Senior Game Narrative Designer

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 950,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Hybrid work arrangement

Relocation assistance possible

Creative, collaborative studio environ

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Game Narrative Designer for a near-Mspruit studio in Mpumalanga, blending remote work with on-site creative sessions in Nelspruit.

You will craft overarching narrative, world lore, and character arcs for upcoming titles, shaping player experiences with a strong storytelling vision.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and 5+ years in narrative design for games.
• Proven ability to write dialogue, characters, and story arcs.
• Experience with hybrid work models and collaboration with cross-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Own the overall narrative vision for game projects.
• Write scripts, dialogue, and character backstories.
• Collaborate with designers, artists, and audio to integrate narrative.
• Create narrative design documents with plots and lore.
• Align narrative with gameplay mechanics and pacing.
• Adapt stories based on playtests and feedback.
• Ensure consistency across dialogue and environmental storytelling.
• Mentor junior writers and designers.
• Develop rich lore and worlds for future projects.
• Present concepts to team and stakeholders.

Skills

Narrative design

Dialogue scripting

World-building

Storytelling

Hybrid collaboration

Mentoring

Portfolio of shipped titles

Game design basics

Communication

Education

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

Tools

Word

Google Docs

Spreadsheets

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a highly regarded independent game development studio based near Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, ZA, is seeking a Senior Game Narrative Designer to craft compelling stories and immersive worlds for their upcoming projects. This hybrid role combines focused remote work with essential collaborative sessions at their Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, ZA studio. You will be instrumental in developing the overarching narrative, character arcs, dialogue, and lore that define the player experience. This is an unparalleled opportunity to leave your mark on innovative game titles, working alongside a passionate and talented team dedicated to creating memorable gaming experiences. Your expertise will guide the storytelling vision, ensuring a cohesive and emotionally resonant narrative that engages players on a deep level.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and own the overall narrative vision and structure for game projects.
• Write compelling scripts, dialogue, character backstories, and in-game text.
• Collaborate with game designers, artists, and audio engineers to ensure narrative integration throughout gameplay.
• Create detailed narrative design documents, including plot outlines, character profiles, and world-building lore.
• Contribute to the conceptualization of game mechanics that support narrative progression.
• Adapt narrative elements based on playtesting feedback and iterative development.
• Ensure narrative consistency across all aspects of the game, from dialogue to environmental storytelling.
• Mentor junior narrative designers and writers.
• Research and develop rich, believable game worlds and lore.
• Present narrative concepts and progress to the development team and stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing, Literature, Game Design, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in narrative design or writing for video games, with a strong portfolio of shipped titles or significant contributions.
• Proven ability to write engaging dialogue, compelling characters, and cohesive storylines.
• Deep understanding of narrative structure, pacing, and player psychology.
• Experience with game development pipelines and collaborative workflows.
• Familiarity with game design principles and how narrative interacts with gameplay.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid model, participating in critical on-site meetings and creative sessions in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, ZA as needed.
• Proficiency in industry-standard tools for documentation and collaboration (e.g., Word, Google Docs, spreadsheets).
• A genuine passion for video games and storytelling.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary reflecting your senior-level expertise.
• Hybrid work arrangement offering both flexibility and essential in-person collaboration.
• Opportunity to work on critically acclaimed and innovative game titles.
• Creative freedom to shape compelling narratives and worlds.
• Supportive and passionate team environment.
• Relocation assistance may be considered for candidates residing outside of Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, ZA.