremes currently employs but if
you use something different we're happy to take a look at your
talent. Please include poly counts, work timelines, UV maps,
etc. to help us gauge your experience level.
Lastly, take a look at our past and current projects before
submitting artwork and determine whether or not your art style
and/or talent really fit with Digital Extremes. We generally
work in hyper-realistic worlds using top-notch talent, so we
show preference to portfolios that show work that relates to
our work and have promising talent. Do not send us original
copies of your artwork!!! We don't have the time or resources
to send original materials back. Preferably, please send us
a URL where we can view your artwork online or a DVD-ROM via
snail mail will be accepted.
>> If
you are an Animator:
In addition to your resume, we need to see samples that
show your drawing ability as well as animation skills on your
demo
reel. We would like to see detailed modeling of characters/creatures
as well as objects such as weapons, vehicles, etc. which are
then animated in a variety of motions. They don't need to have
skins or textures. We are more concerned with the quality and
detail of the model and animation. Preferably, please send
us a URL where we can view your demo reel or a DVD-ROM via
snail mail will be accepted. VHS tapes will be thrown in the
garbage and not looked at.
>> Anything Else:
We do
not have positions for people who have new game ideas with
no other discernable game development skills or experience.
Please DO NOT forward us your game ideas, they will not be
read and will promptly be discarded. We do not have positions
for game testers or quality assurance personnel unless posted
above. We do not have openings for webmasters or network administrators
unless posted above. In general, the positions we may have are
Artists, Animators, Level Designers and Game Programmers.
>> How to Send Relevant Materials:
Send
an e-mail with all relevant materials to resume@digitalextremes.com.
If you need a snail mail address send us an e-mail asking for
it (FYI, we highly prefer receiving materials electronically,
we are in the technology business after all.)
We appreciate your interest in Digital Extremes, we do look
at all of the submissions we receive based on our criteria
listed above and if we're interested in you and your work,
you will here from us.
Sr.
Animation Programmer
Main Responsibilities:
- Work closely with animators and programmers to design,
implement and maintain animation systems for Xbox 360, Playstation
3 and PC.
- Integrate animation with AI and character control.
- Develop
tools in support of animators and programmers.
- Contribute
innovative and original ideas towards all aspects of the
game’s production and development.
- Write robust, maintainable
code.
- Maintain code performance through profiling and optimization.
Qualifications:
- Experience with animation systems: skeletal character animation,
key frame animation, motion trees, linear and cubic interpolation,
quaternions, skeletal LOD systems, segmented and skinned
surfaces, animation exporters (XSI preferred).
- Experience
with compression schemes for animation data.
- Solid understanding
of rendering techniques.
- Solid understanding of rigid body
simulations.
- Expertise in C++.
- Strong 3D math background.
- B. Sc. Degree in Comp Sci, Mathematics,
Engineering or equivalent game development experience.
- 2+
years game development experience, with a concentration
on animation programming.
- Strong communication skills, work
ethic and motivation.
- A passion for games.
- Must be willing to relocate to Canada.
Preferred Extras:
- Xbox 360 and/or Playstation 3 experience.
- Experience with
motion capture, facial animation and lip-synch.
- Experience
with Ageia PhysX
- XSI and plug-in development.
- Familiarity with large-scale
C++ project development.
- Experience with concurrent programming
Sr. Physics Programmer
Main Responsibilities:
- Responsible for implementing and maintaining the physics
system for high-profile, AAA games.
- Ability to optimize
and debug code, from low-level libraries through to
in-game code.
- Work closely with designers and other programmers
to ensure the physics system is robust and tuned
towards providing an incredible player experience.
- Write
robust, maintainable code.
- Maintain code performance
through profiling and optimization.
Qualifications:
- Strong math and physics background.
- Experience with
third party physics engines (PhysX preferred).
- Expertise
in C++.
- B.SC. Degree in Comp Sci, Mathematics, Engineering
or equivalent game development experience.
- 2+ years
game development experience, with a concentration on
Physics programming and at least 1 shipped title.
- Strong
communication skills, work ethic and motivation.
- A passion
for games.
