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The Lodgge Podcast

Welcome to The Lodgge Podcast. Each episode we will be welcoming a different uniquely talented guest to talk about a variety of topics. Our goal is to showcase the immense knowledge, diversity, and skill that Ontario video game and interactive entertainment studios have to offer. Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the industry, its members, and the projects they create.

Recent Episodes

  • Episode 25 — Jason Loftus

    In this season finale, we chat with the CEO and Executive Producer at Lofty Sky Entertainment Jason Loftus! We discuss their upcoming title Sky of Tides, the team’s award-winning documentary Eternal Spring (長春), and lots more!

Previous Episodes

Careers

Looking to start a new adventure? The Lodgge Careers will be showcasing available positions from around Ontario. We will be adding careers throughout the week, so make sure to check in often. Each post includes a direct link to the official career posting, so you can apply in no time!

  • Rockstar Toronto

    Responsibilities

     

    • Create stunning animations that are responsive and support the overall player experience.
    • Work closely with the design team to create immersive experiences.
    • Implement, troubleshoot, and debug animation systems in-engine.
    • Help improve animation pipelines.

    Qualifications

     

    • Bachelor’s degree in Art/Animation or equivalent experience.
    • Minimum 1 year of experience animating video games.
    • Outstanding demo reel (preferably demonstrating biped gameplay animations,in-game and in real time)

    Skills

     

    • Positive, solution-oriented individual, with deep-rooted interest in video games, and game development
    • Exceptional skill in animating the human figure to create realistic character animations.
    • Strong understanding of development issues in getting animations into a game.
    • Ability to bring innovation and resolution to technical problems and challenges throughout production.
    • Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work closely with Artists, Designers and Programmers.

    PLUSES

    Please note that these are desirable skills and are not required to apply for the position.

    • Practical knowledge of programming languages (Python, C# / C++, etc.).
    • Advanced knowledge of MotionBuilder and motion capture.
    • Professional experience developing third person action games.
    • Practical knowledge of state machines and motion trees.
  • Sinn Studio

    Responsibilities

    • Develop and execute comprehensive social media strategies to elevate the brand in the XR gaming space across platforms (Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, X, TikTok, etc.) including elements such as posts and interactive media.
    • Align content with brand voice, optimize for platform-specific trends, and manage paid campaigns (Meta Ads, Google Ads) to boost engagement and expand reach.
    • Coordinate content production to ensure timely, cohesive messaging across platforms.
    • Foster a positive environment by actively engaging with players, moderating discussions, and relaying social media community feedback to our team.
    • Organize social media initiatives, and activities to strengthen relationships and encourage player participation.
    • Be prepared to attend live events (occasionally evenings and weekends), community engagements, and promotional activities, capturing and sharing content to enhance real-time brand visibility.
    • Plan, execute, and analyze social media campaigns, tracking KPIs (e.g., ROAS) and optimizing strategies.
    • Monitor community sentiment and engagement, refining strategies to improve the player experience.
    • Edit, produce, and/or manage high-quality video content for social media, including short-form clips (ie. for Instagram, and YouTube), ensuring all content aligns with brand voice and aesthetics.
    • Capture gameplay footage to engage and inform the audience, maintaining a polished and professional standard.
    • Other related duties as required.

    Qualifications

    If the following sounds like you, and you’re interested in joining a growing start-up, we want to hear from you! Interested but don’t meet all qualifications? We welcome you to apply anyways, we love to hear from people who are ecstatic about working in the XR industry and how it’s evolving.

    • 5+ years of experience in social media; a proven track record in developing and executing social media strategies, managing campaigns, and fostering community engagement, particularly in the XR or gaming space.
    • Extensive experience with social media platforms (X/Twitter, TikTok, Youtube, Instagram) and current content trends.
    • Proficient with social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite), content creation software (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite), and analytics tools.
    • Understanding and applied experience with varying social media population sizes (up to thousands) and community-building tools.
    • Excellent written, interpersonal, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to connect with diverse audiences.
    • Experience in social media video editing for a related role (ie. streamer, creator, and influencer) with a proficiency to create visually engaging content.
    • Producing and editing skills, with the ability to create/curate engaging content across various formats.
    • A data-driven approach, translating KPIs and community feedback into actionable strategies.
    • Passion for gaming, XR, and a deep understanding of the industry, including current trends and best practices.
    • Comfortable working in a virtual environment and using VR headsets for extended periods.

