Senior Game Narrative Designer

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Provident fund

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Game Narrative Designer for our Mahikeng studio in North West, ZA. You will craft compelling storylines, develop characters, and write dialogue that drives player immersion.

You will work with design, art, and programming teams to realize the narrative vision across gameplay systems. Ideal candidates have 5+ years delivering narrative design for video games, exceptional writing, and the ability to weave story into gameplay mechanics.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in narrative design or game writing.
• Portfolio showcasing strong narrative work for games.
• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and write compelling storylines, character backstories, and world-building lore.
• Design and implement in-game narrative elements, including dialogue, quests, and environmental storytelling.
• Collaborate with game designers to ensure narrative integrates with gameplay mechanics and player experience.
• Write engaging and high-quality dialogue for characters, ensuring consistent voice and tone.
• Create narrative design documents, beat sheets, and other documentation for story and character information.
• Work with voice actors and audio designers to ensure effective delivery of narrative content.
• Iterate on narrative content based on playtesting feedback and team input.
• Maintain narrative consistency throughout the game.
• Research and develop historical, cultural, or technical elements relevant to the game's setting.
• Contribute to overall creative direction and vision of the game.
• Assist in the development of marketing copy and promotional materials related to narrative.
• Mentor junior narrative designers and provide constructive feedback.

Skills

Narrative design

Story writing

Team collaboration

Communication

Portfolio

Game engines

Education

Bachelor’s in Creative Writing / Game Design

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, an acclaimed game development studio known for creating engaging and story-rich interactive experiences, is looking for a talented Senior Game Narrative Designer. This role is based in **Mahikeng, North West, ZA**. You will be responsible for crafting compelling narratives, developing characters, and writing engaging dialogue that immerses players in the game world. The ideal candidate has a proven track record of delivering strong narrative design for video games, possesses exceptional writing skills, and understands how to integrate story seamlessly with gameplay mechanics. You will work closely with design, art, and programming teams to ensure the narrative vision is effectively realized.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and write compelling storylines, character backstories, and world-building lore.
• Design and implement in-game narrative elements, including dialogue, quests, and environmental storytelling.
• Collaborate with game designers to ensure narrative is integrated effectively with gameplay mechanics and player experience.
• Write engaging and high-quality dialogue for characters, ensuring consistent voice and tone.
• Create narrative design documents, beat sheets, and other documentation to communicate story and character information.
• Work with voice actors and audio designers to ensure the effective delivery of narrative content.
• Iterate on narrative content based on playtesting feedback and team input.
• Maintain narrative consistency throughout the game.
• Research and develop historical, cultural, or technical elements relevant to the game's setting.
• Contribute to the overall creative direction and vision of the game.
• Assist in the development of marketing copy and promotional materials related to narrative.
• Mentor junior narrative designers and provide constructive feedback.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in narrative design or game writing, with a portfolio showcasing strong narrative work for games.
• Proven experience in writing compelling stories, characters, and dialogue for video games.
• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Understanding of game design principles and how narrative integrates with gameplay.
• Experience with game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and associated scripting or tools is a plus.
• Ability to create clear and concise narrative design documentation.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and adapt to feedback.
• A passion for video games and interactive storytelling.
• Familiarity with different narrative structures and techniques.
• Experience with branching narratives and player choice systems.
• A degree in Creative Writing, Literature, Game Design, or a related field is preferred.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary of Rand per annum, comprehensive health coverage, a provident fund, and opportunities for professional development.
• This role is based at our **Mahikeng, North West, ZA** studio, offering a chance to shape memorable gaming experiences.