Preferred Extras:
- Xbox 360 and/or Playstation 3 experience.
- Familiarity
with large-scale C++ project development.
- Familiarity
with code optimization and profiling tools (i.e. VTune).
- Experience
with concurrent programming.
Sr. Graphics Programmer
Main Responsibilities:
- Responsible for graphical quality of high profile,
AAA game titles.
- Implement and maintain new rendering
solutions for Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC.
- Implement
custom shaders for in-game special effects.
- Contribute
innovative and original ideas towards all aspects of
the game’s production and development.
- Provide support
to artists, designers and programmers.
- Write robust,
maintainable code.
- Maintain code performance through
profiling and optimization.
Qualifications:
- Passion for graphics programming and algorithms.
- Expertise
in C++
- 3D Graphic API experience (Direct3D 9+ and/or
OpenGL).
- Shader programming experience (HLSL, GLSL,
Cg).
- Strong 3D math background.
- B. Sc. Degree in Comp Sci,
Mathematics, Engineering or equivalent game development
experience.
- 2+ years game development experience, with
at least 1 shipped product.
- Strong communication skills,
work ethic and motivation.
- A passion for games.
- Must be willing to relocate to
Canada.
Preferred Extras:
- Xbox 360 and/or Playstation 3 experience.
- Familiarity
with large-scale C++ project development.
- Experience
with concurrent programming.
- Experience with code optimization
and profiling tools (i.e. VTune, PIX, NVPerfHUD).
- Well
versed in geometry optimization.
- Familiarity with advanced
lighting techniques.
- Practical experience with shadow
algorithms.
- Understanding of the hardware 3D rendering
pipeline.
- Knowledge of SSE/VMX/SIMD techniques.
Associate
Producer
Main Responsibilities: - Assists the Producers with scheduling and task tracking
for defined areas of the project.
- Collaborate with Producers and Team Members to establish
realistic expectations for timelines, estimates and project
deliverables.
- Manage large aspects of game production as directed by
the Producer.
- Use project management software tools to assist in maintaining
detailed project plans and to track status.
- Responsible for handling day-to-day inquiries.
- Facilitate team communication and ensure timely dissemination
of information.
- Obtain management approvals & verification for work in
progress.
- Ensure timely delivery of necessary assets for localization,
manage the implementation of localized assets, and submit
localized SKUS to foreign partners.
- Writes and publishes meeting minutes.
- Prepare release notes for publisher.
- Flag issues for the QA team.
- Assist in preparing for and carrying out play testing & user
tests.
- Updates and maintains the project's Wiki pages.
- Organizes meetings, special events, and team activities.
- Assist with other tasks by providing assistance and gathering
information in a timely manner.
Qualifications:
- 2-3 years of game industry experience in an Assistant Producer
or Assoiate Producer role
- 1 or more shipped next-gen console titles
- Demonstrated strengths in taking initiative with a desire
to learn and be challenged.
- Ability to create, maintain, assess, and adjust project
schedules.
- Strong communication skills, work ethic and motivation.
- Ability to adapt and address issues encountered in the
product development process.
Preferred Extras:
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience of the customary
procedures and development strategies in game development
preferred.
- Passion for making and playing great games.
Sr. AI Programmer
Main Responsibilities:
- Work in conjunction with designers to design and implement
cutting-edge, intuitive artificial intelligence solutions
for next-gen gameplay.
- Implement and maintain thoughtful,
strategic path finding and path following algorithms.
- Communicate
with designers, artists and other engineers to ensure AI
satisfies production needs and quality standards.
- Work with
designers and artists to shape gameplay and provide an
incredible player experience.
- Implement vital gameplay elements
such as player control, game rules, weapons systems, camera
movement and
visual effects.
- Write robust, maintainable code.
- Maintain code performance
through profiling and optimization.
Main Requirements:
- Experience in programming movement, navigation and decision-making
AI for FPS or 3rd-person action/shooters.
- Experience in coding
game components such as character control, game rules,
weapons systems and camera.
- Passion for making AI as realistic
as possible.
- Expertise in C++.
- Strong 3D math background.
