Remote Narrative Designer & Writer (Freelance)

BKOM Studios; Fredericton; Remote; CAD 55,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

BKOM Studios is seeking a freelance Narrative Designer and Writer to craft immersive storytelling for a video game. You will shape the story, dialogue, and in-game texts, ensuring consistency with the game's vision and quality.

Remote or hybrid work in Quebec City, Canada, with a flexible freelance contract through March 2027 and opportunities for extension.

Qualifications

• Experience in game narrative design and delivering shipped narrative content.
• Ability to translate narrative concepts into engaging in-game moments.
• Strong dialogue writing skills for character interactions and quest lines.
• Proven ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across production.
• Comfort with critiquing and iterating narrative based on playtest feedback.

Responsibilities

• Champion narrative strategy and quality across the entire game.
• Collaborate with Creative Director to establish strong story arcs for chapters.
• Craft dialogue and moments that reflect the Pathfinder world and characters.
• Write sharp, impactful dialogue for in-game scenes.
• Plan environmental storytelling with clues and dramatic reveals.
• Envision how to unfold major storytelling moments like boss arena entries.
• Communicate the narrative vision to the team and stakeholders.
• Integrate and test narrative content within levels using technical tools.

Skills

Narrative design

Storytelling

Dialog writing

Collaboration

Feedback handling

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Twine

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Narrative Designer and Writer (Freelance) is a specialist in the art of storytelling in video games, driven by the desire to create immersive and memorable experiences for players.

They are an expert in narrative gameplay, capable of translating narrative concepts into captivating in-game moments. They are responsible for crafting the story, dialogue, item descriptions, and other narrative texts. They act as a key link between the narrative vision and its concrete implementation in the game, ensuring maximum narrative consistency and quality.

Contract Type: Freelance assignment (Contract through March 2027, with the possibility of extension).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be our champion of narrative strategy and quality across the entire game;

• Work with the Creative Director to establish a strong and clear story arc for our game and each of its chapters;

• Do justice to the iconic Pathfinder world and characters through compelling dialogue and engaging gameplay moments;

• Write sharp, impactful and engaging dialogue;

• Plan for environmental storytelling, such as clues to investigate, narrative moments, dramatic reveals;

• Help envision how we should unfold big storytelling moments like entering a boss arena or entering a story-critical area;

• Communicate the narrative vision to the team;

• Integrate and test all in-game narrative content within levels using available technical tools.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attend and monitor voice-over (VO) sessions to ensure quality and compliance with the narrative vision;

• Participate in the reviews of gameplay and to the sessions of playtesting to assess the impact of the narrative and suggest adjustments;

• Analyze player feedback and data to identify opportunities for narrative improvement;

• Remain highly aware of narrative trends in the video game industry and analyze competing titles for inspiration and innovation.

Profil

• Prior experience with game engines like Unreal or Unity, or with specific storytelling tools like Twine, is a plus;
  

• Possess experience in a game writing or narrative design role, having worked on shipped products;
  

• Possess in-depth knowledge of current trends in the video game market, different genres and their target audiences, in order to create relevant and engaging narratives;
  

• Demonstrate an exceptional ability to communicate complex narrative ideas, systems and mechanisms, both written and oral, in a concise and impactful manner;
  

• Demonstrate proven ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams throughout the project development cycle;
  

• Be able to receive and give constructive criticism, thus fostering an environment of continuous improvement and professional growth;
  

• Demonstrate a thirst for learning and growing as a narrative designer, actively seeking development opportunities and being open to feedback on performance;
  

• Possess the analytical skills needed to understand what makes great narrative experiences;
  

• Bonus: In-depth knowledge of the Pathfinder universe and/or Action RPGs (ARPGs).
  

Informations contractuelles

Working with BKOM Studios as a freelancer means joining a passionate and talented team on large-scale projects, while enjoying a high degree of flexibility.

• Contract Type: Freelance assignment through March 2027 (with the possibility of extension).
  
• Work Location: Remote (Quebec City, Canada) or hybrid work in Quebec City.
  
• Hourly/Daily Rate: Competitive and based on experience and expertise.
  
• Workload: Full-time (approximately 37.5 hours per week).
  
• Work Environment: A team culture centered on a passion for gaming, respect, and shared enjoyment (Forged by gaming, driven by passion).