Ricardo Hoyos Arias
Ricardo Hoyos Arias
Senior Technical Level Artist / Level Designer
(World Citizen) Colombia, United States, New Zealand

About

As a Senior Technical Level Artist, I possess a wealth of experience working with Unreal Engine, In-House Engine and Unity Game Engine. My expertise lies in researching and utilizing real-time technologies and cross-platform development to create highly-detailed environments and landscapes. My passion for storytelling drives me to constantly learn and experiment with new techniques in order to push the boundaries of what is possible.

Throughout my career, I have gained a wide range of skills including Level Design, Lighting, Performance, Technical Art, and Level Art. These experiences have allowed me to continually improve and develop a deep appreciation for orchestrating the design and visualization of environments. My goal is to push the limits of knowledge, innovation, and technology in order to achieve excellence in my work.

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Skills

Environment DesignGame DesignMap DesignLevel ArtLevel DesignWorld BuildingShadersTeam ManagementProject ManagementUnityUnreal

Software proficiency

Unity
Unity
Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine
Gaea
Gaea
World Machine
World Machine
Megascans
Megascans
Blender
Blender
Jira
Jira
Quixel Suite
Quixel Suite
Premiere
Premiere
Substance 3D Painter
Substance 3D Painter
Photoshop
Photoshop
Mixer
Mixer
Slack
Slack

