Stingbot Games is looking for an experienced freelance 3D environment artist to help complete environments for our upcoming indie horror game, Victor's Video Vault (VVV). VVV is a first-person horror game inspired by 90s video stores, featuring a gritty, low-poly aesthetic with PSX-inspired visuals and pixel-art textures.

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING

This position requires demonstrated experience creating 3D low-poly / PSX-style artwork with pixel-art textures. Your portfolio or submitted samples must include work that demonstrates this style or something closely comparable.

If you cannot provide relevant 3D work samples, please do not apply. We will not consider applications based solely on an applicant's confidence that they can adapt to the style.

Project

This contract focuses entirely on environment art.

You'll be responsible for creating various 3D environments including:

• Dark hallways
• Rooms and intersections
• Environmental storytelling
• Props and set dressing
• Architectural pieces
• Modular assets where appropriate

There are no character models, animation, or VFX required for this position at this time.

The initial contract is expected to consist of approximately 3 months of freelance work, with the potential for additional work afterward based on project needs and fit.

Art Style - Relevant Portfolio Work Required

We're specifically looking for someone who can closely match our existing visual style.

This is not modern stylized low poly.

The style is:

• PSX-inspired
• Low poly
• Dark and gritty
• Pixel-art textures
• Horror atmosphere
• Realistic proportions with retro visual limitations

Relevant portfolio work is required. General 3D modeling experience alone is not sufficient for this position. Applicants must be able to demonstrate previous work using pixel-art textures and/or a closely comparable retro 3D aesthetic.

Please review the Steam page before applying to ensure you're comfortable matching the established look.

Requirements

• Strong Blender (or equivalent 3D software) experience
• Demonstrated experience creating low-poly, game-ready 3D environments
• Demonstrated ability to create convincing pixel-art textures for 3D assets
• Portfolio examples showing work relevant to the visual style described above
• Strong understanding of modular environment construction
• Ability to closely match an existing art direction
• Good communication and reliability

Software workflow is flexible.

Our lead artist primarily uses Blender and Aseprite, but you're welcome to use the tools you're most comfortable with.

Technical Requirements

The project is developed in Unity.

Assets should generally be delivered as:

• .FBX files
• Optimized geometry
• Efficient UV layouts
• Texture atlasing where practical
• Shared materials whenever possible across large environment sets
• Clean pivots and organization suitable for Unity

Optimization is important. We value artists who think about performance while building environments.

Paid Art Test

Applicants who are seriously considered for the position will be asked to complete a small paid art test before the full contract is awarded. The test will be used to evaluate style matching, technical execution, communication, and ability to work within the established visual direction.

Payment

This is a paid freelance contract.

While we're happy to hear your typical hourly rate for estimation purposes, this project will ultimately be bid and contracted on a project basis, not hourly.

The final project scope will be discussed only after we've identified artists who are a strong stylistic and technical fit. At that point, we'll provide the necessary design details so an accurate project quote can be prepared.

Payment will be divided into mutually agreed-upon milestones and issued within 72 hours of milestone approval.

Bonus

Experience with any of the following is a plus:

• PS1 / PSX-style games
• Retro horror aesthetics
• Unity workflows
• Modular environment kits
• Texture atlasing and optimization

AI Policy

• All submitted work must be created by the artist using traditional digital art and 3D modeling tools.
• By applying for this position, you acknowledge that any assets delivered for this project will be original works created by you and will not contain AI-generated visual content.

How to Apply

Please include:

• A link to or image of the single portfolio piece that best demonstrates your ability to match the 3D visual style of Victor's Video Vault
• Your full portfolio
• Your typical hourly rate (for estimation purposes only)
• Your availability over the next few months
• Any questions you may have

Applications without relevant 3D work samples will not be considered. Please do not apply if your portfolio does not demonstrate low-poly 3D artwork with pixel-art textures or a closely comparable visual style. We are not considering applicants based solely on their willingness to learn or confidence that they can reproduce the style.

Please note: We are only looking for a 3D environment artist for this contract. We are not seeking concept artists, character artists, illustrators, or other art disciplines at this time.

We're looking for someone who values consistency, efficiency, reliability, communication, and attention to detail just as much as artistic ability.

We look forward to seeing your work!