Who We Are
Founded in 2023, Small Axe Studios is 2K’s newest stand-alone studio, built to push the boundaries of game development and bring 2K’s next groundbreaking sports franchise to life. Headquartered in Burnaby, we are assembling a world-class team of visionaries, builders, and passionate gamers who thrive on creative collaboration, technical excellence, and bold ideas. At Small Axe Studios, we believe big things start with sharp focus—and we’re crafting an exceptional, player-first experience from the ground up. If you’re ready to tackle unique challenges, leave your mark on a brand-new IP, and help shape the future of interactive sports entertainment, we want you on our team!
What We Need
Our studio is looking for an experienced Gameplay Animator who has a high quality bar and a passion for replicating authentic sports behaviors. In this role, you will work closely with AI and Animation Engineers, Designers and Producers to implement authentic sports behaviors to build highly polished world – class gameplay for what will be the next massive sports franchise in our industry!
What You Will Do
- Work closely with the gameplay Animation Lead to ensure animation is on-brand, on-time and of professional quality.
- Collaborate with Designers to support the design for animation-based features
- Provide animation from the ideation stage through to final implementation of features.
- Be an organized individual and support production by staying on top of mocap shot lists and mocap reference.
- Deliver appropriate animations that support the strongest feature possible
- Collaborate with Engineers and Designers to influence the technical implementation of features
- Collaborate with the Animation Director to understand, and deliver on, the quality bar for the animations that you create
- Collaborate with the Design Lead and Engineering team to implement your features in engine
- Champion animation quality and authenticity within your features, bringing the animation perspective to all decision making
Who We Think Will Be A Great Fit
- A passion, and understanding of sports games
- Experience developing and shipping AAA games on Unreal Engine 4 or 5
- Experience working with on ‘second-to-second’ interactive animation features
- Player experience focused
- Open-minded, organized, proactive and collaborative
- Excellent understanding of human mechanics – specific to sports behaviors
Beneficial Qualifications
- Passionate about playing and/or watching sports.
- Passion for video games (not just ours)
The pay range for this position in British Columbia at the start of employment is expected to be between CAD $60,500 and CAD $89,540 per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an 'at-will position' and the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform their essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.
Please note that 2K Games and its studios never uses instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews, and when emailing, we only use 2K.com accounts.
#LI Hybrid
Skills Required
- Passion for and understanding of sports games
- Experience developing and shipping AAA games using Unreal Engine 4 or 5
- Experience with second-to-second interactive animation features
- Player-experience-focused approach
- Excellent understanding of human mechanics specific to sports behaviors
- Open-minded, organized, proactive, and collaborative working style
- Passion for playing or watching sports
- Passion for video games
2K Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Job postings consistently list medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, and mental‑health/wellbeing programs, indicating comprehensive coverage. Feedback suggests these offerings are a reliable cornerstone across roles even as other rewards vary by location.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Listings cite 14 paid holidays, 15–25 days of vacation or a discretionary time‑off program, up to 10 paid sick days, and paid parental and compassionate leave. Feedback suggests the breadth of time off compares favorably within games/tech.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Employees can participate in a parent‑company Employee Stock Purchase Plan typically at a 15% discount, with some roles also eligible for equity. Feedback suggests the ESPP adds meaningful value to the total‑rewards package.
2K Insights
What We Do
2K is headquartered in Novato, California and is a wholly owned label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO). Founded in 2005, 2K Games is a global video game company, publishing titles developed by some of the most influential game development studios in the world. Our studios responsible for developing 2K’s portfolio of world-class games across multiple platforms, include Visual Concepts, Firaxis, Hangar 13, CatDaddy, Cloud Chamber, 31st Union, and HB Studios. Our portfolio of titles is expanding due to our global strategic plan, building and acquiring exciting studios whose content continues to inspire all of us! 2K publishes titles in today’s most popular gaming genres, including sports, shooters, action, role-playing, strategy, casual, and family entertainment. Our team of engineers, marketers, artists, writers, data scientists, producers, thinkers and doers, are the professional publishing stewards of our growing library of critically-acclaimed franchises such as NBA 2K, 2K PGA, Battleborn, BioShock, Borderlands, The Quarry, The Darkness, Mafia, Sid Meier’s Civilization, Marvel’s Midnight Suns, WWE 2K, and XCOM. At 2K, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We encourage ALL applicants to explore our global positions, even if they don’t meet every requirement for the role. If you're interested in the job and think you have what it takes to work at 2K, we encourage you to apply!
Why Work With Us
We pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We push ourselves creatively to do the best work of our careers. We’re direct, open, and you’ll probably meet some new best friends – along with their dogs – sitting nearby. In short, it’s kinda awesome.
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2K Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
We are a blend of onsite, hybrid, and remote roles. Please refer to individual job descriptions for more details on location.
