Senior Game Writer - Narrative Design Focus

Placements24; Soweto; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Game Writer for a narrative-driven role in Soweto, Gauteng. You will craft dialogue, lore, and in-game text, shaping the emotional core of upcoming titles and collaborating with design and art teams.

The ideal candidate brings 5+ years of writing, with 3+ years in game narrative design, strong storytelling, and a portfolio of published games. Hybrid work model offered in Soweto.

Qualifications

• 5+ years professional writing, with at least 3 years specifically in game narrative design.
• Portfolio showing strong narrative and dialogue skills from published games.
• Exceptional creative writing, editing, and proofreading abilities.
• Strong understanding of narrative structure, character development, and pacing in interactive media.
• Experience with branching narratives and player choice systems is desirable.
• Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing, English, Journalism, or related field, or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Write engaging and immersive story content, including dialogue, character backstories, quests, and in-game text.
• Collaborate with game designers to develop and implement narrative systems and mechanics.
• Create detailed narrative design documents and story outlines.
• Develop compelling character arcs and personalities that resonate with players.
• Ensure consistency in tone, voice, and lore throughout the game.
• Work with voice actors and localization teams to maintain narrative integrity.
• Contribute to world-building and believable game environments.
• Implement narrative elements within the game engine using scripting tools.
• Provide creative input and feedback on narrative aspects of game design.
• Proofread and edit all written content for clarity and style.

Skills

Storytelling

Dialogue writing

Narrative design

Editing & proofreading

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing

Tools

Unity

Unreal Engine

Scripting languages

Job description

About the Role

Our client, an award-winning game development studio known for its critically acclaimed narrative-driven titles, is seeking a talented Senior Game Writer with a strong focus on narrative design to join their team in Soweto, Gauteng. This pivotal role involves crafting compelling storylines, developing rich characters, and integrating narrative elements seamlessly into gameplay. You will be responsible for writing dialogue, in-game text, lore, and contributing to the overall story architecture of our client's upcoming projects. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional writing skills, a deep understanding of interactive storytelling, and the ability to collaborate effectively with design and art teams. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the emotional core of games that resonate with players worldwide. You will have a significant impact on player immersion and engagement by creating memorable narratives and believable worlds. We are looking for a creative storyteller who can translate complex themes into engaging player experiences. Your expertise will be crucial in ensuring our client's games deliver unforgettable narrative journeys, reinforcing their reputation for excellence in storytelling.

Key Responsibilities

• Write engaging and immersive story content, including dialogue, character backstories, quests, and in-game text.
• Collaborate with game designers to develop and implement narrative systems and mechanics.
• Create detailed narrative design documents and story outlines.
• Develop compelling character arcs and personalities that resonate with players.
• Ensure consistency in tone, voice, and lore throughout the game.
• Work closely with voice actors and localization teams to ensure narrative integrity.
• Contribute to world-building and the creation of rich, believable game environments.
• Implement narrative elements within the game engine using scripting tools.
• Provide creative input and feedback on narrative aspects of game design.
• Proofread and edit all written content to ensure clarity, accuracy, and style.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of professional writing experience, with at least 3 years specifically in game narrative design.
• Proven experience writing for published video games, with a portfolio showcasing strong narrative and dialogue skills.
• Exceptional creative writing, editing, and proofreading abilities.
• Strong understanding of narrative structure, character development, and pacing in interactive media.
• Familiarity with game development tools and engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine) and scripting languages is a plus.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple writing tasks and meet project deadlines.
• Experience with branching narratives and player choice systems is desirable.
• Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing, English, Journalism, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and opportunities for professional development within a creative and collaborative studio environment. Employees enjoy access to state-of-the-art development tools and a supportive culture that values storytelling. We provide a dynamic work setting where your creative contributions are highly valued.

This role is based in Soweto, Gauteng, offering a hybrid work model for a healthy work-life balance.