Reel

Productions

    • Video Game
      Kingmakers
    • Year
      2024
    • Role
      Sr Level Artist
    • Company
      EQ Games - IP Builders
    • Video Game
      Path of Exile 2
    • Year
      2024
    • Role
      Sr Technical Artist / Sr Level Designer
    • Company
      Grinding Gear Games
    • Video Game
      Path of Exile Mobile
    • Year
      2023
    • Role
      Sr Technical Artist / Sr Level Designer
    • Company
      Grinding Gear Games
    • Video Game
      Legends of the Mara - Otherside by YugaLabs
    • Year
      2023
    • Role
      Sr Unreal Artist
    • Company
      Possible Productions
    • Movie
      Starfall by Illenium
    • Year
      2023
    • Role
      Senior Environment Artist
    • Company
      TunjaYork
    • Video Game
      Once Upon a Puppet
    • Year
      2024
    • Role
      Sr Lighting Artist
    • Company
      Flatter Than Earth
    • Video Game
      Farcana
    • Year
      2023
    • Role
      Sr Level Designer / Level Artist
    • Company
      Farcana Studio - Farcana Labs
    • TV Production
      Peyton & Eli Manning’s Super Bowl LVI Party
    • Year
      2022
    • Role
      Environment Artist
    • Company
      Girraphic
    • TV Production
      The Cube - Eurosport Production Hosted by Discovery +
    • Year
      2022
    • Role
      Environment Artist
    • Company
      Girraphic - Discovery +
    • Video Game
      Fortnite
    • Year
      2017
    • Role
      Level Artist - In Game Broadcasting
    • Company
      Girraphic - Epic Games
    • Video Game
      Alvo VR
    • Year
      2022
    • Role
      Level Artist / Technical Performance
    • Company
      Mardonpol Inc / OutsideIn Entertainment
    • Video Game
      TwilightStar: Heart of Eir
    • Year
      2023
    • Role
      Environment Art / Asset Supervisor
    • Company
      DragonClaw Studios
    • Book
      Escape From Virtual Island
    • Year
      2020
    • Role
      Environment Artist
    • Company
      Amazon Audible
    • Video Game
      Gold Fever: The Promised Land
    • Year
      2023
    • Role
      Level Artist - Technical Designer
    • Company
      Bitter Cherry Productions
    • Video Game
      Ghosts of Tabor: Loot, Evade, Survive
    • Year
      2023
    • Role
      Level Designer / Artist
    • Company
      Combat Waffle Studios
    • Video Game
      Asian Sky Group Virtual Exhibition and Conference
    • Year
      2021
    • Role
      Environment Artist
    • Company
      Sino Jet - Mytaverse
    • Video Game
      Sands of Aura
    • Year
      2021
    • Role
      Project Manager
    • Company
      MLC - Chashu Entertainment
    • Video Game
      Kalyskah
    • Year
      2023
    • Role
      Environment / Lighting Artist
    • Company
      Kalyskah Team
    • Video Game
      Soar: Pillars of Tasneem
    • Year
      2023
    • Role
      Lighting Artist
    • Company
      Hadi Soufi
    • Video Game
      Kainga: Seeds of Civilization
    • Year
      2021
    • Role
      Project Manager
    • Company
      Green Man Gaming
    • Video Game
      Felineage
    • Year
      2024
    • Role
      Level Artist
    • Company
      Felineage
    • Video Game
      Expedition Zero
    • Year
      2022
    • Role
      Project Manager
    • Company
      Enigmatic Machines
    • Video Game
      Monster Layer
    • Year
      2023
    • Role
      Project Manager - QA
    • Company
      Monster Layer
    • Video Game
      Kiraverse
    • Year
      2023
    • Role
      Level Artist
    • Company
      Param Labs
    • Music Video
      Aurora by Ethan Castro
    • Year
      2021
    • Role
      Cinematic Artist
    • Company
      Edge Sound Research
    • Video Game
      Nifty Ville
    • Year
      2022
    • Role
      Cinematic Artist
    • Company
      Onessus
    • Video Game
      Hostile Mars
    • Year
      2022
    • Role
      Level Artist - Procedural Artist
    • Company
      Big Rook Games
    • Video Game
      Demon Knights of Ankhoron
    • Year
      2024
    • Role
      Level Designer
    • Company
      Archon Forge Games
    • Video Game
      Elysium VR
    • Year
      2021
    • Role
      Level Artist
    • Company
      RAV3 Inc.
    • Video Game
      Cartels
    • Year
      2022
    • Role
      Level Artist
    • Company
      Calroot Digital
    • Video Game
      HeadCount
    • Year
      2022
    • Role
      Level Designer / Artist
    • Company
      Monochrome Inc
    • Video Game
      Dragon Ball: Demon Breaker
    • Year
      2020
    • Role
      Environment Artist
    • Company
      Saiya-Slash Team
    • Video Game
      Enmity VR
    • Year
      2024
    • Role
      Environment / Lighting Artist
    • Company
      Unlit Games
    • Video Game
      Virtuverse
    • Year
      2023
    • Role
      Cinematic Artist
    • Company
      Virtuverse AB
    • TV Production
      Green Carpet Fashion Awards 2020
    • Year
      2020
    • Role
      Environment / Lighting Artist - Performance QR
    • Company
      Northouse Productions
    • Video Game
      LB - 2
    • Year
      2023
    • Role
      Level Artist
    • Company
      Everfall Games
    • TV Production
      America's Got Talent
    • Year
      2020
    • Role
      Environment / Lighting Artist
    • Company
      All Of It Now - NBC
    • Video Game
      Tomboy Adventure
    • Year
      2022
    • Role
      Level Artist
    • Company
      Tomboy Drive
    • Video Game
      Vela: The War God
    • Year
      2022
    • Role
      Project Manager
    • Company
      Fun Levels
    • Video Game
      Sinespace
    • Year
      2019
    • Role
      Level Artist
    • Company
      Sine Wave Entertainment
    • Video Game
      Civil Contract
    • Year
      2019
    • Role
      Cinematic Artist
    • Company
      CapitalGamingRP Studios
    • Video Game
      Fault
    • Year
      2020
    • Role
      Level Artist
    • Company
      Strange Matter Studios
    • Video Game
      Hero Syndrome
    • Year
      2020
    • Role
      Lighting Artist
    • Company
      Big Rook Games
    • Video Game
      TOFH: Alchemist
    • Year
      2020
    • Role
      Senior Level Designer
    • Company
      Exiled Republic Studios
    • Video Game
      Six Temples
    • Year
      2019
    • Role
      Senior Environment Artist
    • Company
      Camel Cup Graphics
    • Video Game
      Landieval: Survive to Play
    • Year
      2020
    • Role
      Senior Level Designer
    • Company
      Vexle Studios
    • Video Game
      Aldian Of Ancients
    • Year
      2020
    • Role
      Senior World Designer
    • Company
      Norian Games
    • Video Game
      The Mechanical World of Dr. Gearbox
    • Year
      2020
    • Role
      Senior Level Designer
    • Company
      Hidden Pathway
    • Video Game
      Banners Of Altrus
    • Year
      2020
    • Role
      Senior World Designer
    • Company
      Banners Of Altrus
    • Video Game
      Among Ruins
    • Year
      2019
    • Role
      Senior Game Designer
    • Company
      Vulpe Arcana
    • Video Game
      Akuarium
    • Year
      2019
    • Role
      Level Designer
    • Company
      Fan Studio
    • Video Game
      Day To Night: A VR Survival Experience
    • Year
      2020
    • Role
      Level Artist
    • Company
      WildOx Animation Studios
    • Video Game
      Drop In: Battle Royale VR
    • Year
      2020
    • Role
      Level Artist
    • Company
      WildOx Animation Studios
    • Video Game
      SCP: Containment Breach
    • Year
      2017
    • Role
      Level Designer
    • Company
      Northwood Studios
    • Video Game
      Ethereal: Clash of Souls
    • Year
      2020
    • Role
      Lead Level Designer / Artist
    • Company
      Undying Games
    • Video Game
      Beyong Mankind
    • Year
      2021
    • Role
      Level Designer/Artist
    • Company
      Brytenwalda Studios
    • Video Game
      Left Alone - Mental Island
    • Year
      2015
    • Role
      Level Designer
    • Company
      U8 Team