    Added Advantages

    • Experience with PC and console experience preferred over mobile.
    • Post-secondary education in Marketing, Communications, other related fields or relevant experience.
    • Proficiency in video editing and motion graphics software (ie., Premiere, After Effects) and familiarity with design tools (ie. Canva, Figma, Adobe Suite)
    • Strong project management skills and experience working with cross-functional teams.
    • An authentic understanding and passion about games / working in the industry.
  • Digital Extremes

    Responsibilities

    • Follow and on occasion help to define art direction through collaboration with the Creative Director and Art Director
    • Work closely with the Art Director while collaborating with the Level Design team to understand and balance the artistic and gameplay direction of the project to ensure the successful execution of game’s visual and technical design on a level by level basis
    • Use analytical thinking and the defined art sets, props, visual FX and lighting techniques to design visually dynamic and technically efficient environments that support the narrative and gameplay goals of the level
    • Use traditional 2D and 3D art skills in the production of environments, including the construction of high level compositions and proxy models from which final assets will be built
    • Work closely with the Level Design team to fulfill the primary feature requirements of the game as it relates to the artistic goals of a level, and contribute to the team’s goal of reaching the project’s vision. Ensure the visual quality of each environment through tuning, bug fixing, and play-testing
    • Collaborate with artists, engineers and designers to ensure effective integration of art, game design, and technology
    • Work as a team member with production and development, promoting creative thinking processes within the team and integrating their input to translate the game vision into gameplay reality
    • Review levels for visual integrity, playability, and fun factor while considering the creative direction, game play, and the target platforms
    • Contribute innovative and original ideas toward all aspects of the game’s production and development
    • Deliver work on time and according to schedule as prepared by the Art Director and Producer
    • Engage with the entire production team to stay current on the scope and understanding of the project
    • Actively participate in the feedback loop including accepting feedback from and providing feedback within the art and level design team as required
    • Multitask effectively, prioritize competing demands, and trouble-shoot any issues relative to the role that may arise

    Requirements

    • College diploma or University degree in 3D, Game Development, Graphic Arts, Fine Arts or similar field
    • 3 years’ of relative experience in the creation of game environments and a strong understanding of game engine fundamentals such as performance optimization, and game engine tools
    • A portfolio of your own work which demonstrates a diverse range of environment types and an ability to tell a story through composition, staging, and lighting
    • The ability to learn new software quickly, including our proprietary game engine
    • Exemplary oral and written communication skills
    • A genuine enthusiasm and interest in video games
  • Ubisoft Toronto

    The daily life of a Producer at Ubisoft Toronto:

    Production Management

    • Define, present and follow up on the development strategy for the game;
    • Define the scope and deliverables of the project;
    • Manage the budgets for the project;
    • Build an inter-project network and optimally organize the work plan;
    • Manage risks and approve contingency plans;
    • Follow up on projects and communicate status to executives;
    • Meet with external collaborators.

    Market

    • Work with the Brand/Product Director to define the game’s market positioning;
    • Ensure alignment on all deliverables to ensure successful marketing plans to support the game throughout production and into launch.

    Content

    • Create an environment that fosters and encourages team members to bring the best ideas forward for the project;
    • Ensure that the creative direction meets the quality standards for the game and target market;
    • In collaboration with technical teams, make technology choices that support the game vision and development (tools and engine);
    • Ensure that teams optimize technology and best practice sharing;
    • Ensure that the game meets quality standards.

    Team Management

    • Establish the team structure and support the project team;
    • Help define talent needs for the project and recruit the best candidates;
    • In collaboration with the leads and managers on the project, ensure that the team is engaged and working efficiently;
    • Foster and take an active role in the career development of team members.

    Qualifications

    • Minimum 10 years of project management experience in a game development environment;
    • Have shipped a minimum of one AAA game title in a Producer or Lead Producer role;
    • Must have demonstrated the ability to deliver large, complex projects (quality standards, budget constraints and effective team output);
    • An inclusive, influential, and inspiring leadership style that allows you to rally people around a vision and engage distributed teams of varying sizes;
    • Experience advocating for the project with different stakeholders, including business, publishing, first-party and media;
    • The capacity to cast a clear long-term vision and put in place the key milestones to make it a reality.
* Looking to post a position? Contact our comms team and lets make it happen!

Upcoming Industry Events

We scour the web for industry events so that you don’t have to! Whether you are a growing indie studio, a student looking to network, or simply a fan of video games, we have an event for you. Filter by city, event type and much more in our fully customizable event calendar. New events will be added weekly so make sure to check back in regularly to keep up with the latest in the industry.

*Is your event missing? Contact our comms team and let’s change that.