VickyGame animation can make or break your video game’s visual impact, and the fastest way to improve quality is to hire game animators who understand gameplay timing, rigs, and engine constraints. Whether you’re building a pixel art indie title or a cinematic 3D adventure, knowing where to hire game animators saves you weeks of trial and error. In this guide, you’ll find the best websites to source game animation talent, what each platform is best at, and how to shortlist animators who can ship production-ready work for Unity or Unreal.
Best Websites to Hire Game Animators
1. Twine
Twine is a leading freelance marketplace designed for creative industries, making it ideal for hiring game animators. You can post your project, browse portfolios, and receive tailored pitches from professional animators who specialise in 2D, 3D, and motion design for games.
Why clients choose Twine:
- Focused on creative professionals
- Access to indie-friendly, experienced animators
- Budget-based project posting
- Direct communication with freelancers (no hidden fees)
Best for: Teams who want pre-vetted creative specialists, fast shortlists, and project-based pricing.
💡 Tip: Before you post, use our guide on how much game animation costs to set a realistic budget and attract senior talent.
2. ArtStation
ArtStation is a visual-first platform where you can find game animators showcasing professional reels and assets. Many have experience on AAA and indie titles, making it a great place to discover specialists in rigged animation, cutscenes, and cinematic sequences.
Why it works:
- Portfolio-first approach
- Easy to search for 2D, 3D, rigged animation, and VFX
- Many artists are actively looking for freelance gigs
3. Upwork
Upwork is a massive freelance marketplace with a wide range of skills, including game animators. The platform lets you post a job, receive proposals, and filter candidates by hourly rate, experience, and reviews.
Feature | Benefit for Clients |
|---|---|
Talent Pool Size | Very large (global) |
Filtering Options | By rate, experience, tools used |
Built-in Tools | Time tracking, contracts, escrow |
Ideal For | Long-term or complex projects |
4. Fiverr
Fiverr is best for smaller projects or affordable game animation tasks like sprite loops, UI transitions, or VFX. It’s ideal if you want quick delivery or need test animations before committing to full production.
Why it’s popular:
- Wide range of pricing (starting at $5)
- Easy comparison between different “gigs”
- Ideal for one-off animation needs
💡Tip: Use Fiverr for prototypes and single deliverables, but for full character sets or combat systems, confirm file formats (FBX, spritesheets), rig compatibility, and revision limits before ordering.
5. DeviantArt
While not a traditional freelance platform, DeviantArt’s job forums are a goldmine for connecting with talented 2D artists and animators. You can post your brief and let animators pitch their work to you.
Why it’s worth a look:
- Home to passionate artists and animators
- Great for hand-drawn or unique art styles
- No platform fees
DeviantArt’s job forums can connect you with passionate 2D artists who excel at unique animation styles perfect for narrative or stylized games. For creative studios, this is a great way to find artists who think outside the box.
How to hire well on DeviantArt: Post a paid brief with references, ask for 10–15 seconds of motion examples (not just stills), and confirm whether they can deliver game-ready exports (spritesheets, layered files, or engine-ready formats).
6. LinkedIn
On LinkedIn, you can hire freelance game animators by searching relevant keywords (“2D game animator”, “Unity animator”) and filtering for freelance or contract roles. Message them directly to discuss availability, rates, and past game experience.
Benefits:
- Direct contact with talent
- See full professional background
- Good for long-term collaboration
Best for: Studios looking for vetted professionals or those open to remote/contract roles.
Comparing the Top Sites to Hire Game Animators
Platform | Best for | Pricing model | Fastest way to hire | Typical friction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Twine | Creative industry specialists | Project-based | Post a brief, review pitches | Low, curated talent |
ArtStation | Portfolio discovery | Direct contact | DM shortlist from reels | Medium, outreach heavy |
Upwork | Large freelancer pool | Hourly or fixed | Job post + proposals | Medium to high screening |
Fiverr | Quick budget deliverables | Gig-based | Purchase a defined gig | Medium, scope limits |
DeviantArt | Unique hand-drawn styles | No platform fees | Job post in forums | Medium, vetting required |
LinkedIn | Long-term contracts | Negotiable | Recruit + DM outreach | Medium, slower replies |
Final Tips for Hiring Game Animators
- Confirm game-readiness: Ask if they’ve animated for real-time engines (Unity/Unreal), not just film.
- Request the right deliverables: FBX + textures, spritesheets, Spine files, or Unity animation controller setup (specify what you need).
- Check pipeline fit: Rig type, naming conventions, frame rate, loops, root motion vs in-place, and export settings.
- Review motion, not only stills: Reels should show idle, run, jump, attack, hit-react, and transitions.
- Run a paid test task: One loop or one short shot with 1–2 revision rounds to validate communication and timing.
- Set feedback rules: Define who approves, how many revisions, and what “done” means (engine import, in-game playback, polish pass).
Conclusion
The best results come from hiring animators who understand gameplay constraints, not just good-looking motion. Pick the platform that matches your workflow: curated specialists when you need speed and reliability, portfolio platforms when you want a specific style, or marketplaces when you need flexible budgets and ongoing support.
🎮 Ready to start? Post your project for free on Twine and get matched with vetted animators experienced in Unity, Spine, and Unreal Engine.
Related Reads:
Raksha
