Overview
Arkadium is seeking an experienced Game Artist to support one of our top clients, Microsoft, on a suite of top-performing games in collaboration with the Microsoft Casual Games team.
The Microsoft Casual Games (MCG) Studio is focused on delivering the best casual games for Windows, Web, and Mobile platforms. Dedicated to delivering quality game experiences to worldwide fans. In this role you will be accountable for developing visual assets and collaborating with cross‑functional teams to create engaging, high‑quality art that enhances the gameplay experience. You will partner with multidisciplinary teams in day‑to‑day efforts, contributing to the visual direction, production pipeline, and final delivery of game art.
Candidates must be available to work standard hours from 09:00 to 18:00 in the Western European Time (WET) zone — (Portugal time zone), where most of the Engineering and Product teams are based.
Additionally, candidates must be open to occasionally working U.S. hours to accommodate key cross-timezone meetings.
For candidates not residing in Portugal, you will be onboarded as a contractor through our international payroll provider.
Responsibilities
* Collaborate with Engineering, Production, and fellow artists to deliver high‑quality visual assets across 2D and/or 3D casual games
* Conceptualize and create original assets in alignment with Microsoft's visual and branding standards
* Participate in an iterative design process by collecting and implementing feedback from stakeholders and peers
* Provide accurate time estimates for art tasks and communicate proactively about progress and blockers
* Continuously grow expertise in relevant art tools and technologies to streamline production and improve visual quality
* Maintain organized file structures and naming conventions to support efficient team workflows
* Support the integration of assets into development pipelines in close collaboration with engineering teams
* Contribute to team discussions, reviews, and playtests to enhance the quality of art and overall game experience
* Stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices to drive visual innovation in casual game development
Requirements
* Bachelor's degree in Art, Game Design, or related field, OR equivalent experience
* 3 to 5 years of experience as a Game Artist or in a similar role
* Strong portfolio demonstrating polished 2D or 3D art, ideally in casual or mobile games
* Proficiency with industry‑standard tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Spine, Blender, or Maya
* Experience working in Agile or Scrum-based development environments
* Solid understanding of visual storytelling, color theory, composition, and animation fundamentals
* Experience preparing and optimizing assets for cross-platform performance
Nice to have
* Experience with UI/UX design in games
* Familiarity with Unity or similar engines for asset integration
* Understanding of shader creation or technical art workflows
* Exposure to version control systems such as Git or Perforce
* Interest or experience in creating animations or VFX for games
Benefits
We offer:
* Competitive compensation with structured performance and career development check-ins
* Health insurance
* Additional budget for conferences you are interested in
* Personal development budget to fuel your passions and desire to learn (Arkadians are taking classes in not only Excel and leadership, but also interior design and even swimming)
* Time off from Christmas Eve through New Year's Day so we can all enjoy the holidays
* A unique culture of transparency, true teamwork and fun
* Summer Fridays: Fridays off throughout the Summer to have more fun in the sun
The above benefits may vary depending on location or country.
This is a 1‑year, temporary contract position. Candidates outside of Portugal will be engaged via Arkadium's international payroll provider.