Epoch Games is a volunteer-based, all-online, global game development team. We have no centrally-located headquarters and are unincorporated at this time. Most of the original founding members were modders developing the total conversion Middle Earth Roleplaying Project (MERP) mod for the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim:
http://www.moddb.com/mods/merp-middle-earth-roleplaying-project

Currently Epoch Games is developing The Lays of Althas: Sundered Order (LoA:SO). LoA:SO is an in-development indie open-world RPG set in an original fantasy world. The game is being developed using Epic Games' Unreal Engine 4 (UE4):
https://www.unrealengine.com/

For more information about the game, please check out our IndieDb page:
http://www.indiedb.com/games/the-lays-of-althas-sundered-order

NOTE: The address listed is our central office, but we are working as a completely remote development team at this time. No relocation is necessary.

In this volunteer position you will be working closely with 3D Character Artists, Riggers/Skinners, as well as other Animators, to Animate Human and realistic (and sometimes Fantastical) Creatures for The Lays of Althas: Sundered Order (LoA:SO). 3D Characters are created in Reallusion's Character Creator 3 (CC3), and Creatures are often created using Unreal Engine Marketplace Third Party Assets and modify them.

The ability to Rig and Skin Characters is optional, but recommended. It is also recommended, but not required, to have experience with Reallusion iClone 7 to assist with animating Reallusion CC3 Characters.

Communication is key to a smooth and efficient pipeline, you must be able to communicate clearly and effectively with other team-members and not be afraid to ask should any problems arise. We are an English-speaking team, so English fluency is a must.

If you are comfortable with teaching, you may be called upon to aid the more junior members of the team in any relevant area.

Other duties include: attending team meetings; completing monthly reports; and following team policies.

NOTE: This is not an Internship. We are not looking for short-term Interns. We are looking for long-term Volunteer Programmers who have previous experience developing in Unreal Engine with C++ experience.

Minimum Requirements:

• Strong understanding of Human anatomy and movement.
• Expertise in animating 3D Characters
• Expertise in animating quadrupeds and aerial creatures
• Understanding of traditional animation principles that enhance believable movement
• Experience with non-gaming Non-linear Animation (NLA) systems and/or has animated for games
• Rapid prototyping and turn-around for animations
• Self-motivated and able to troubleshoot technical challenges
• Online communication (English) and Team-collaboration skills
• A passion for animation and a dedication to creating AAA quality games

Optional Requirements:

• Creation of 3D Character Skeletons & Rigs
• Skinning (weighting) 3D Human Characters & Clothing/Armor
• Creation of 3D quadruped and aerial creature Skeletons & Rigs
• Skinning (weighting) 3D quadrupeds and aerial creatures
• Reallusion Character Creator 3 (CC3) and iClone 7 experience

Software Requirements:

• Autodesk 3DS Max / Maya only
• Motionbuilder useful, but not essential
• Unreal Engine 4 (https://www.unrealengine.com/register)

Optional Software:

• Reallusion iClone 7 (https://www.reallusion.com/iclone/)