Experience

  • Sr Technical Artist - Sr Level Designer at Grinding Gear Games
    Auckland, NZ
    April 2023 - December 2023

    Grinding Gear Games was founded in November 2006 in Auckland, New Zealand. Its founding members come from various countries and have a selection of diverse backgrounds ranging from artificial intelligence and software security to industrial design to professional tournament game play. We are currently developing Path of Exile, a competitive online action RPG. Much more information about this project is available at www.pathofexile.com As veterans of various online role playing games, we understand what is required to make a compelling action RPG with visceral combat and a complex item economy.

    • Find innovative solutions to optimize the rendering cost of assets, ensuring visual fidelity while using an in-house engine

    • Measure and analyze performance pipelines, providing insightful directions and recommendations for further improvements.

    • Set up comparisons with high‑end platforms, defining and implementing the necessary requirements to achieve optimal performance and visual standards.

    • Analyze internal tools and contribute to their enhancement, streamlining workflows and optimizing efficiency.

    • Evaluate in‑engine art pipelines to ensure they align with industry best practices and employ the appropriate expertise.

    • Identify and troubleshoot bugs in both personal and team‑generated work, ensuring a smooth and polished final product.

  • Technical Cinematic Artist at Ballast Technologies
    San Francisco, US
    April 2022 - Present

    Ballast builds attractions for waterparks and resorts, that boost revenue and wow guests with memorable experiences. Ballast uses proven VR technology to generate new revenue streams that have resulted in 900,000+ paid activations in 15 countries.

    Accomplishments:

    • Spearheaded the preparation and production of captivating cutscenes, creating immersive storytelling experiences for guests/users.

    • Demonstrated expertise in cinematic scene composition, skillfully arranging elements such as characters, props, and environments to create visually stunning and coherent sequences.

    • Adapted slide tracks effectively, seamlessly integrating narrative and gameplay elements into cinematic presentations, considering physical implications of it.

    • Brought scenes to life through dynamic camera animation, utilizing a keen eye for cinematography to enhance emotional impact and storytelling.

    • Apply the right rendering techniques to achieve high-quality visuals, ensuring that each frame conveys the desired atmosphere and mood.

    • Character rig retargeting and animation setup, to chieve realistic and expressive performances in multiple chharacters.

    • Collaborated closely with other departments, fostering effective communication and coordination to ensure seamless integration of cinematic elements with gameplay and overall project vision.

  • Game Design Professor at STEM Regional Chapter at National University of Colombia
    Manizales, Colombia
    November 2022 - May 2023

    The National University, ranked as the best university of the country, had the chance to manage the process of creation of multiple inside minimum viable projects and enterprise spin-off related business solutions related with augmented reality, mixed reality and virtual reality for different audiences, giving courses of good code practices, architecture patterns, technical debt, project management, and different technologies for daily software development in Unity 3D and Unreal Engine.

    Accomplishments:

    • Conducted lectures for students at UNAL on Unreal Engine, Unity Engine, Game Design, and 3D Art

    • Developed and delivered a series of remote classes on topics such as Unreal Engine Level Art, Houdini Basics, Lighting Art, and Performance Optimization.

    • Mentored students by providing challenging projects and assignments to drive their growth and development

    • Facilitated interactive Q&A sessions and conducted comprehensive portfolio reviews to support students in their progression and improvement.

  • Senior Level Artist at Farcana
    Dubai, United Arab Emirates
    July 2022 - October 2022

    Responsible for creating stunning environments using the best technologies possibles and research on new ways to improve the know-how for environment creation, lighting and performance at one of the most exciting projects in the Web 3 GameFi sector.

    Farcana is a blockchain-based GameFi project with the original Play-to-Hash economic model patented in the US. The game economy is supported by its own Bitcoin mining hash rate, resulting in more stability and transparency. Gamedev in Farcana relies on R&D and AI technologies by Farcana Labs. The game is a high-quality shooter with a Bitcoin prize pool, its own NFT marketplace, and regular tournaments.

    Accomplishments:

    • Expertly planned, scoped and constructed game levels, ensuring high quality and player engagement.

    • Skillfully executed lighting design and performance optimization to enhance the player experience.

