Senior Game Narrative Designer

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Creative studio environment

Growth opportunities

Stellenbosch location

Job summary

Placements24's client, a celebrated game studio in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, seeks a Senior Game Narrative Designer to craft immersive stories and worlds for next-gen titles. You will collaborate with designers, artists and writers to weave narrative into gameplay, creating emotionally resonant experiences.

The ideal candidate has 6+ years in narrative design or game writing, 2+ in a senior role, a strong portfolio, and proficiency with Unreal Engine, Unity, or Twine.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in narrative design or game writing, with at least 2 years in a senior capacity.
• Demonstrated experience creating narrative for video games, preferably in a lead or senior role.
• Exceptional writing skills with dialogue, pacing and character development.
• Proficiency with narrative design tools or game engines (Unreal Engine, Unity, Twine) desirable.
• Strong understanding of interactive storytelling principles and player psychology.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams in Stellenbosch, Western Cape.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement narrative structures, storylines, and character arcs for video games.
• Write dialogue, lore entries, and in-game text.
• Collaborate with game designers to ensure narrative elements integrate with gameplay.
• Work with artists and animators to define character personalities and consistency.
• Develop the world-building bible and maintain narrative tone across projects.
• Create narrative flowcharts and documentation for story progression.
• Provide creative feedback on narrative assets and systems.
• Stay informed about trends in game narrative design and interactive storytelling.

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Twine

Job description

About the Role

Our client, an award-winning game development studio located in the heart of Stellenbosch, Western Cape , is seeking a talented Senior Game Narrative Designer to craft compelling stories and immersive worlds for their next generation of titles. This role requires a masterful storyteller with a deep understanding of interactive narrative structures, character development, and world-building. You will collaborate closely with game designers, artists, and writers to weave narratives that are deeply integrated with gameplay mechanics, creating emotionally resonant experiences for players. The ideal candidate possesses a strong portfolio of narrative design work, exceptional writing skills, and a passion for pushing the boundaries of storytelling in video games. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of interactive entertainment in the vibrant city of Stellenbosch, Western Cape .

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement compelling narrative structures, storylines, and character arcs for video games.
• Write dialogue, item descriptions, lore entries, and other in-game text.
• Collaborate with game designers to ensure narrative elements are seamlessly integrated with gameplay mechanics.
• Work with artists and animators to define character personalities and ensure narrative consistency.
• Develop and maintain the overall tone, voice, and world-building bible for game projects.
• Create narrative flowcharts and documentation to communicate story progression to the team.
• Provide creative feedback on narrative-related assets and systems.
• Stay informed about trends and innovations in game narrative design and interactive storytelling.

Requirements

• A minimum of 6 years of experience in narrative design or game writing, with at least 2 years in a senior capacity.
• Demonstrated experience creating narrative for video games, preferably in a lead or senior role.
• Exceptional writing skills, with a strong command of dialogue, pacing, and character development.
• Proficiency with narrative design tools or game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity, Twine) is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of interactive storytelling principles and player psychology.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams in Stellenbosch, Western Cape .
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• A portfolio showcasing narrative design work, writing samples, and/or shipped game titles is essential.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, and generous opportunities for professional growth and development.
• You will be part of a creative and collaborative studio environment known for its innovative game development.
• We provide access to cutting-edge technology and foster a culture that values artistic expression and teamwork.
• Join our team in Stellenbosch, Western Cape and help us create unforgettable gaming experiences.