Alice in the Swimming Pond
Spicy Horse internal headcount broke the 50 mark a few weeks back. As we approach 60 we’re looking for three very special people to fill three very special roles at the studio. These openings are at our Shanghai-based studio – so being hired means living/working in China. Read on if you’re an experienced game artist, like the idea of working in Shanghai, and want to be involved with some of our cool projects (like Alice 2).
Interested parties should drop a line: jobs (@) spicyhorse (dot) com
You can see all our current openings on the Spicy Horse website.
Here are the job descriptions:
ART DIRECTOR
Your job is to direct and manage the creation of next-gen 3d art assets for our games. You must be experienced in modeling software and game engines, but also in leading a team and documenting procedures and specifications. You will interface with outsource partners and also communicate with producers and other departments. You will work with other art directors and art leads. Overall, your goal is to increase the technical and aesthetic quality of our in-game art, while also keeping our team and workflow as efficient as possible.
– Experience working with Unreal Engine 3 or similar
– Proficient in Max, Photoshop and Zbrush. Maya expertise is a plus.
– Experience working at or with an outsource vendor
– Ability to create new techniques and optimizations, and document them for other artists and art teams
– Good attention to detail
– Experience leading a team
– Good communication skills
– Must be either fluent in Mandarin with basic English skills, or fluent in English.
ART PRODUCER
Your job is to manage both the internal art pipeline and the use of external art outsource partners. You should be an expert at keeping dozens of creative people organized, scheduled, and in communication. You must be able to improve the pipelines and adapt to problems, and have great attention to detail. You will work with producers, the Art Director and other creative leads and help make sure their visions and ideas are put into practice on schedule and at the expected quality. In particular, you will be the point of contact with multiple outsource partners, making sure their output meets our expectations.
– Must be experienced in people management and scheduling
– Experience at either a games developer or outsource studio required
– Must have initiative and a keen sense for organization
– Experience as a 3d artist is a big plus
– Must be fluent in Mandarin and have good English skills.
3D ARTIST
You are an experienced 3d artist. You are able to create high poly, low poly and texture work for both characters and props. You have a high attention to detail, but can you also work fast when required. You are interested in creating high quality work in a variety of art styles, and are able to learn new techniques.
– Proficient in Max, Photoshop and Zbrush. Maya expertise is a plus.
– Minimum 1 year experience in the games industry.
– Experience with Unreal Engine 3 or similar a big plus
– Creative and interested in new techniques and art styles
– Good team work and communication skills
47 responses to “Hiring – Three for Art”
Bugah.
i can’t work just yet,
Ken told me i’m not ready yet.
but good luck.
hi, american mcgee. i am NOT a big fan of
yours. for I AM a disney fan. so your big
boo-boo mistake is taken my heart.
to name a few: snow white, alice, mulan,
and pinnoccio have been taken hostage by
you. AND I DON’T WANT THEM TO BE LIKE THIS ANYMORE!!! and plllleeease for Walt Disney’s sake and mine, set them free.
Thank you.
toomuchevil (hence my username, EVIL)
i love your Alice soooooo much that i have been searching for all the things about this game and you all these days after i ended the game…this game is so amazing!!!!
Expect for your new work, especially the Alice II!!!
Hello, im spanish, and I want to request a wish, please.
Recently, I download from Internet American Mcgee Alice, I love the game, and I want to know all the history.
I want to read the Alices diary in the manual instruction, but my game is download of Internet (so it havent the manual and the diary),
where can I find this diary?
Very Thanks
you stole the game from the internet. and now you’re asking me where to find the manual?
haha. that’s truly… retarded.
but seriously, you can easily find the casebook and manual if you just search. use google.
it works!
hi. glad to hear you AREN’T a fan. we don’t get enough of those around here!
as for your complaint… you named a long list of stories and characters… NONE of them created by disney.
in fact, what i’m “doing” to these tales is closer to the original stories (in most cases) than anything ever created by disney.
you like disney’s interpretation of these stories. to each his own.
Hi there,
I recently received this comment on threadless regarding my latest submissions there, and although I’m not sure what ‘Frikinawesome’ is getting at, I figure what the hell…and decided to contact you.
FRICKINAWESOME on May 26 ’09 I really don’t think of Hansel and Gretel when i see two children in the middle of a city scene….i honestly think you’re on to something in the concept and style of this re-telling of the classic fairy tale….you should contact American McGee and try to become the lead conceptual artist for a modern Hansel and Gretel game!
The link to one of the desins is:
from there you should be able to see the others, although there is one still pending approval in the Hansel & Gretel, ‘lost children’ series. The images are taken from lithography stones I was working on for a series as part of my BFA
Cheers
Kim
I remember seeing this game on the shelf at staples when I was a kid.