    • Developed comprehensive documentation and prototyping for level design to ensure project success and efficiency.

    • Conducted meticulous level balancing and arcade-oriented set dressing to create immersive and enjoyable gameplay.

    • Efficiently planned, designed, and executed multiplayer levels to provide a rich, multiplayer gaming experience.

  • Unreal Engine Artist / Designer at Girraphic
    Sydney, New Shouth Wales, Australia
    October 2021 - January 2022

    At Girraphic we are firm believers in the power of an idea and providing technical innovation and expertise to help create, explore & bring ideas to life. I'm was in charge of the in-engine art process, including technical and researching through the potential of new features on Unreal Engine. As well, it includes the whole pipeline regarding world creation, environment art & technical art

    • Successfully established and configured virtual production scenes, ensuring seamless and efficient workflow.

    • Expertly prepared virtual scouting and virtual camera sessions, providing exceptional visuals and performance.

    • Consistently optimized and debugged virtual production systems to ensure high-quality results and project success.

    • Skillfully executed lighting art, cloth simulation, and wind set up on Unreal Engine to enhance the virtual environment.

    • Built and created environments from start to finish using the full pipeline, from Blender to Unreal.

    • Worked with leading clients such as NFL, Eurosports, and Fortnite Creative to deliver top-notch results and exceed expectations.

  • Lead Environment Designer - Technical Artist at Magna Ludum Creative
    Remote, United Kingdom
    April 2019 - October 2021

    MLC is a creative outsourcing studio based in the UK. Focus on providing a wide range of creative services for indie game developers. I mainly deal with the level art for games and technical art for virtual productions.

    https://magnaludumcreatives.com

    Accomplishments:

    • Expertly placed and designed various procedural encounters while collaborating with engineering to create data tables and challenging gameplay experiences within the game levels.

    • Skillfully directed, implemented, and tuned exciting level design mechanics, ensuring consistent application across all project clients.

    • Crafted visually stunning game environments by designing and implementing intricate layouts that guide players through a diverse range of points of interest and biomes. Worked closely with artists to develop custom looks and tools for accelerated creation.

    • Set up open world and local lighting for real-time or baked stages, elevating the overall visual experience for players.

    • Proactively established new team and pod structures to streamline workflow, boost creativity, and improve the quality of our world-building process. This approach has proven highly effective in the current remote work environment.

    • Expanded the team by attracting and mentoring new talent to build a world-class art department, elevating the overall quality and capability of the organization.

  • Level Design / Level Artist at Freelance Work
    Remote, Colombia
    January 2014 - Present

    As a highly experienced Level Artist / Designer, I have a proven track record of delivering top-notch results. My passion for technology and programming has driven me to take on challenging projects and consistently produce high-quality work.

    One of my key accomplishments includes implementing innovative level design mechanics to enhance gameplay experiences for all project clients. My expertise in crafting visually stunning game environments has led to a more immersive player experience. Additionally, I have successfully set up effective lighting systems for real-time and baked stages, elevating the overall visual appeal of the game while working as Freelancer for different projects

    Accomplishments:

    • Implemented innovative level design mechanics to enhance gameplay experiences for all project clients.

    • Crafted visually stunning game environments through careful design and implementation, leading to a more immersive player experience.

    • Set up effective lighting systems for real-time and baked stages, improving the overall visual appeal of the game.

    • Streamlined workflow, increased creativity, and improved quality by establishing new team and pod structures.

    • Built a world-class art department by attracting and mentoring new talent, resulting in elevated capability and performance of the organization.

  • Creative Director at LevelTouch Studios
    Colombia
    May 2017 - February 2019

    LevelTouch is a dynamic and ambitious company, specializing in the development of high-quality video games. The team is made up of skilled developers who are passionate about their craft and strive to constantly push the boundaries of what is possible. With a focus on innovation and excellence, LevelTouch is dedicated to delivering top-standard products that exceed the expectations of their customers. Whether working on cutting-edge technologies or exploring new creative avenues, the team at LevelTouch is always pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the world of video games.

    Accomplishments:

    • Collaborated with Art Director and CTO on various video game projects, delivering top-notch results.

    • Worked closely with the CEO to communicate and justify conceptual and directional choices, ensuring the success of each project.

    • Demonstrated versatility and leadership skills by supporting a range of internal and external initiatives while maintaining a focus on quality, message coherence, and a positive working environment.

    • Guided and motivated subordinates to meet Leveltouch Studios standards of creative excellence, timeliness, and profitability, contributing to the overall success of the organization.

    • Actively worked towards achieving the goals of Leveltouch Studios, demonstrating a strong commitment to the company's mission and vision.

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