Narrative Game Designer

Overview

This is a remote role based out of Santa Monica.
Pay Range: $35/hr – $41/hr​

We are seeking a contract Narrative Game Designer with a passion for storytelling and an understanding of narrative structure in interactive environments. The ideal candidate will have multiple years of professional experience in a game development environment and the technical expertise in Unreal Engine. You will collaborate with design, art, and programming teams to craft compelling, player-driven stories that enhance gameplay and deepen immersion.

As part of the team, you will be responsible for designing, writing, and implementing narrative elements, as well as contributing to the overall game structure. Your technical skills in Unreal Engine will enable you integrate narrative content directly into the game, working closely with the technical and design teams to ensure seamless integration of story and gameplay.

Responsibilities:

• Develop narrative concepts and story arcs that align with our client’s game vision and tone. Ensure consistent tone, style, and pacing throughout the game’s story.
• Collaborate with the design team to ensure narrative cohesion with gameplay mechanics and level design.
• Implement narrative sequences within Unreal Engine, including cutscenes, in-game dialogue, NPC barks / context-specific dialogue, and scripted events.
• Use Unreal Engine’s tools i.e. Blueprint to prototype and integrate narrative elements into the game world.
• Work closely with other departments to ensure narrative elements are realized effectively and align with the overall game experience.
• Provide feedback on narrative gameplay features, and contribute to discussions around pacing, difficulty, and player engagement.
• Test, iterate, and debug narrative content, ensuring seamless player experience and fixing any narrative or dialogue-related bugs.

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience as a Narrative Designer, Game Designer, or similar role in a professional game development environment.
• Proficiency with Unreal Engine, including experience with Blueprint and other in-engine narrative tools.
• Strong understanding of narrative structure in video games. Experience with scripting and integrating narrative systems.
• Knowledge of game development pipelines and experience working in cross-functional teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of game AI systems and how they can be used to enhance narrative experiences.
• Understanding of visual scripting languages or other programming languages is a plus.
• Strong organizational skills, able to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams.

The target hiring compensation range for this role is $35/hr – $41/hr. Compensation is based on several factors including, but not limited to education, relevant work experience, relevant certifications, and location.