Senior Narrative Designer & Writer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement planning

Paid time off

Hybrid role

Job summary

Placements24 in Sandton, Gauteng, is seeking a Senior Narrative Designer & Writer to craft immersive stories, characters, and dialogue for ambitious narrative-driven games. You will shape storylines, build narrative systems, and ensure cohesive player experiences, collaborating with designers, artists, and other writers to weave narrative into gameplay.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of experience, a published portfolio, and strong writing/editing skills, plus familiarity with Unreal Engine,

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in narrative design and/or writing for video games.
• Portfolio of published work showcasing strong narrative writing and design skills.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading with keen attention to detail.
• Experience designing narrative systems within game engines (Unreal Engine, Twine, or similar).
• Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing, English, Game Design, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and write compelling storylines, backstories, dialogue, and in-game text.
• Design and implement narrative systems, including quest structures, branching dialogue, and lore integration.
• Collaborate with game designers to ensure narrative enhances gameplay mechanics and player agency.
• Work with level designers and environment artists to integrate narrative into the game world through environmental storytelling.
• Create and maintain narrative documentation, including story bibles, character profiles, and script outlines.
• Ensure consistency in tone, voice, and lore across all narrative content.
• Conduct narrative reviews and provide constructive feedback to other writers and team members.
• Adapt narrative content for different platforms and audiences as needed.
• Stay informed about trends in interactive narrative and storytelling.

Skills

Narrative design

Writing & editing

Portfolio of published work

Game engines experience

Character/dialogue writing

Team collaboration

Project documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Unreal Engine

Twine

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a studio celebrated for its compelling storytelling and rich lore, is looking for a Senior Narrative Designer & Writer to join their team in Sandton, Gauteng . This role is fundamental to crafting the immersive narratives, characters, and dialogue that define our games. You will be responsible for developing intricate storylines, writing engaging scripts, designing narrative systems, and ensuring a cohesive and impactful player experience. The ideal candidate possesses exceptional writing skills, a keen understanding of interactive storytelling, and a proven ability to create memorable characters and worlds. You will collaborate closely with game designers, artists, and other writers to weave narrative elements seamlessly into the gameplay. This is an outstanding opportunity to shape the voice and story of ambitious, narrative-driven projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and write compelling storylines, character backstories, dialogue, and in-game text.
• Design and implement narrative systems, including quest structures, branching dialogue, and lore integration.
• Collaborate with game designers to ensure narrative elements enhance gameplay mechanics and player agency.
• Work with level designers and environment artists to integrate narrative into the game world through environmental storytelling.
• Create and maintain narrative documentation, including story bibles, character profiles, and script outlines.
• Ensure consistency in tone, voice, and lore across all narrative content.
• Conduct narrative reviews and provide constructive feedback to other writers and team members.
• Adapt narrative content for different platforms and audiences as needed.
• Stay informed about trends in interactive narrative and storytelling.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in narrative design and/or writing for video games.
• Demonstrable portfolio of published work showcasing strong narrative writing and design skills.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills with a keen eye for detail.
• Experience designing and implementing narrative systems within game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine's UMG, Twine, or proprietary tools).
• Understanding of game design principles and how narrative interacts with gameplay.
• Ability to create believable characters and engaging dialogue.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple narrative threads and documentation.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team.
• Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing, English, Game Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement planning, and paid time off. This hybrid role allows for flexibility, enabling you to balance remote work with in-office collaboration at our creative studio in Sandton, Gauteng . You will have access to state-of-the‑art tools and technologies, opportunities for professional development, and a stimulating work environment that encourages creativity and innovation. Join a talented and passionate team dedicated to crafting unforgettable stories and experiences, and play a vital role in the success of our narrative-driven games.