Ability to manage others, especially 3D Game Artists * Ability to work with and provide constructive criticism and feedback to 3D Models and Textures * Knowledge of Physically-based Rendering (PBR ...
Ability to manage others, especially 3D Game Artists * Ability to work with and provide constructive criticism and feedback to 3D Models and Textures * Knowledge of Physically-based Rendering (PBR ...
Provide contextual visual support for gameplay design throughout development. Offer mentorship ... artists, fostering their growth and career development. Partner with Producers to plan, schedule ...
Provide contextual visual support for gameplay design throughout development. Offer mentorship ... artists, fostering their growth and career development. Partner with Producers to plan, schedule ...
Senior Game Producer, Amazon Games
$141K - $143K/yr
In this role you will lead game development, organizing milestones and schedules, aligning product ... You'll also be innovating new ways for users to play games, working closely with designers, artist ...
Senior Game Producer, Amazon Games
$141K - $143K/yr
In this role you will lead game development, organizing milestones and schedules, aligning product ... You'll also be innovating new ways for users to play games, working closely with designers, artist ...
Provide contextual visual support for gameplay design throughout development. * Offer mentorship ... feedback to internal artists, fostering their growth and career development. * Partner with ...
Provide contextual visual support for gameplay design throughout development. * Offer mentorship ... feedback to internal artists, fostering their growth and career development. * Partner with ...
Provide contextual visual support for gameplay design throughout development. * Offer mentorship ... feedback to internal artists, fostering their growth and career development. * Partner with ...
Provide contextual visual support for gameplay design throughout development. * Offer mentorship ... feedback to internal artists, fostering their growth and career development. * Partner with ...
Senior Game Producer, Amazon Games
$141K - $143K/yr
In this role you will lead game development, organizing milestones and schedules, aligning product ... You'll also be innovating new ways for users to play games, working closely with designers, artist ...
Senior Game Producer, Amazon Games
$141K - $143K/yr
In this role you will lead game development, organizing milestones and schedules, aligning product ... You'll also be innovating new ways for users to play games, working closely with designers, artist ...
Provide contextual visual support for gameplay design throughout development. * Offer mentorship ... feedback to internal artists, fostering their growth and career development. * Partner with ...
Provide contextual visual support for gameplay design throughout development. * Offer mentorship ... feedback to internal artists, fostering their growth and career development. * Partner with ...
Gameplay Engineering Lead
Cary, NC · On-site
$100K - $132K/yr
They are seeking a Lead Gameplay Programmer to drive core gameplay features and support collaborative development between programmers, designers, and artists, while building impactful experiences ...
New
Gameplay Engineering Lead
Cary, NC · On-site
$100K - $132K/yr
They are seeking a Lead Gameplay Programmer to drive core gameplay features and support collaborative development between programmers, designers, and artists, while building impactful experiences ...
New
Senior Game Producer, Amazon Games
Seattle, WA · On-site
$141K - $143K/yr
In this role you will lead game development, organizing milestones and schedules, aligning product ... You'll also be innovating new ways for users to play games, working closely with designers, artist ...
Senior Game Producer, Amazon Games
Seattle, WA · On-site
$141K - $143K/yr
In this role you will lead game development, organizing milestones and schedules, aligning product ... You'll also be innovating new ways for users to play games, working closely with designers, artist ...
Lead Environment Concept Artist
Cary, NC · On-site
$117K - $135K/yr
What You'll Do Epic Games is searching for an experienced Lead Environment Concept Artist to support and supervise environment concept content created by external partners as part of our ...
Lead Environment Concept Artist
Cary, NC · On-site
$117K - $135K/yr
What You'll Do Epic Games is searching for an experienced Lead Environment Concept Artist to support and supervise environment concept content created by external partners as part of our ...
... game, ensuring they are balanced and fun to play. Requirements What we will do together: * Develop and oversee multiplayer match mechanics and features. * Work alongside other designers, artists ...
... game, ensuring they are balanced and fun to play. Requirements What we will do together: * Develop and oversee multiplayer match mechanics and features. * Work alongside other designers, artists ...
OR · On-site
Insomniac Games is searching for a Lead Visual Effects Artist. The Lead VFX Artist is responsible for managing and developing a visual effects team. Has the knowledge and experience of creating art ...
