Senior Game Narrative Designer

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Professional development

Cutting-edge game development tech

Creative and collaborative environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Game Narrative Designer in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, to craft compelling stories and immersive worlds for next‑gen interactive entertainment. You will shape the player’s journey, develop lore, and ensure cohesive narrative across gameplay elements, working with design, art, and programming teams.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of game narrative design, a strong writing portfolio, and experience with Unreal Engine or Unity, plus a passion for interactive

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in game narrative design or interactive media scripting.
• Portfolio demonstrating strong game narratives and writing.
• Experience crafting plots, characters, and immersive worlds.

Responsibilities

• Develop and write narrative content: plot outlines, backstories, dialogue, in-game text.
• Collaborate with designers to integrate narrative into gameplay, level design, UX.
• Design and document narrative systems: quests, branching dialogues, lore presentation.
• Create character arcs and consistent voices across the game.
• Coordinate with art and animation to support the narrative vision.
• Oversee narrative implementation within the game engine.
• Conduct narrative reviews and mentor junior designers.
• Research world-building for historical and thematic consistency.

Skills

Narrative design

Creative writing

Storytelling

Collaboration

Education

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

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Narrative scripting tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a highly acclaimed video game development studio located in **Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape**, is seeking a talented Senior Game Narrative Designer to craft compelling stories and immersive worlds for their next generation of interactive entertainment. This role is central to defining the player's journey, developing rich lore, and ensuring a cohesive narrative experience across all game elements. You will work closely with design, art, and programming teams to weave narrative seamlessly into gameplay mechanics. The ideal candidate possesses exceptional writing skills, a deep understanding of interactive storytelling, and a proven track record of creating engaging narratives in the gaming industry. Join a passionate team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of interactive entertainment in **Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape**.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and write high-quality narrative content, including plot outlines, character backstories, dialogue, and in-game text.
• Collaborate with game designers to integrate narrative elements into gameplay mechanics, level design, and user experience.
• Design and document narrative systems, including quest structures, branching dialogues, and lore presentation.
• Create compelling character arcs and ensure consistent character voices throughout the game.
• Work with artists and animators to ensure the visual presentation supports the narrative vision.
• Oversee the implementation of narrative elements within the game engine.
• Conduct narrative reviews and provide constructive feedback to writers and designers.
• Mentor junior narrative designers and contribute to the development of narrative best practices.
• Research and develop world-building elements, ensuring historical and thematic consistency.

Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in game narrative design or a closely related field (e.g., scriptwriting for interactive media).
• A strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional writing skills and experience in creating compelling game narratives.
• Proven ability to craft engaging plots, memorable characters, and immersive worlds.
• Experience with game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and narrative scripting tools.
• Excellent understanding of interactive storytelling principles and player psychology.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to adapt writing style to fit different game genres and target audiences.
• Experience with branching dialogue systems and quest design is essential.
• Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing, English, Game Design, or a related field is preferred.
• A deep passion for video games and interactive storytelling.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance. Opportunities for professional development and advancement within a growing studio. Access to cutting-edge game development technology. Work in a creative and collaborative environment located in beautiful **Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape**. Contribute to exciting and innovative gaming experiences.