According to Harvey Newman, there’s no shortage of people who want to be gameplay animators — it’s just that many of them don’t quite know what the job entails.
Newman knows. He’s a seasoned animator in the video game industry, currently working as a gameplay animation director at U.K. developer Build a Rocket Boy. In a new Youtube video, he describes his relatively young profession and provides tips for prospective animators, drawing inspiration from the sorts of applications his company receives. Watch the video below:
Newman stresses that gameplay animation — which is distinct from cut-scene animation in games — combines artistry with a technical understanding of game engines. People need both to do this job. They must also demonstrate a passion for gaming; a love for animating is not enough.