Jeffrey Thorne is a Principal Technical Artist at Firesprite, where he leverages nearly three years of experience in a AAA PlayStation studio alongside over a decade of expertise in software development for film visual effects (VFX). His unique blend of skills positions him at the...
Jeffrey Thorne is a Principal Technical Artist at Firesprite, where he leverages nearly three years of experience in a AAA PlayStation studio alongside over a decade of expertise in software development for film visual effects (VFX). His unique blend of skills positions him at the intersection of art and technology, allowing him to create immersive and visually stunning gaming experiences. At Firesprite, Jeffrey has been instrumental in implementing and profiling advanced materials that enhance the realism of characters and environments. His work includes developing layered materials for landscapes, crafting seamless tileable textures, and employing normal-corrected triplanar projection techniques. Additionally, he has innovated effects such as rain droplets and wetness simulations, which significantly elevate the visual fidelity of the games.
One of Jeffrey's standout projects involved the creation of a look development tool that integrates controlled lighting and physically-based rendering (PBR) validation. This tool, developed in collaboration with both the lighting and character teams using Unreal Engine Blueprints and C++, has streamlined workflows and improved the overall quality of the visual output. His technical prowess extends to R&D, unit testing, and the development of plugins that enhance production efficiency. As an enthusiastic game developer, Jeffrey also explores mobile game development using Unity and Godot, with several titles published on app stores, showcasing his commitment to pushing the boundaries of interactive entertainment. With a PhD in a relevant field, his academic background further enriches his contributions to Firesprite, making him a vital asset in the pursuit of innovative gaming solutions.