- B.SC. Degree in Comp Sci, Mathematics,
Engineering or equivalent game development experience.
- 2+
years game development experience, with a concentration
on AI and/or gameplay programming and at least
1 shipped title.
- Strong communication skills, work ethic
and motivation.
- A passion for games.
Desired Skills and Pluses:
- Xbox 360 and/or Playstation 3 experience.
- Familiarity with
large-scale C++ project development.
- Experience with Ageia
PhysX.
- Knowledge of scripting languages (PERL, Python, Lua,
etc...)
- Familiarity with code optimization and profiling
tools (i.e. VTune).
Sr. Gameplay
Programmer
Main Responsibilities:
- Develop and maintain a cross-platform, next-generation
game engine.
- Collaborate with design, artists and other engineers to
implement and fine-tune game features.
- Ensure the technical quality and game-play of the product
through tuning and bug fixing.
- Contribute innovative and original ideas toward all aspects
of the game's production and development.
- Write robust, maintainable code.
- Maintain code performance through profiling and optimization.
Qualifications:
- Passion for making and playing great games.
- A burning desire to write code you can be proud of.
- Expertise in C++.
- B.Sc. Degree in Comp Sci, Mathematics, Engineering or equivalent
game development experience.
- 2+ years game development experience, with at least 1 shipped
product.
- Strong communication skills, work ethic and motivation.
- Willing to relocate to Canada.
Preferred Extras:
- Console experience; next-gen preferred.
- Familiarity with large-scale C++ project development.
- Familiarity with any of the following APIs: D3D, OpenGL,
PhysX, DirectSound, DirectInput, Win32/GDI.
- Experience with concurrent programming.
- Assembly language and low-level systems.
- Familiarity with Perforce.
- Experience with Perl.
- Familiarity with profiling tools (i.e. VTune).
Tools Programmer
Level Designer
Main Responsibilities:
- Responsible for creating high-level "pen & paper" game
designs, as well as implementing spectacular character based
levels and ultra-fun gameplay mechanics.
- Contribute to level concept, layout, implementation (camera,
entity, etc.), prototype modeling, scenario creation, event
scripting, game balancing, pacing, and gameplay tuning.
- Contribute to general game design, as well as cooperate
with all other facets of game production (programming, environment/world
art and animation).
- Place and trigger entities (such as enemies, movers, and
objects) to create fun, absorbing gameplay.
- Master internal tools for modeling environments and integrating
game play.
- Rough out world geometry, camera paths, and lighting using
3D world-building tools.
- Assist with the scripting of gameplay entities and events.
- Creatively resolve game play and production issues.
- Meet production schedules and deadlines.
- Collaborate with Design team to define and refine gameplay
mechanics.
- Work closely with project artists to create visually stunning
environments.
Qualifications:
- A list of the specific areas you designed in the games
included on your resume.
- Creative vision and passion for console and PC games.
- Over 3+ years of industry single player level design experience
using world-building tools such as UnrealEd and Quake.
- Intimate knowledge of the development process from concept
to final product release.
- Ability to produce articulate design documentation detailing
innovative gameplay mechanics, mission, walkthroughs, story
lines, character biographies, control systems, and asset
inventories.
- Maintain knowledge of game features and technologies, as
they pertain to gameplay implementation and level optimizations.
- Leadership skills with the ability to adhere to tight schedules.
- Exceptional creativity and attention to detail.
- A team player with excellent communication skills.
- Skilled with Microsoft Office, bug tracking software, source
control software, and 3D game development toolsets.
Preferred Extras:
- Able to consider game-wide mechanics including interface,
pacing and story, game balance, and difficulty curve.
- Possess the ability and desire to contribute in a highly
creative environment, provide unique concepts and solutions;
have a good understanding of the game market, can analyze
competitive products to identify key strengths and weaknesses.
- Be able to quickly adapt to change, finding creative solutions
and maintaining positive momentum in the face of adversity.
- Bachelor's degree.
Animator Main Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with Lead Animator and Content Producer to ensure
all animations are created on time and are either motion captured
or of motion capture quality
- Consistently create convincing performances and characters
with complex personalities.
