The animation programmers are the people who program the animations the 3D animators created so usually the Animators and the animation programmers work alongside each so they can create the perfect animation, the Animation programmers are the people are able to put the different parts of the animations the Animitors created into a game where they are able to but them together in a way there is a neat transition when you press the button corrosponding to the action used sometime animation programmers are required in a CGI film because if they cannot afford a Mo cap actor they have to use the animators and the 3D animators to help them make it seem like they used MO cap artists
Some job requirments from a company:
Strong C/C++ skills
At least 2 years of programming experience with emphasis on game characters, or in film character animation, or in postgraduate animation research
Ability to work within a schedule
Ability to work well as part of a collaborate development team
Self-motivated with a strong work ethic
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering or Computer Science, or equivalent work experience
Additional skills / experience desired
At least one published console game
Professional experience on 1 or more character based games.
AI experience
Physics programming experience
Multi-threaded programming experience
Xbox 360 / PS3 experience
Preferred commercial experience
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Current economic climate in the Games Industry
The recession has effected everything in the world an unfortunatly for us the Game Industry is not invincible