Lead Game Narrative Designer

Placements24; Polokwane; Remote; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Fully remote

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Game Narrative Designer for a fully remote role based in South Africa. You will shape stories and worlds, lead a team of writers, and ensure narrative coherence across projects.

You will craft compelling dialogue, world-building, and narrative systems, collaborating closely with designers and artists to integrate narrative into gameplay. A strong portfolio and leadership experience are essential.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in game development with at least 2 years in a leadership or senior role.
• Exceptional writing, storytelling and dialogue crafting skills.
• Experience with narrative design and game engines (Unity/Unreal) is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing, English, Game Design or related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own the overall narrative vision and strategy for game projects.
• Write compelling storylines, character backstories, dialogue, and in-game text.
• Design and implement narrative systems and mechanics that enhance player engagement.
• Collaborate with level designers, game designers, and artists to integrate narrative into gameplay.
• Lead, mentor, and provide feedback to a team of narrative designers and writers.
• Create and maintain narrative documentation including bibles, character profiles, and plot outlines.
• Ensure narrative coherence and quality across the game development process.

Skills

Narrative design

Storytelling

Leadership

Creative writing

Communication

Mentoring

Remote work

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Unity

Unreal Engine

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a highly innovative and acclaimed game development studio based in **Polokwane, Limpopo**, is seeking a visionary **Lead Game Narrative Designer** to shape the stories and worlds of their upcoming projects. This is a **fully remote** position, enabling top talent from anywhere in South Africa to join their collaborative team. As the Lead Narrative Designer, you will be responsible for crafting compelling narratives, developing rich characters, and designing engaging gameplay experiences that immerse players in unforgettable worlds. You will lead a team of writers and narrative designers, guiding the overall storytelling vision and ensuring narrative coherence across the entire game. The ideal candidate possesses a deep passion for interactive storytelling, exceptional writing skills, and a proven ability to manage creative teams. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the future of interactive entertainment from your home office.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and own the overall narrative vision and strategy for game projects.
• Write compelling storylines, character backstories, dialogue, and in-game text.
• Design and implement narrative systems and mechanics that enhance player engagement.
• Collaborate closely with level designers, game designers, and artists to integrate narrative seamlessly into gameplay.
• Lead, mentor, and provide feedback to a team of narrative designers and writers.
• Create and maintain detailed narrative documentation, including bibles, character profiles, and plot outlines.
• Ensure narrative consistency and quality across all aspects of the game development process.
• Conduct research to inform world-building, character development, and plot points.
• Champion the importance of narrative within the development team.
• Stay updated on trends and best practices in game narrative design.

Requirements

• Proven experience in narrative design or writing for video games, with a significant portfolio showcasing successful projects.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in game development, with at least 2 years in a leadership or senior role.
• Exceptional writing, storytelling, and dialogue crafting skills.
• Deep understanding of narrative structures and interactive storytelling techniques.
• Experience with game engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine) and scripting languages is a plus.
• Strong collaborative and communication skills, with the ability to articulate creative ideas clearly.
• Experience leading and mentoring creative teams.
• Ability to work independently and manage tasks effectively in a remote environment.
• A passion for video games and interactive entertainment.
• Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing, English, Game Design, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and potential for bonuses based on project success.
• Fully remote work arrangement offering maximum flexibility.
• Opportunity to lead narrative development on exciting new game titles.
• Collaborative and creative team environment.
• Professional development and opportunities for growth.
• Shape the future of interactive storytelling in the gaming industry.