OR · On-site
Insomniac Games is searching for a Lead Visual Effects Artist. The Lead VFX Artist is responsible for managing and developing a visual effects team. Has the knowledge and experience of creating art ...
Lead Artist - Digital Gaming
$96K - $137K/yr
Develop, refine, and execute high-quality art assets across multiple mobile game projects ... Minimum of 5+ years of experience as a Lead Artist or above in the mobile game industry. * Proven ...
Lead Artist - Digital Gaming
$96K - $137K/yr
Develop, refine, and execute high-quality art assets across multiple mobile game projects ... Minimum of 5+ years of experience as a Lead Artist or above in the mobile game industry. * Proven ...
Lead Artist - Digital Gaming
El Segundo, CA · On-site
$96K - $137K/yr
Develop, refine, and execute high-quality art assets across multiple mobile game projects ... Minimum of 5+ years of experience as a Lead Artist or above in the mobile game industry. * Proven ...
Lead Artist - Digital Gaming
El Segundo, CA · On-site
$96K - $137K/yr
Develop, refine, and execute high-quality art assets across multiple mobile game projects ... Minimum of 5+ years of experience as a Lead Artist or above in the mobile game industry. * Proven ...
Lead Character Artist
Santa Monica, CA · On-site
$170K - $200K/yr
You will have a direct impact on the visual identity of our games, bringing characters to life with stunning detail and artistic excellence. Core Responsibilities * Lead the character art team in the ...
Lead Character Artist
Santa Monica, CA · On-site
$170K - $200K/yr
You will have a direct impact on the visual identity of our games, bringing characters to life with stunning detail and artistic excellence. Core Responsibilities * Lead the character art team in the ...
Lead Character Artist
$170K - $200K/yr
You will have a direct impact on the visual identity of our games, bringing characters to life with stunning detail and artistic excellence. Core Responsibilities * Lead the character art team in the ...
Lead Character Artist
$170K - $200K/yr
You will have a direct impact on the visual identity of our games, bringing characters to life with stunning detail and artistic excellence. Core Responsibilities * Lead the character art team in the ...
Lead Gameplay Programmer
Cary, NC · On-site
... game designers, producers, and artists. They will play a critical role in feature development for ... Lead the vision for different gameplay systems and features * Propose and review architecture ...
Lead Gameplay Programmer
Cary, NC · On-site
... game designers, producers, and artists. They will play a critical role in feature development for ... Lead the vision for different gameplay systems and features * Propose and review architecture ...
Plan and lead Digital Arts classes, workshops, and events * Teach digital illustration techniques ... Teach game design principles including concept development, level design, and basic programming
Quick apply
Plan and lead Digital Arts classes, workshops, and events * Teach digital illustration techniques ... Teach game design principles including concept development, level design, and basic programming
Plan and lead Digital Arts classes, workshops, and events * Teach digital illustration techniques ... Teach game design principles including concept development, level design, and basic programming
Quick apply
Plan and lead Digital Arts classes, workshops, and events * Teach digital illustration techniques ... Teach game design principles including concept development, level design, and basic programming
JR Counselor
Warwick, RI · On-site
... games, arts & crafts, swimming, and more. They help keep campers engaged, support group management, and ensure a fun and safe environment. Key Responsibilities * Help set up and lead games ...
Quick apply
JR Counselor
Warwick, RI · On-site
... games, arts & crafts, swimming, and more. They help keep campers engaged, support group management, and ensure a fun and safe environment. Key Responsibilities * Help set up and lead games ...
Lead Game Artist information
See salary details
$14.49 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$10.58 - $16.24
36% of jobs
The median wage is $18.08 / hr.
$16.24 - $21.90
43% of jobs
$21.90 - $27.56
10% of jobs
$27.56 - $33.22
4% of jobs
$33.22 - $38.88
1% of jobs
$38.88 - $44.54
1% of jobs
$44.54 - $50.20
0% of jobs
$50.20 - $55.86
0% of jobs
$55.86 - $61.52
4% of jobs
$61.52 - $67.18
0% of jobs
$67.18 - $72.84
1% of jobs
$10
$25
$72
How much do lead game artist jobs pay per hour?
