Senior Interactive Narrative Designer (Remote-First)

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 1,317,000 - 1,976,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Interactive Narrative Designer for a remote-first role. You will craft branching narratives, character arcs, and dialogue across platforms, collaborating with designers and engineers to implement narrative systems.

You will lead storytelling efforts, develop lore, and ensure coherence and pacing while mentoring junior designers. This role rewards creativity, autonomy, and global collaboration from anywhere.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Creative Writing, Literature, Game Design, or related humanities, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years in narrative design, interactive storytelling, or game writing with a strong portfolio.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills with memorable characters and plots.
• Proficiency with narrative design tools (Twine, Articy:draft) and engines (Unity, Unreal) and scripting languages is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Design and write engaging, branching narratives, storylines, dialogue, and backstories for interactive projects.
• Develop and document narrative frameworks, world-building elements, and lore.
• Collaborate with designers, writers, and stakeholders for coherence and thematic consistency.
• Implement narrative content using proprietary tools and scripting languages with technical teams.
• Create interactive fiction elements including quest design, mission scripting, and choice-consequence systems.
• Conduct player-focused narrative research to inform design decisions and improve immersion.
• Mentor junior narrative designers and contribute to process improvements.
• Participate in playtesting to gather feedback and iterate on narrative design.
• Contribute to the overall creative vision and strategic direction of narrative content.

Skills

Creative writing

Narrative design

Storytelling

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Creative Writing, Literature, Game Design, or related humanities

Tools

Twine

Articy:draft

Unity

Unreal Engine

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in digital storytelling and interactive entertainment, is expanding its creative team and seeking a talented Senior Interactive Narrative Designer. This is a fully remote-first position, offering unparalleled flexibility to work from anywhere. You will be responsible for crafting compelling, branching narratives and character arcs that deeply engage players across various platforms. This role requires a unique blend of creative writing prowess, an understanding of player psychology, and the technical acumen to collaborate with development teams on implementing narrative systems. If you have a passion for weaving intricate stories that respond to player choices and a proven track record of delivering exceptional narrative experiences, we encourage you to apply. We are committed to building diverse, remote teams and empowering our employees to do their best work from wherever they are based. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of interactive storytelling from the ground up, contributing to projects that resonate with audiences worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and write engaging, branching narratives, storylines, dialogue, and character backstories for interactive entertainment projects.
• Develop and document narrative frameworks, world-building elements, and lore that enrich the player experience.
• Collaborate with game designers, writers, and other stakeholders to ensure narrative coherence and thematic consistency across all project aspects.
• Implement narrative content using proprietary tools and scripting languages, working closely with technical teams to integrate narrative systems effectively.
• Create interactive fiction elements, including quest design, mission scripting, and choice-and-consequence systems.
• Conduct player-focused narrative research and analysis to inform design decisions and enhance player immersion.
• Mentor junior narrative designers and contribute to the continuous improvement of narrative development processes.
• Participate in playtesting sessions to gather feedback and iterate on narrative design.
• Contribute to the overall creative vision and strategic direction of narrative content.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Creative Writing, Literature, Game Design, or a related humanities field, or equivalent extensive professional experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of professional experience in narrative design, interactive storytelling, or game writing, with a significant portfolio showcasing complex narrative systems.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with a demonstrated ability to craft emotionally resonant and memorable characters and plots.
• Proficiency with narrative design tools (e.g., Twine, Articy:draft) and game engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine).
• Experience with scripting languages (e.g., C#, Python, Lua) for narrative implementation is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of player motivation, agency, and narrative pacing in interactive media.
• Excellent collaboration, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex narrative concepts clearly.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a remote environment.
• A profound passion for arts and entertainment, and a deep appreciation for the power of story.

Benefits

This remote-first role offers a highly competitive salary, flexible working hours, and a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement contributions, and generous paid time off. Employees have access to online learning resources and opportunities to attend virtual industry events. Our client fosters a supportive and inclusive culture that values creativity, autonomy, and continuous learning. This is a fantastic chance to contribute to impactful projects from the comfort of your own home, making a real difference in the world of interactive entertainment.