We’re looking for an experienced Senior Character Artist to build the heroes, allies, and enemies that populate Hexborn.

You’ll take concept art from our art team and turn it into rigged, production‑ready 3D models that hold up under both stylized and photorealistic lighting — a core requirement given our current pivot toward a hybrid aesthetic.

This is a hands‑on, high‑ownership role. You won’t just be executing a fixed spec — you’ll be helping shape how our new visual direction translates from concept to screen, working closely with concept artists, riggers, and animators throughout.

Our Current Direction

• We’re actively pivoting from a strongly stylized anime style toward a blend of photorealism and anime aesthetics. For a sense of the target look:
• Reference 1: Nightway Fantasy on X — “I forgot to add my anime style lock 😅 Still came out ok!” (video showcase of anime‑influenced character work)
• Reference 2: “Desert Assassin – Game Ready” by Ida Faber on ArtStation (blended photorealism/anime aesthetic character model)

About Hexborn

Hexborn is our upcoming dark fantasy action RPG — a brutal blend of hack‑and‑slash combat, deep dungeon crawling, guild progression, and player‑driven rivalry set in a world consumed by an ever‑expanding corruption known as the Graveglass Blight.

• Players rise from an unknown mage into the leader of a legendary guild, mastering arcane combat, recruiting allies, forging relics, and descending into cursed ruins and large‑scale raids to uncover the truth behind their rare ability to fly.
• The demo is live now on Steam

We’re in the midst of an art direction shift — moving from a strongly stylized anime aesthetic into a blend of photorealism and anime influence. We need a character modeler who can help define what that new visual identity actually looks like in 3D, not just execute an existing style guide.

What You’ll Do

• Model 3D characters — heroes, guild allies, and enemies — from concept art through to final, game‑ready assets
• Execute both stylized and photorealistic character work as Hexborn transitions from a strongly stylized anime aesthetic toward a blended anime/photorealism look (see reference above)
• Translate 2D concept art into accurate, production‑ready rigged 3D models
• Build clean, animator‑friendly control rigs that make posing and animation efficient
• Collaborate with concept artists, animators, and riggers to maintain visual and technical consistency across the character roster
• Contribute to defining and documenting character pipeline standards as our art direction evolves

What You’ll Need

• Proven professional experience as a Character Artist in games, with a strong portfolio demonstrating humanoid and creature work
• Deep expertise in sculpting, retopology, UV mapping, and baking workflows
• Strong proficiency with industry‑standard tools: ZBrush, Maya/Blender, Substance Painter/Designer, Photoshop
• Solid understanding of human and creature anatomy, form, and proportion
• Experience with PBR texturing pipelines and modern material workflows
• Familiarity with rigging concepts and deformation requirements (joint placement, skinning, blendshapes)
• Experience implementing characters in Unity and optimizing them for real‑time performance
• Ability to work within an evolving art direction and iterate based on feedback
• Comfort working independently in a small, fast‑moving team where you’ll own your domain end‑to‑end

Nice to have:

• Basic Python scripting experience for building or customizing Blender plugins/tools
• Experience with Geometry Nodes

Perks & Tools (Hardware)

• MOVE AI markerless motion capture + Z CAM E2-M4 Cameras
• Faceware Mark IV mocap helmets for facial performance capture
• Industry‑grade workstation, built to spec

Benefits & Compensation

• Health & Insurance – Medical, dental, and vision insurance (often 100% employer‑covered for the employee, partial for dependents); Life Insurance
• Financial – 401(k) with employer match; Yearly Performance‑based Bonus
• Time Off – Unlimited PTO; Paid Holidays; Paid Sick Leave; Parental Leave
• Work Flexibility – Remote/hybrid flexibility; Flexible Working Hours / Core Hours Model
• Professional Growth – Learning & Development budget (conferences, courses, GDC tickets); Game Industry event passes (GDC, PAX, etc.)
• Wellness & Lifestyle – Wellness Stipend (gym, fitness apps); Free snacks/meals (for on‑site days once you go hybrid); Home office stipend (for the remote period); Free copy of the game + industry game budget/stipend
• Relocation – Relocation assistance or stipend (relevant once you transition to hybrid on‑site)

Work Arrangement

We’ll start fully remote for a 3–6 month grace period while you ramp up and get embedded with the team, then transition to a hybrid on‑site schedule.

Makeshift Software Inc. is the developer and publisher of Hexborn.