- Contribute innovative and original ideas toward all aspects
of game production and development, most specifically to animation.
- Deliver work on time and according to schedule.
- Coordinate with artists to bridge the gap between technical
specifications needed for animation and artistic vision.
- Take initiative to resolve any pipeline issues and communicate
solutions to the team.
Qualifications:
- A portfolio that demonstrates excellent 3D animation skills.
- Possess strong animation fundamentals in rigging, weighting,
cameras.
- Excellent sense of timing and knowledge of camera angles
along with an intrinsic ability for storytelling through animation.
- Skilled with software tools required for character animation.
- Sound Knowledge of animation limitations and their effects
on gameplay and real-time issues.
- Willing to relocate to Canada.
Texture Artist
Main Responsibilities:
- Develop high quality, realistic, efficient texture maps.
- Create, organize and maintain unique texture assets from
scratch as well as photo source materials.
- Use creative and efficient UV mapping to apply textures to
3D geometry.
- Create normal maps from high-poly geometry.
- Use proprietary tools and work within an established asset
development pipeline.
- Combine ideas and methodologies of texture production to
create an increasingly efficient, streamlined pipeline.
Qualifications:
- Passion for making and playing games with a broad knowledge
base of console and PC games.
- Excellent eye for proportion, detail and color.
- Extensive experience with environmental texturing, next-gen
art pipelines and production preferred.
- In-depth knowledge of Photoshop.
- Some experience with ZBrush, Mudbox and a major 3D package
such as XSI, Maya, 3DSMax or Lightwave highly beneficial.
- Strong communication skills, work ethic and motivation.
- Willing to relocate to Canada.
Preferred Extras:
- Expertise in low to medium resolution game modeling using
XSI.
Environmental Artist
Main Responsibilities:
- Design, model, and texture awe inspiring high quality 3D
game worlds.
- Collaborate with Art and Design leads to create fun, functional,
and memorable game worlds and levels.
- Ensure gameplay functionality and artistic integrity.
- Create any aspect of a 3D game environment including high
quality modeling, texturing, and lighting of terrain, architecture,
world objects and collisions.
- Work with Art Director to combine ideas and methodologies
of environment production to create an efficient, streamlined
pipeline that other artists can follow.
- Multitask effectively, prioritize competing demands, and
follow through on details.
Qualifications:
- A portfolio that demonstrates excellent concept, modeling
and texturing.
- Strong lighting skills and experience creating normal maps
and applying shaders.
- Above average ability to model, texture, and light 3D environments
for a state of the art next-gen game engine.
- Possess exemplary oral and written communication skills
- Experience with Softimage XSI, Photoshop and ZBrush or Mudbox
highly beneficial.
- Have a genuine enthusiasm and interest in video games.
- Willing to relocate to Canada
Preferred Extras:
- Excellent understanding of efficient techniques for game
production.
Layout
Artist
Main Responsibilities:
- Work closely with the Art Director and Lead
Level Designer to
understand the creative and gameplay direction of the project
to ensure the
successful execution of the game's visual and technical design
- Utilize
the defined art sets, props and lighting techniques to
design visually stunning and efficient levels in the game
- Ensure the visual quality and game-play of
the product through
tuning (rebuilding), bug fixing, and play-testing
- Contribute innovative and original ideas toward all aspects
of the
game's production and development
- Deliver work on time and according to schedule as prepared
by the
Art Director
- Actively participate in the feedback loop including accepting
feedback from and providing feedback within the art and
level design team as
required, staying current on the scope and understanding
of the project.
- Multitask effectively, prioritize competing demands,
and follow
through on details.
Qualifications:
- 2-3 years of industry experience on a shipped AAA console
product
- A portfolio showing strong artistic skill and composition
- Strong
lighting skills and experience creating normal maps and applying
shaders.
- Possess exemplary oral and written communication skills
- Experience
with Softimage XSI, Photoshop and ZBrush or Mudbox highly
beneficial.
- Have a genuine enthusiasm and interest in video games.
- Willing
to relocate to Canada
Preferred Extras:
- Strong 3d modeling, texturing and UV-mapping skills
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