Remote Game Narrative Designer

Placements24; Willows (CA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-first environment

Flexible working hours

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Game Narrative Designer to craft stories and worlds for upcoming projects. You will develop the overarching narrative framework, backstories, dialogue, and ensure coherence across gameplay.

Collaboration with designers, artists, and writers is essential to weave immersive narratives in a remote-first environment. The role requires deep storytelling knowledge, ability to refine content from feedback, and a passion for interactive storytelling.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Narrative Designer or Writer for video games.
• Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills.
• Deep understanding of narrative structures and world-building.
• Familiarity with Unity/Unreal Engine is a plus.
• Strong collaboration and remote communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and write storylines, character arcs, dialogue and lore for games.
• Collaborate with design to weave narrative into gameplay and level design.
• Create narrative design docs: plot outlines, bios, world guides, quests.
• Write dialogue for NPCs and player interactions with clarity and tone.
• Ensure narrative coherence and emotional impact across the game.

Skills

Narrative design

Storytelling

Dialogue writing

World-building

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing or related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a highly acclaimed independent game studio, is seeking a visionary Remote Game Narrative Designer to craft compelling stories and engaging worlds for their upcoming projects. This position is entirely remote, allowing you to contribute your creative talents from anywhere in the world. You will be responsible for developing the overarching narrative framework, crafting character backstories, writing dialogue, and ensuring narrative coherence throughout the gameplay experience. This role requires a deep understanding of storytelling principles, interactive media, and a passion for creating immersive and memorable player experiences. You will collaborate closely with game designers, artists, and writers to weave narratives that resonate with players on an emotional level. This is a fantastic opportunity to shape the future of interactive storytelling in a supportive, remote-first environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and write compelling storylines, character arcs, dialogue, and lore for video games.
• Collaborate with the game design team to integrate narrative elements seamlessly into gameplay mechanics and level design.
• Create detailed narrative design documents, including plot outlines, character biographies, world-building guides, and quest descriptions.
• Write engaging and contextually appropriate dialogue for non-player characters (NPCs) and player interactions.
• Ensure narrative consistency and emotional impact across all aspects of the game.
• Work with voice actors and audio directors to ensure the proper delivery and interpretation of dialogue.
• Participate in playtesting sessions to gather feedback on narrative clarity, pacing, and player engagement.
• Adapt and refine narrative content based on feedback from the development team and playtesters.
• Contribute to the development of narrative tools and workflows to improve efficiency.
• Stay informed about current trends in narrative design and interactive storytelling.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Narrative Designer or Writer for video games, with a portfolio showcasing strong storytelling abilities.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with a talent for crafting engaging dialogue and narrative prose.
• Deep understanding of narrative structures, character development, and world-building.
• Familiarity with game development pipelines and common game engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine).
• Ability to write clearly and concisely for design documentation and in-game text.
• Strong collaborative and communication skills, essential for a remote work environment.
• Ability to receive and incorporate constructive criticism effectively.
• Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing, Literature, Game Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience with narrative scripting tools or languages is a plus.
• Passion for video games and a keen understanding of player psychology and engagement.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a competitive salary, flexible working hours, and the opportunity to work on exciting, innovative game projects from the comfort of your home.
• Our client provides comprehensive health benefits, professional development opportunities, and a supportive, collaborative online community.
• You’ll have the chance to make a significant impact on player experiences and grow your career in narrative design.
• Join a team that values creativity, innovation, and work-life balance.