Lead Narrative Designer & Writer

Placements24; Vereeniging; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical, dental, optical coverage

Generous annual leave & sick leave

Professional development & workshops

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 in Vereeniging, Gauteng, South Africa, seeks a Lead Narrative Designer & Writer to shape the game's story, characters, and lore, guiding a team of writers to deliver a cohesive narrative experience.

You will collaborate with design, art, and audio teams, develop branching storylines, and ensure tone and quality across the project.

The role requires 6+ years in narrative design or game writing, leadership experience, and a strong portfolio of shipped titles.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of experience in narrative design and/or game writing.
• Experience leading a team of narrative designers and writers.
• Proven track record shipping multiple game titles with narrative focus.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills with strong dialogue.
• Ability to design and implement complex narrative structures and systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the narrative vision, themes, and world-building for the game.
• Write dialogue, backstories, lore documents, and narrative scripts.
• Design branching storylines, player choices, and quest structures.
• Collaborate with designers, artists, and audio to weave narrative into gameplay.
• Lead and mentor a team of narrative designers and writers.

Skills

Narrative design

Game writing

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a critically acclaimed game studio located in Vereeniging, Gauteng , is seeking a talented Lead Narrative Designer & Writer to spearhead the storytelling aspects of their ambitious new project. This is a pivotal role where you will shape the overarching narrative, craft compelling characters, and write engaging dialogue and lore that immerse players in a rich, believable world. You will lead a team of writers and narrative designers, ensuring a cohesive and impactful story experience throughout the game. The ideal candidate possesses exceptional writing skills, a deep understanding of interactive storytelling, and proven leadership capabilities. Join us in Vereeniging and craft the next unforgettable gaming saga.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the overall narrative vision, plot, themes, and world-building for the game.
• Write high-quality dialogue, character backstories, in-game text, lore documents, and narrative scripts.
• Design and implement narrative systems, including branching storylines, player choices, and quest structures.
• Collaborate closely with game designers, level designers, artists, and audio teams to ensure narrative elements are integrated effectively into gameplay.
• Lead and mentor a team of narrative designers and writers, providing constructive feedback and guidance.
• Create detailed narrative design documents and style guides for the team.
• Ensure narrative consistency, tone, and quality across all aspects of the game.
• Present narrative concepts and progress to project stakeholders.
• Champion player engagement through compelling storytelling and character development.

Requirements

• Minimum of 6 years of experience in narrative design and/or game writing, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior role.
• Demonstrable experience shipping multiple successful game titles, with a strong portfolio of narrative work.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills with a mastery of dialogue and prose.
• Proven ability to design and implement complex narrative structures and systems in games.
• Experience with game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and narrative implementation tools.
• Strong understanding of character development, pacing, and thematic depth.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines.
• A passion for video games and a deep appreciation for narrative craft.
• Must be able to work full-time on-site in Vereeniging, Gauteng, South Africa.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonus structure.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and optical coverage.
• Generous annual leave and paid sick leave.
• Opportunities for professional development, including writing workshops and conferences.
• Access to state-of-the-art development tools and resources.
• A creative, collaborative, and supportive studio culture in Gauteng.
• Regular team-building events and studio celebrations.
• Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates moving to Vereeniging.