Resume & Experience

LEI YANG

PROFILE

  • • Lead Animator with 15+ years of AAA game development experience, including multiple shipped Call of Duty titles
  • • Proven expertise in AI animation systems, motion capture direction, and animation pipeline design
  • • Strong leader of distributed teams, mentoring animators across international studios to deliver high-quality results
  • • Blends realism with cinematic impact to create immersive, responsive, and memorable gameplay experiences
  • • Highly technical, with deep proficiency in Maya, MEL scripting, rigging, and game engines

EXPERIENCE

LEAD AI ANIMATOR

INFINITY WARD, WOODLAND HILLS, CALIFORNIA

2021 – 2025

PROJECT: CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE II

PROJECT: CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE III

  • • Directed animation pipelines for gameplay NPC behaviors to meet AAA quality standards
  • • Supervised and developed a team of 5 animators (3 in Los Angeles, 2 in Poland), elevating artistic quality and technical efficiency
  • • Partnered with design and engineering teams to deliver realistic AI behaviors and immersive combat experiences
  • • Redesigned AI combat loop and reaction systems, improving NPC responsiveness and overall player immersion
  • • Oversaw motion capture shoots, capturing authentic military performances and streamlining asset integration
  • • Owned animation systems for all soldier and civilian AI, ensuring consistency and gameplay readability

CONTRACT LEAD ANIMATOR

ROGUE INITIATIVE STUDIO, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

2019 – 2021

PROJECT: UNANNOUNCED GAME PROJECT

  • • Designed and maintained animation pipelines, including rigging, skinning, and tool development, to streamline production workflows
  • • Led animation team remotely across multiple locations, providing mentorship, feedback, and direction to ensure alignment and quality

PROJECT: UNANNOUNCED MOVIE PROJECT

  • • Created Previz shots based on director's vision
  • • Created rigs, skinned mesh, and produced animations

CO-FOUNDER

SUPERFINE GAMES INC, DELAWARE

2017 – 2019

PROJECT: TINY SHEEP AR

  • • Created animation pipeline and assets for Unity

VFX SUPERVISOR

LEBUSISHU FILMS CO,.LTD, CHINA

2016 – 2017

PROJECT: GUNS AND KIDNEYS

  • • Planned and executed VFX shots to the director's vision
  • • Managed VFX team for onsite data collection and back plate shots
  • • Supervised post production VFX shots

SENIOR ANIMATOR

INFINITY WARD, WOODLAND HILLS, CALIFORNIA

2004 – 2015

PROJECT: CALL OF DUTY: INFINITE WARFARE

PROJECT: CALL OF DUTY: ADVANCED WARFARE

PROJECT: CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS

PROJECT: CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 3

PROJECT: CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2

PROJECT: CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE

PROJECT: CALL OF DUTY 2

  • • Contributed AI, cinematic, and vehicle animations across five major Call of Duty titles, from Call of Duty 2 through Infinite Warfare
  • • Vehicle rigging and skinning
  • • Led development of dog "Riley" animation assets, a signature gameplay feature, collaborating with one other animator on design, creation, and implementation
  • • Drove the design and creation of snowmobile animation assets, ensuring gameplay integration and polish
  • • Owned creation and implementation of animation assets for the level "The Coup," driving cinematic impact
  • • Spearheaded the "Pointe Du Hoc" massive beach invasion scene for the E3 showcase, delivering a high-visibility feature under tight deadlines