3D Game Artist / Animator Needed for WebGL Browser Game — Long-Term Opportunity

We are looking for a talented 3D Game Artist / Animator / Game Art Generalist to help improve the visual quality of a browser-based game prototype. The game is already playable as a demo. The core game logic and development are handled by our team. Now we need an artist who can help us make the game look more polished, cinematic, and professional. The visual direction is inspired by a stylish action/heist theme with a premium, high-contrast look: dark atmosphere, gold, metal, dramatic lighting, police/action tension, particles, and clean readable characters. This role is focused on the 3D visual design of the game scene: characters, environment, animations, lighting, materials, and FX. The assets must look good on both mobile and desktop/laptop web browsers. This is not a backend, game logic, or full frontend development job. UI and integration will be handled by our development team, but we expect the artist to consider mobile and desktop composition when creating the 3D scene. We will share the full game brief, prototype link, and detailed requirements only with shortlisted candidates. An NDA may be required. What we need help with: - Improve or redesign the main 3D character - Create or polish character animations - Improve the main game environment - Create supporting props and scene elements - Improve lighting, materials, and overall mood - Create simple but professional visual effects such as particles, smoke, sparks, glow, and action effects - Prepare optimized game-ready assets for real-time browser use - Export clean GLB / glTF files for WebGL integration - Provide source files such as Blender, Maya, Max, or similar Required skills: - 3D game art - Character modeling - Rigging and animation - Environment art - PBR texturing - Blender, Maya, 3ds Max, ZBrush, or similar tools - GLB / glTF export - WebGL, Three.js, Unity WebGL, or mobile game asset optimization - Ability to create attractive assets that are also lightweight and performance-friendly Bonus experience: - Browser games - Mobile games - WebGL / Three.js projects - Stylized realistic or cinematic game art - Action, heist, police, vault, or crime-themed visuals - Casino-style or risk/reward games Important: We are an early-stage team with a careful startup budget. We prefer to start with a small paid test milestone first. If the quality, communication, and workflow are good, we can continue with the full visual polish of this game. We also have 4 additional games planned in our pipeline, so this can become a long-term or even permanent collaboration for the right person. Suggested first milestone: - Review the current prototype privately - Suggest the best visual improvement plan - Improve one key character or one key scene element - Deliver one optimized test asset - Provide source file and exported GLB / glTF - Confirm that the style and workflow fit the project After the test milestone, we can agree on the full scope for the first game and then discuss ongoing work for future games. Deliverables may include: - 3D models - Character rig - Animation clips - PBR textures - GLB / glTF files - Source files - Particle / FX textures - Short delivery notes explaining the files and animations Commercial rights: All work must be original or properly licensed for commercial use. We require full commercial rights for the final delivered assets. Please do not use stolen models, unlicensed marketplace assets, or copyrighted materials. Application questions: 1. Please show examples of real-time 3D game assets you created. 2. Have you created optimized assets for WebGL, Three.js, Unity WebGL, or mobile games before? 3. Can you do both character animation and environment art, or do you specialize in one area? 4. What software do you use? 5. Can you export clean GLB / glTF files? 6. Are you comfortable signing an NDA before seeing the full brief? 7. Are you comfortable transferring full commercial rights to the final work? 8. What would you suggest as a small first test milestone? 9. What is your estimated price and timeline for the first test milestone? 10. Please start your proposal with the word HEIST so we know you read the full description. We are open to freelancers globally. Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and similar time zones are welcome. English or Russian communication is fine. We are looking for a practical, reliable artist who can help us improve the current prototype step by step and potentially work with us across several future games.