Gaming Narrative Designer

** This is a contract position that starts ASAP and goes through June 30th, 2025, with potential to extend **

We are seeking a contract Narrative Game Designer for our client 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 team’s 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.

Requirements

• Years of Experience Required: 3-5 overall years of experience in the field.
• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience as Narrative Designer in game development.
• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience with Unreal Engine, including experience with Blueprint and other in-engine narrative tools.
• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience with Game development experience and commercial game engines.
• Degrees or certifications required: No degree is required to be eligible for this role.
• Disqualifiers: Candidates with 6 or more years of experience will not be eligible for the role.
• Best vs. Average: The ideal resume would contain the below –

1. Game development experience
2. Experience as a Narrative Designer, Game Designer, or similar role in a professional game development environment.
3. Proficiency with Unreal Engine, including experience with Blueprint and other in-engine narrative tools.
4. Strong understanding of narrative structure in video games. Experience with scripting and integrating narrative systems (dialogue trees, branching paths, etc.).
5. Knowledge of game development pipelines and experience working in cross-functional teams.

Benefits

Compensation Range:

$34.00 - $39.00/hr

** This pay range is Client-specific for the opening advertised. The identity of the Client will be disclosed if you are selected to move forward in the hiring process. **

Benefits:

• 75% of employee-only Medical & Dental coverage
• Vision - opt-in available
• 401k
• PTO
• Laptop
• Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, AD&D coverage
• Short-term Disability, Accident, Cancer/Critical Illness, Pet insurance - opt in available