Lead Narrative Designer - Hybrid/Remote

Firesprite; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading game development studio in the UK seeks a Lead Narrative Designer to shape narrative design for all games. In this role, you will oversee the Narrative Design team, ensuring high-quality storytelling that integrates seamlessly with gameplay. Ideal candidates have experience with branching narratives and horror games, and the ability to mentor others. The position offers a hybrid work model, private medical insurance, and 25 days holiday per year.

Benefits

Private Medical Insurance

25 days holiday per year

Access to cycle garage and showers

Discretionary bonus opportunity

Qualifications

• Experience of having shipped a branching narrative game.
• Flexibility to adapt stories based on feedback and constraints.
• Ability to create effective working relationships within teams.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Narrative Design Director to shape narrative design.
• Oversee the implementation of gameplay narrative content.
• Lead the Narrative Design team day to day.

Skills

Outstanding knowledge of branching narrative games

Strong understanding of crafting horror experiences

Ability to integrate storytelling with gameplay

Collaborative mindset

Experience in mentoring and guiding team members

Familiarity with Unreal Engine

Job description

United Kingdom, Remote

Firesprite is a visionary game development studio based in the heart of Liverpool.

Proud to be an integral part of the PlayStation Studios family, we create showcase games that take players on thrilling journeys, with memorable characters, captivating narratives, and shared moments of excitement. Our commitment to the core values of Inclusivity, Bravery, Responsiveness, and Entrepreneurialism is a key driving force behind our work culture.

Role Overview:

We are looking for a Lead Narrative Designer to join our team. You will collaborate with the Director team to help shape the narrative design for all our games, and empower the Narrative Design team to create best-in-class storytelling.

What you’ll be doing:

• Working with the Narrative Design Director to understand and shape all aspects of narrative design and storytelling
• Attending regular meetings with our external writing partners, collaborating on the story creation and iteration of existing scripts
• Overseeing the implementation of all gameplay narrative content, ensuring AAA quality standards
• Collaborating with all disciplines to ensure gameplay storytelling beats are clear and consistent across the game
• Proactively seeking issues with any aspect of storytelling, and suggesting improvements and iterations to address them
• Iterating on scripts in Final Draft where necessary
• Attending User Testing to learn first‑hand how the narrative is being comprehended and enjoyed by players
• Supporting the script preparation for mocap shoots and VO sessions
• Leading the Narrative Design team day to day, including the line management of team members
• Play a vital role in all growth, training and strengthening of the Narrative Design team
• Overseeing all tools, systems, and pipelines that allow for rapid iteration and implementation
• Managing and coordinating written and VO localisation

What we’re looking for:

• Outstanding knowledge of branching narrative games and a strong background in crafting interactive and non‑linear stories
• Strong understanding of how to craft a horror experience
• Ability to integrate storytelling seamlessly with gameplay, in creating emotional and memorable player experiences
• Experience of having shipped a branching narrative game
• Collaborative mindset to bring narrative visions to life with the team.
• Flexibility to adapt stories based on game development constraints and feedback.
• Ability to create effective working relationships within game teams and external partners
• Experience in mentoring and guiding team members
• Experience with Unreal Engine and with narrative tools and software commonly used in the industry
• Discretionary bonus opportunity
• Hybrid Working (within Flexmodes)
• Private Medical Insurance
• 25 days holiday per year
• Access to cycle garage and showers

Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.

Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice for more information about what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your data protection rights.

Firesprite is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, with a commitment to a culture of inclusion and mutual respect for all employees from every walk of life, reflecting the community we make games for. We welcome and encourage applications from all suitable applicants regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.