Senior Narrative Designer

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 550,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Professional development

Hybrid work

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Narrative Designer in Upington to craft stories and immersive worlds for upcoming projects. You will shape emotional core and player engagement, collaborating with writers, designers and artists to ensure cohesive narrative experiences.

Require 5+ years in narrative design or writing for games, strong writing and editing skills, and knowledge of world-building. Hybrid work arrangement in Upington, Northern Cape is offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in narrative design or writing for video games.
• Proven ability to develop narratives and characters for interactive media.
• Strong storytelling principles and character development.
• Excellent writing, editing and communication skills.
• Knowledge of world-building and lore creation.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement narrative elements, storylines, character arcs and dialogue.
• Collaborate with writers to ensure narrative consistency across assets.
• Develop and maintain narrative design documents and world lore.
• Integrate narrative into gameplay with level designers and artists.
• Craft dialogue reflecting character personality and plot progression.
• Ensure alignment with game design vision and player experience.
• Develop branching narratives and player choice systems.
• Participate in playtesting and provide feedback on pacing and emotion.
• Mentor junior narrative designers and writers.

Skills

Storytelling

Writing

Editing

Communication

Collaboration

Character development

World-building

Education

Bachelor's degree in English/Game Design

Tools

Twine

Ink

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a critically acclaimed game development studio located in Upington, Northern Cape , is seeking a creative and skilled Senior Narrative Designer to craft compelling stories and immersive worlds for their upcoming projects. This role is pivotal in shaping the emotional core and player engagement through thoughtful storytelling, character development, and world-building. You will work collaboratively with writers, designers, and artists to ensure a cohesive and impactful narrative experience. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of narrative structures, interactive storytelling techniques, and a passion for creating memorable characters and engaging plots. Join our client in the unique setting of Upington, Northern Cape , and contribute your storytelling prowess to impactful game experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement narrative elements, storylines, character arcs, and dialogue within the game.
• Collaborate with writers to ensure narrative consistency and quality across all dialogue and text assets.
• Develop and maintain narrative design documents, world lore, and character backstories.
• Work with level designers and artists to integrate narrative seamlessly into the game environment and gameplay.
• Craft compelling dialogue that reflects character personality and advances the plot.
• Ensure the narrative aligns with the overall game design vision and player experience.
• Develop branching narrative structures and player choice systems to enhance interactivity.
• Participate in playtesting and provide feedback on narrative pacing, clarity, and emotional impact.
• Mentor junior narrative designers and writers, offering guidance and feedback.
• Stay informed about advancements in narrative design and interactive storytelling techniques.

Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in narrative design or writing for video games.
• Proven experience in developing compelling narratives and characters for interactive media.
• Strong understanding of storytelling principles, narrative structures, and character development.
• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills.
• Experience with narrative tools and game engines (e.g., Twine, Ink, Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Ability to conceptualize and articulate complex story ideas.
• Strong collaboration and teamwork skills.
• Bachelor's degree in English, Creative Writing, Game Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• A portfolio showcasing narrative design work, writing samples, or shipped titles.
• Knowledge of world-building and lore creation.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and retirement savings plans.
• Employees receive generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and public holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development are provided through workshops, training, and industry engagement.
• The studio fosters a creative and collaborative work culture with a strong emphasis on work-life balance.
• This position offers a hybrid work arrangement and is based in Upington, Northern Cape .