Remote Lead Game Narrative Designer

Placements24; Kempton Park; Hybrid; ZAR 1,969,000 - 2,953,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

Home office allowance

Professional development opportunities

Competitive paid time off

Retirement savings plan

Performance bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Lead Game Narrative Designer to shape the soul of upcoming interactive projects from home. You will steward lore, characters, and overarching narrative to deliver cohesive player journeys across titles.

Ideal candidates have 8+ years in narrative design, leadership experience, and strong writing skills. Collaboration with writers, designers, and developers across time zones is essential, and mentoring a team is a core part of the role.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in narrative design and writing for video games.
• Proven leadership of creative teams and projects.
• Excellent writing/editing and storytelling with strong narrative theory.
• Proficiency with Unity or Unreal Engine and scripting tools.
• Strong remote collaboration and cross-functional teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the overarching narrative vision, lore, and story arcs for multiple game titles.
• Create detailed narrative design documents, character backstories, dialogue scripts, and in-game text.
• Collaborate with level designers and system designers to integrate narrative with gameplay mechanics and player progression.
• Lead and mentor a team of narrative designers and writers, providing constructive feedback and fostering growth.
• Define and implement the narrative structure, pacing, and emotional beats of the game.
• Work with voice directors and actors to ensure performances align with the narrative intent.
• Manage the narrative content pipeline, ensuring timely delivery of assets and consistent quality.
• Champion the narrative vision to internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Develop innovative approaches to storytelling within interactive media.
• Conduct playtesting and analysis to refine narrative elements based on player feedback.

Skills

Narrative design

Leadership

Storytelling

Remote collaboration

Project management

Education

Master's degree in Creative Writing / related field

Tools

Unity

Unreal Engine

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering entity within the Arts & Entertainment industry, is on the hunt for an exceptional Remote Lead Game Narrative Designer. This position is ideal for a seasoned storyteller and game design veteran looking to shape the very soul of our upcoming interactive projects from the comfort of their home office. As the guardian of our game's lore, characters, and overarching narrative, you will steer the creative direction, ensuring a cohesive and compelling player experience. This is a fully remote role, requiring a proactive, self-motivated individual who thrives in a collaborative, distributed team environment. You will work closely with writers, designers, and developers across different time zones to weave intricate plots and create unforgettable player journeys. We are looking for someone who can not only craft profound stories but also mentor and guide a team of talented narrative developers.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the overarching narrative vision, lore, and story arcs for multiple game titles.
• Create detailed narrative design documents, character backstories, dialogue scripts, and in-game text.
• Collaborate with level designers and system designers to ensure narrative is deeply integrated into gameplay mechanics and player progression.
• Lead and mentor a team of narrative designers and writers, providing constructive feedback and fostering creative growth.
• Define and implement the narrative structure, pacing, and emotional beats of the game.
• Work with voice directors and actors to ensure performance captures align with the narrative intent.
• Manage the narrative content pipeline, ensuring timely delivery of assets and consistent quality.
• Champion the narrative vision to internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Develop innovative approaches to storytelling within the constraints of interactive media.
• Conduct playtesting and analysis to refine narrative elements based on player feedback.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Creative Writing, Literature, Game Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Extensive experience (8+ years) in narrative design and writing for video games, with a portfolio demonstrating significant contributions to shipped titles.
• Proven experience in a leadership role, managing creative teams and projects.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills with a deep understanding of narrative theory.
• Proficiency in game engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine) and common narrative tools or scripting languages.
• Strong ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams in a remote setting.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• A passion for games and a keen understanding of player psychology and engagement.
• Experience with branching narratives and complex quest design.
• Demonstrated ability to create compelling characters and believable worlds.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance.
• We provide a generous allowance for home office setup and ongoing professional development opportunities, such as conferences and online courses.
• Our client values work-life balance, offering ample paid time off and flexible working hours.
• You'll be part of an innovative and collaborative global team, with opportunities to shape the future of interactive entertainment.
• We also offer a retirement savings plan and performance-based bonuses.

Join us and leave your narrative mark on the industry from anywhere in the world.