As of Jun 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for lead game artist in the United States is $25.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What does a Lead Game Artist do?
A Lead Game Artist is responsible for overseeing the visual aspects of video game development, ensuring that the game's art style aligns with the creative vision. They manage a team of artists, delegate tasks, and provide feedback to guarantee high-quality assets like characters, environments, and animations. Additionally, they collaborate with other departments, such as game designers and programmers, to ensure a cohesive visual experience. Their role often involves mentoring junior artists and making key decisions about tools, pipelines, and workflows.
What is the difference between Lead Game Artist vs Character Artist?
| Aspect | Lead Game Artist | Character Artist |
|---|---|---|
| Responsibilities | Oversees visual style, manages art team, sets artistic direction | Creates detailed character models, textures, and concept art |
| Required Skills | Art leadership, project management, strong artistic portfolio | 3D modeling, anatomy, texturing, character design |
| Work Environment | Collaborative, team leadership, multi-disciplinary | Focused on character creation, close collaboration with animators and designers |
| Industry Usage | Used across game studios for art direction roles | Specialized role within character and asset teams |
The main difference is that a Lead Game Artist oversees the entire visual art direction and manages the art team, while a Character Artist specializes in creating detailed character models and assets. Both roles require strong artistic skills, but the Lead Game Artist also emphasizes leadership and project management.
How does a Lead Game Artist typically collaborate with other departments during game development?
A Lead Game Artist works closely with other departments such as game design, programming, and animation to ensure visual assets align with gameplay requirements and project vision. They participate in regular cross-team meetings to provide artistic input, address technical constraints, and maintain consistency in the game's visual style. Effective communication and feedback are crucial, as the Lead Game Artist often bridges the gap between creative and technical teams, resolving issues that arise during development and helping to prioritize tasks. This collaborative approach helps deliver a cohesive and visually appealing final product.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead Game Artist, and why are they important?
To thrive as a Lead Game Artist, you need advanced artistic skills, a strong portfolio in game art, and experience with visual design principles, often supported by a degree in art, design, or a related field. Mastery of industry-standard tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Maya, Blender, and game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine is typically required. Leadership, collaboration, and effective communication skills help manage and inspire art teams while aligning creative vision with project goals. These abilities ensure the delivery of high-quality visuals and cohesive artistic direction, which are critical for a game's success and player engagement.
More about Lead Game Artist jobs
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What job categories do people searching Lead Game Artist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Lead Game Artist jobs are:
Job description
Company Description
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.
Job Description
In this volunteer position you will be managing, and review the 3D work of, a team of other talented 3D Artist who work on a variety of high-quality, textured 3D assets for the The Lays of Althas: Sundered Order (LoA:SO), a PC Game in development for PC. We are looking for someone knowledgeable with creating 3D Models and Textures and a good eye for critique.
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.
Other duties include following team policies (given through team orientation as upon acceptance to the team) as well as attending meetings through Slack (our instant message program that we use to communicate)
This is a volunteer position, so no monetary compensation is being offered. We also cannot offer any work visas. We are only looking for spare-time hours.
At this time, we are having to rely upon free (or previously licensed) software. Please refer to the applications listed below for guidelines. We do not endorse piracy in any shape or form.
Qualifications
Good Communication and Team-collaboration skills is a must
Ability to manage others, especially 3D Game Artists
Ability to work with and provide constructive criticism and feedback to 3D Models and Textures
Knowledge of Physically-based Rendering (PBR) experience for game modeling/sculpting required.
Knowledge of working with low-poly/game-ready assets required.
Knowledge of Texturing (Diffuse, Normal, Displacement etc).
A passion for game development
Additional Information
Recommended 3D Modeling Software (1 or more):
Autodesk 3DS Max / Maya
Blender
Pixologic ZBrush / Mudbox
Recommended 2D Image Software (either or both):
- Photoshop (CS4 and up)
- GIMP
If you are missing any, we can help provide you with software.
Also recommended experience with Unreal Engine
About Epoch Games
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
Industry
Pc games
Company size
1 - 10 Employees
Headquarters location
Winston-Salem, NC, US
Year founded
2013