Senior Game Writer - Narrative Design

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Game Writer to craft narratives, plots, and dialogue for upcoming titles in a fully remote setting. Collaborate with designers and directors to ensure narrative alignment with gameplay and world design, while developing rich lore and character profiles.

The role requires a strong portfolio, exceptional English, and a proven ability to shape stories across a game's lifetime. Remote collaboration and independent work will be essential in this distributed team.

Qualifications

• 7+ years professional writing experience, with at least 4 years in game writing or narrative design.
• Portfolio of published game narratives, scripts, or interactive fiction.
• Excellent command of the English language: grammar, spelling, punctuation.
• Proven ability to create deep, believable characters and compelling plots.
• Experience in world-building and lore creation.
• Familiarity with game development processes and terminology.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills in remote settings.
• Experience with narrative tools (Twine, Articy:Draft) is a plus.
• Bachelor-type degree in related fields or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Write engaging narratives, plots, backstories, and dialogue for video games.
• Collaborate with designers, level designers, and art directors for narrative coherence.
• Develop and maintain lore, world-building documents, and character profiles.
• Create in-game text: quest descriptions, item lore, UI text, tutorials.
• Iterate on writing based on feedback from team, playtests, and stakeholders.
• Maintain consistent tone and style across all narrative elements.
• Contribute to overall story development and thematic direction.
• Mentor junior writers and provide constructive feedback.
• Participate in story brainstorming sessions with innovative ideas.
• Manage writing tasks and deadlines within the production schedule.

Skills

Storytelling

Character development

Narrative design

Remote collaboration

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing / English / Journalism / Game Design

Tools

Twine

Articy:Draft

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a critically acclaimed game development studio known for its rich storytelling and immersive worlds, is seeking a talented Senior Game Writer to join their fully remote team. This pivotal role involves crafting compelling narratives, intricate plotlines, and engaging character dialogues for our upcoming interactive titles. You will be instrumental in shaping the emotional core and player experience through masterful storytelling. The ideal candidate possesses a profound understanding of narrative structure, world-building, and character development, combined with exceptional writing skills and a passion for the gaming medium. As a remote-first organization, we thrive on asynchronous collaboration and clear communication, providing all necessary tools and support for a productive remote work experience. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute your creative talents to the Arts & Entertainment industry and work on projects that resonate with players worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Write engaging and compelling narratives, plot points, character backstories, and dialogue for video games.


• Collaborate closely with game designers, level designers, and art directors to ensure narrative coherence and integration with gameplay mechanics and world design.


• Develop and maintain detailed lore, world-building documents, and character profiles.


• Craft high-quality in-game text, including quest descriptions, item lore, UI text, and tutorials.


• Iterate on writing based on feedback from team members, playtesters, and stakeholders.


• Ensure consistency in tone, voice, and style across all narrative elements.


• Contribute to the overall story and thematic development of the game.


• Mentor junior writers and provide constructive feedback on their work.


• Participate in story brainstorming sessions and contribute innovative ideas.


• Manage writing tasks and deadlines effectively within the project's production schedule.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of professional writing experience, with at least 4 years specifically in game writing or narrative design for interactive media.


• A strong portfolio showcasing published game narratives, scripts, or interactive fiction.


• Exceptional command of the English language, with impeccable grammar, spelling, and punctuation.


• Proven ability to create deep, believable characters and compelling plot structures.


• Experience in world-building and establishing consistent lore within a fictional universe.


• Familiarity with game development processes and terminology.


• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, particularly in a remote team setting.


• Ability to receive and incorporate constructive criticism effectively.


• Experience with narrative design tools (e.g., Twine, Articy:Draft) is a plus.


• Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing, English, Journalism, Game Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.


• Must be a self-starter, highly organized, and able to work independently from a remote location.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, generous paid time off, and opportunities for professional development, including access to writing workshops and industry conferences. Our client provides a flexible and supportive virtual work environment, fosters a culture of creativity and collaboration, and offers the chance to leave your narrative mark on globally recognized Arts & Entertainment titles.