2D/3D Game Artist and Animator

Job Title: 2D/3D Game Artist and Animator

Project: Clockwork - A Steampunk Word Game

Type: Contract, Deferred Payment with Revenue Potential

Experience Level: Junior to Mid-Level (1-3 years of game art and animation experience)

Location: Remote, United States only

Description:Join our startup studio, Dolphin Entertainment, LLC, to craft the vibrant world of Clockwork, a steampunk-inspired word game designed with a unique gameplay element, set to be built in Unity using pre-made and AI-generated assets to accelerate development. The project is in the design phase, with a detailed plan ready for execution, targeting a publisher-ready prototype in ~2 months to pitch for funding. This is the first of our profitable titles, building a revenue foundation before scaling to larger projects, with revenue from microtransactions, a themed cosmetic store, and ad placements during multiplayer loading.

Payment is deferred until funding or revenue is secured, with a formal contract outlining terms, but our goal is to rapidly generate income and provide industry-standard pay (e.g., $50k-$80k/year) with benefits like health and PTO. Initial hires will have first dibs on higher-level roles (e.g., Lead Artist) as we grow. This is a remote role for U.S.-based artists eager to shape a quirky, profitable game and contribute animation skills to future projects.

Responsibilities:

• Design steampunk-inspired, cartoonish characters (3D modeled, posed, and flattened to 2D static poses) in a Wacky Races style, including a mascot character.
• Create a steampunk-themed logo and metal-plated menu placards with riveted or painted styles.
• Develop playful steampunk backgrounds (e.g., airship-filled scenes) and textures for cosmetic store items (e.g., themed tile packs), compatible with interchangeable theme infrastructure.
• Adapt pre-made and free AI-generated Unity Asset Store assets (e.g., steampunk packs) to match the game’s aesthetic.
• Demonstrate animation skills (e.g., animating tanks, explosion effects, and characters) to support a future project, ensuring readiness for dynamic visuals in upcoming titles.
• Collaborate remotely with the programmer and myself (the lead designer, handling UI and QA) to integrate assets seamlessly.

Requirements:

• 1-3 years of game art and animation experience (2D art, basic 3D modeling, and animation skills required).
• Proficiency in tools like Blender, Photoshop, Illustrator, or similar for character design, logo creation, texturing, and animation.
• Ability to craft a cohesive steampunkish, cartoonish style with a Hanna-Barbera flair for Clockwork.
• Comfortable refining pre-made assets, creating static 2D visuals, and working remotely with deferred payment, targeting a publisher pitch in ~2 months.
• Familiarity with animation techniques (e.g., for vehicles, effects, or characters) to contribute to a future project.
• Must reside in the United States for legal and communication purposes.
• Must be able to adapt to other art styles as required by future projects
• Bonus: Experience with Unity’s asset pipeline, microtransaction-focused art, or animating dynamic game elements (e.g., explosions, machinery).

Who am I?I’m Jason Patterson, U.S.-based founder of Dolphin Entertainment, LLC. I previously ran an indie studio, launching a title before life events shifted my path. Since then, I’ve had a book accepted for publication, undertaken on a variety of ventures, and worked with a startup creating AI-powered interactive narratives. My passion for games and steampunk aesthetics brought me back to revive my studio for Clockwork. With experience in UI design, art direction, and QA, I’m hands-on, fostering a crunch-free, family-like team culture.

Why Join Us?Be part of our ground floor as we build a revenue base with Clockwork, then expand to bigger projects. Your art and animation skills will define our steampunk style, fuel microtransaction success, and support ad-driven revenue for Clockwork, while preparing you for dynamic visuals in future titles. As an early team member, you’ll get first dibs on leadership roles and direct input on Clockwork and upcoming projects. Work remotely, shape a steampunk word game, and grow with us in a focused, innovative team free of crunch time.

Contact:Send your resume, cover letter, and a note about why you’re excited for Clockwork to degames.jobs@gmail.com (mailto:degames.jobs@gmail.com). Include links to your portfolio, steampunk-inspired art, or animation samples (e.g., vehicles, effects, characters), if available. We’ll review applications within a week and schedule Zoom interviews for top candidates. Connect with me, Jason Patterson, on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/realjmpatterson or follow @DolphinEntLLC on X for project updates. Let’s create something extraordinary!

Job Type: Contract

Pay: $1.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Schedule:

• Choose your own hours

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

• After reviewing the expectations in the posting, are you willing to devote the time required to make a publisher pitch-ready product within the estimated time frame?
• Do you understand that this is currently an unfunded startup and the and that promise of future pay when investment/revenue is obtained will be protected by contract?
• Do you understand that this hiring encompasses skills not only required for making Clockwork, but more ambitious future titles as well?
• Do you have at least the minimum of one year of game art and animation experience?

Work Location: Remote