Lead Designer, Narrative

Warner Media, LLC; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 108,000 - 201,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Warner Bros. Discovery as a Lead Designer, Narrative, in Salt Lake City. Shape the immersive storytelling for a major online multiplayer RPG and collaborate closely with creatives to enhance player experiences. Bring your passion for engaging narratives and your expertise in game design to a dynamic team crafting the next big title.

Benefits

Health insurance coverage

Employee wellness program

Life and disability insurance

Retirement savings plan

Paid holidays and vacation

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in narrative design, leading multiplayer story.
• Deep understanding of multiplayer storytelling dynamics.
• Proficiency in game design software and analytic skills.

Responsibilities

• Shape narrative vision for an immersive multiplayer RPG.
• Collaborate with various teams to integrate narrative elements.
• Adapt narrative based on player feedback and testing.

Skills

Narrative design

Collaboration

Communication

Player data analysis

Tools

Unreal Engine

Narrative pipeline tools

Job description

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery… the stuff dreams are made of.

Who We Are…

When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next…

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

Avalanche is a Warner Bros. Games studio located in downtown Salt Lake City nestled against the backdrop of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains. We’ve been in the video game business since 1995, creating interactive experiences for fans of the world’s largest franchises.Join the team behind the blockbuster open world, action RPG Hogwarts Legacy as we create what’s next!

The Job

As the Lead Designer, Narrative you will be responsible for collaborating with the Game and Creative directors to help shape the vision for a rich and immersive storytelling experience for the game. You will be collaborating with writers, game designers, artists, and other members of the game team to ensure that the narrative elements elevate both the individual and shared player experiences. Your ability to craft engaging narratives that fit the dynamic nature of multiplayer environments will be key to this role.

Your Role Accountabilities...

The Lead Designer, Narrative for an online multiplayer RPG game plays a crucial role in shaping the narrative of the world, setting, time period, character development, tone, and world-building.

Story Development : Collaborate with the Game Director, Creative Director, and other stakeholders to shape the overarching story, lore, and universe of the game. Ensure the narrative aligns with the multiplayer dynamics and enhances player immersion.

Character Development : Design compelling characters with unique backstories, motivations, and growth arcs that resonate with players across various game modes. Bring in favorite characters from the existing canon and IP. Collaborate with designers and artists to make these characters vibrant in the world and feel alive.

World-Building : Develop a cohesive and engaging world that players can explore, interact with, and discover through in-game lore, dialogue, and events. Collaborate closely with the World design team to make sure the narrative is present throughout the world, activities, and missions / quests.

Dialog Writing : Collaborate with designers and other writers on the integration of dynamic dialog that responds to player actions and interactions in real-time multiplayer settings.

Collaborate with Design Teams : Work closely with level designers, mission designers, and gameplay teams to ensure narrative elements are harmoniously integrated into gameplay mechanics, objectives, and environments.

Story Integration in Multiplayer Systems : Craft narratives that adapt to multiplayer frameworks, including PvP (player vs. player) and PvE (player vs. environment) experiences, matchmaking, and live-service updates.

Team Leadership & Collaboration : Collaborate with a team of writers, and other narrative designers through the narrative development process. Provide clear feedback and ensure narrative consistency across all aspects of the game.

Iteration & Feedback : Adapt and refine narrative elements based on player feedback, game testing, and live-service data to maintain and improve the game's storytelling.

Qualifications & Essentials...

7+ years of experience in narrative design, with at least 3-5+ years leading or owning major online multiplayer story and narrative

Deep understanding of multiplayer storytelling as it relates to a living and breathing world

Deep understanding of what makes ongoing stories in large multiplayer worlds tick, what makes characters in those worlds compelling, and how player stories take the forefront of narrative development

Deep understanding of how narrative and story can be woven into the fabric of the overall game design

Strong collaboration and communication skills across departments, including design, engineering, art, narrative, and production.

Ability to conceptualize, prototype, and implement game features, strings, dialog, etc.

Proficiency with game design software (e.g., Unreal Engine, narrative pipeline tools, etc.).

Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret player data and adjust designs accordingly.

Management experience working with AAA quality design cross functional teams.

Nice to Haves...

Experience with implementing data informed game design and a passion for using metrics to enhance player experience.

Experience with scripting languages or a technical background is a plus.

Deep knowledge of industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in game design.

A passion for online multiplayer RPGs

A passion for the source material and IP we are working in

How We Get Things Done…

This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com / guiding-principles / along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD

Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.

If you’re a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and / or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.

In compliance with local law, we are disclosing the compensation, or a range thereof, for roles in locations where legally required. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, skill set, experience, and / or performance. Base pay is just one component of Warner Bros. Discovery’s total compensation package for employees. Pay Range : $108,150.00 - $200,850.00 salary per year. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. In addition, Warner Bros. Discovery provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and sick time and vacation. If you’re a qualified candidate with an arrest or conviction record, please know that your application will be considered in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

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Lead Designer • Salt Lake City, UT, United States