I always wanted to buy it, but I never did (back then I couldn’t even run it). Only recently I just flat out bought the first copy I saw on pure impulse, remembering that old desire, and I have to say it’s the most imaginative and enjoyable games I’ve ever had the chance to play.
However, every game you’ve made I’ve since played (excepting Alice, and Grimm) was explicitly terrible. (no offense.)
Realty is brutally cruel, and most old fairly tales are an artistic, encrypted, and further obfuscated play on the fact. To each his own, indeed, or it was off with ones head (back then anyway).
I don’t know what exactly you’re embarking on (be it a remake or Alice 2). I’m really looking forward to seeing what your art department, script writers, programmers, and especially you, decide to do. The bar may be set pretty high, but you don’t need to aim directly at it to keep (most of us) happy. What I tell you three times is true.
reality is some of those “terrible” games weren’t things i “made”. but i get blamed for them anyway. cruel happens.
we’re making a sequel.
three times, huh?
what is that “model”? yikes.
anyway, the image is cool. but no matter how much i might like it, i cannot *touch* hansel and gretel. EA banned me from it ages ago, claiming i’d thought of some ideas for it while i was their employee. i don’t remember such. but i’m not one to fight with giants. especially when they’re paying the bills.
Ah! I see now. The “American Mcgee Presents xxx” was misleading. That really must have sucked. Anyway, “What I tell you three times is true” was a quote from one of Lewis Carroll’s books, I have no idea which, It just rhymes and popped into my to mind. I’ve been up way too long if you were awake to answer me.
Best regards, and I can’t wait for more updates (especially in the jobs section). At this point being in America is getting really repetitive in the games department for some time now. Good luck!
model bad I know, but was just one of the sub kit pics. Thanks for taking the time to have a look….EA suck, intellectual property should have a short claim period. Keep being a brillig slithy tove!
you could always do it as ‘babes in the woods’!!! Or is that too close to H&G to get away with it?
Im new in the Alice franchise, and sadly I stil havent had the honor of playing it. But I’ve seen videos photos and I simly love the game. Trully an unique and original way of showing Wonderland.
I have to thank my friend who showed taught me about your Alice. She made me a fan. And recently she told me about a sequel. I flipped! I cant wait to see what sort of twisted horror will you put Alice through. So I wish you best of luck with this and future projects.
And speaking of the old Alice game. Will we see a copy for consoles? A remake perhaps? either way, I trust you’ll figure something out.
So again, best of luck!
I have never been able to find Grimm. Can anyone provide info where I can find this for Mac? Looking forward to Alice 2.
Thanks.
grimm was mainly released via gametap. you can still find it there.
there is no version of grimm for the mac.
Will Alice 2 be released for the Mac? Or do I see a purchase (of something) in my future?
No plans for Mac at this time. If you want it, tell EA!
Spicy Horse wouldn’t happen to take on college students as interns would they?
Advertise this on DeviantArt, it’s an online community for artists areound the world. There’s even one or 2 American McGee’s Alice fanclubs there.
STFU toomuchevil, Disney is partly to blame for washing out stories that were originaly told between bored housewives & never intended for children.
I am a photographer and editor myself, and I bought Alice a few years ago. After playing through it I thought it was one of the most atmospheric games I have played.
Anyway. I know this question must have been asked a million times already, but is there any word on who’s doing the soundtrack? I just heard the original soundtrack by Chris Vrenna again and man, it kicks ass!
Good luck with developing part 2 American! Hope you find the addition to your staff.
American McGee,
Just wanted to let you know my heartfelt appreciation for giving new breadth to Lewis Carroll’s classic. When I first saw the game hit the store shelves almost a decade ago, I knew that it was a game I wanted in my library.
I was so drawn into the story and the gameplay was just challenging enough to not interrupt it. I was so impressed with the game that I bought the limited edition Alice & Cheshire Cat figurines as a prized memento of a twist of my most favorite childhood story. Thanks for the great game and I’m looking forward to your next installment.
Hi American, I saw on your Twitter page that you had a question in regards to the how many guys and girls played the original Alice game. I can tell you as a guy, I loved playing the Alice when it came out and consider it a classic of my all-time favorite games, hope this helps your question 🙂 Oh, and btw good luck on Alice 2 I can’t wait for the sequel!
word will come soon. it will make everyone happy.
possible. as testers. later. if you are serious interested, then please email jobs@spicyhorse.com
Hi, unlike many other posts I’m dissapointed to find here this is from real fans, and we’re beyond excited for the new game. The snail from the “lobster quadrille” looks like yet another brilliant re-imagining and expansion of the original works, and we can wait to see what else your talents create. Stay true to your artistic visions and dont be bothered by the ignorance of those whose miss the brilliance of your imagination. The only requests we might have are of coarse to keep us updated and maybe consider another line of kick ass figures!
