Remote Video Game Narrative Designer

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 400,000 - 700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-first culture

Flexible schedule

Professional development opportunities

Conference participation opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Video Game Narrative Designer to craft compelling stories and immersive worlds for next‑gen titles. You will develop lore, backstories, and dialogue from anywhere, collaborating with a distributed team of passionate game developers.

You will design branching narratives and player choice systems, maintain narrative docs, and ensure emotional resonance by working with designers, artists, and voice talent in a fully remote workflow.

Qualifications

• A strong portfolio of narrative design work for video games or interactive media.
• Proven experience writing original stories, character development, and dialogue for interactive platforms.
• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills with a keen understanding of narrative structure.
• Familiarity with game engines (Unity/Unreal) and narrative scripting tools.
• Strong collaboration and remote team communication abilities.
• Experience with branching narratives and player choice systems.
• Remote-friendly self-motivation and time management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and write original storylines, character arcs, and world-building lore for video game projects.
• Create engaging in-game dialogue, quest descriptions, and narrative exposition.
• Collaborate with designers, level artists, and writers to integrate narrative into gameplay.
• Design branching narrative structures with meaningful player choices.
• Write and maintain narrative design documents, plot outlines, and lore guides.
• Work with voice actors and audio to ensure emotional delivery of dialogue.
• Pitch narrative concepts and contribute to the game vision.
• Refine narrative elements based on playtesting and production feedback.
• Ensure narrative consistency across the game world.
• Participate in team meetings and support iterative development.

Skills

Portfolio of narrative design

Storytelling & writing

Editing & proofreading

Collaboration & communication

Branching narratives

Education

Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing, English, Game Design, or related field

Tools

Unity

Unreal Engine

Narrative scripting tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned independent game development studio, is seeking a talented and imaginative Remote Video Game Narrative Designer to craft compelling stories and immersive worlds for our next generation of titles. This fully remote position allows you to contribute your creative expertise from anywhere, collaborating with a distributed team of passionate game developers.

You will be responsible for developing rich lore, intricate character backstories, engaging plotlines, and dynamic dialogue that form the heart of our player experiences. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the narrative direction of innovative games and engage players on a deeply emotional and intellectual level.

We are looking for a storyteller with a passion for interactive media and a proven ability to create memorable narratives that resonate with a global audience. Join our virtual studio and help us build unforgettable gaming experiences from the comfort of your own space. The role is entirely remote-first, emphasizing asynchronous collaboration and flexibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and write original storylines, character arcs, and world-building lore for video game projects.
• Create engaging in-game dialogue, quest descriptions, and narrative exposition that enhances player immersion.
• Collaborate with game designers, level designers, and artists to integrate narrative seamlessly into gameplay mechanics and environments.
• Design branching narrative structures and player choice systems that offer meaningful consequences.
• Write and maintain detailed narrative design documents, including plot outlines, character bibles, and lore guides.
• Work closely with voice actors and audio designers to ensure the emotional delivery and impact of dialogue.
• Brainstorm and pitch narrative concepts, contributing creative ideas to the overall game vision.
• Adapt and refine narrative elements based on playtesting feedback and production requirements.
• Ensure narrative consistency across all aspects of the game world.
• Participate actively in team meetings and contribute to a collaborative and iterative development process.

Requirements

• A strong portfolio of narrative design work for video games or interactive media.
• Proven experience in writing original stories, character development, and dialogue for interactive platforms.
• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills with a keen understanding of narrative structure.
• Familiarity with game development engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine) and narrative scripting tools is a plus.
• Ability to conceptualize and articulate complex narrative ideas clearly and concisely.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, especially within a remote team environment.
• Experience with branching narratives and player choice systems.
• A deep appreciation for video games and interactive storytelling.
• Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing, English, Game Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Self-motivated with excellent time management skills to thrive in a remote setting.

Benefits

This is a fully remote position offering a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and a flexible work schedule. Our client provides a supportive and collaborative virtual work environment, encouraging professional growth and continuous learning. We offer opportunities for participation in major gaming conferences and access to online training resources. Join a studio that values creativity, innovation, and the well-being of its remote team members. Experience the freedom and flexibility of remote work while contributing to exciting new game titles.