Hey McGee! Love the game but do you think the movie will really be released on 2010? or will it be pushed back again? and if it would be released at 2010 wouldn’t it pretty much fight against Tim Burton’s Alice? sorry if it seems like I’m asking a lot of questions haha
Mr Mc Gee, Is it true that a Possible REMAKE of Alice is Coming out for the next gen?
that’s what the internets, this blog, and all kinds of other sources say. now you can say it too.
I Just wanted to tell u that i am a huge fan of the Alice Series and i am BEYOND excited for the new installment
I Would absoloutely love to come work with u in shanghai but alas im stuck here in the U.S. TT^TT
and I Highly Doubt U Need any help
But i have read both the books cover to cover numerous times
and if u ever need help with storyline or new ideas for the storyline, levels or characters
I Would Love to Contribute Some Ideas
Rich 😀
thanks for posting this blog…!
___________________
Rozydesouza
Get 28 movie channels for 3 months free
toomuchevil, you really make me weep for the future. GTFO the internet, kay?
McGee, I cannot wait for this game! Granted, I’m a little worried about how you guys are going to construct the storyline and etc. this time around, but I have faith that it’s going to kick ass! 🙂
Aw, hell yeah! I loved Alice so hard! I can’t wait for number 2. Also, if your taking suggestions (I don’t know if your the type to take suggestions from people posting on you blog on the Internet, but I’ll make a suggestion anyways :D), don’t include the Satanic stuff. It kinda killed the atmosphere in Alice. I mean, it takes place in Alice’s mind, right? So what’s with all the pentagrams and ‘Demon Alice’ and stuff? I don’t get it. Is Alice Satanic or something. Seems unlikely. Really bugged me. But I’m sure the game will be awesome, just because you made it :D.
Aw man… If I didn’t have another year left in school I would be applying right now. But no matter what I know you’ll find amazing talent to fill these positions. Especially with the devoted following Alice has.
Keep up the excellent work, I can’t wait for the new installment to come out. These little blogs are just enough to satiate my appetite for Alice.
I was wondering what your opinion on Tim Burton’s new “Alice” film is? Are you happy or upset…considering that the plot is a little like the plot of your game.
Like my favorite storybook heroine…I’m just curious.
I wish people would actually read the books before they criticize someone of making them “dark”. Just because Disney made them “Happy Fluffy” doesn’t mean they’re true to canon.
Regardless, I’m looking forward to the Alice sequel. I’d love to see it compiled with Wine-lib so that it would work under Linux, but I’m not going to hold my breath. 😀
I’m probably far to late but if your still looking for ideas “the Wasp in the Wig” has always been one of wonderlands darkest chapters and while the ommision is easy to overlook it could be carefully re-introduced to the story. I find this esspecially effective as the wasp is deffinately one of the most bittter and unsavoury of wonderlands characters.
If you need a german-speaking editor, let me know 😛
Wow. I just heard about this. So slow. Anyway really enjoyed the first game, can’t wait for the next. 😀
Well I would very much like to be able to work on the trailer if that would ever be possible? Haha.
http://www.youtube.com/user/nadelline
the wasps might just make an appearance 🙂
Fantastic! I was reminded of the vile parameters of this character at work last week when we came across a massive parasitic wasp flying around the site. What horrible looking creatures. A co-worker had me youtube thier bizzare effects on caterpillar, nature can be so obscurely fierce!
I managed to kill one of these horrible things at work this week and I set up a flikr page with some pictures for you under the username “wonderlost1”. These are not your everyday paper wasp, and are unlike any I could find on the internet, though it is definately of the pasasitic strand. This one is from northern Alberta in Canada, and definatly is worth a look, please take a glance! The last of the 4 photos is by far the best, enjoy!
correction: “parasitic”
lol
Where can I get a print?
Hello Mr. McGee! I’m insanely excited to have found this blog, in fact I just made my own to leave a response to your blog. I just came out of the theaters showing Burton’s Alice, and I was heavily disappointed. I played your interpretation of Alice at 11, and I fell in love. The art and the story were fascinating, and I’ve never forgotten it. I was so excited that a movie may possibly come out, but then it seemed to fade away. Then Burton skipped along and did his thing and, well, I’m none too happy.
Anyway, I’m ecstatic that this game is being created! I wish I could help, but I’m about to enter college. I don’t have much experience in anything, I only have ideas. I wish I knew more about the business to consider taking up a job offer. Will there be a call for testers? I’d gladly help if it’s possible. I really do wish I could apply, but I’m not at that level. Being young is such a pain.
This blog was made so long ago too. Ugh. I’ll be an optimist and hope for a reply, but I’d rather you be too busy working on that game for you to notice my post. 😉 Cheers!
-Nilya
I love Alice and the theme you have created for the game so much that I am booked in to get all of your characters permently etched into my entire left arm.
I especially admire the detailed Queen of Hearts drawing in one of your gallerys.
So I thank you for providing me with the amazing artworks in which to create ideas for my tattooist to work with.
– Cass xxx