Lead Designer, Narrative

The Job 

As the Lead Designer, Narrative you will be responsible for collaborating with the Game and Creative directors to help shape the vision for a rich and immersive storytelling experience for the game.  You will be collaborating with writers, game designers, artists, and other members of the game team to ensure that the narrative elements elevate both the individual and shared player experiences. Your ability to craft engaging narratives that fit the dynamic nature of multiplayer environments will be key to this role. 

Your Role Accountabilities... 

The Lead Designer, Narrative for an online multiplayer RPG game plays a crucial role in shaping the narrative of the world, setting, time period, character development, tone, and world-building. 

• Story Development: Collaborate with the Game Director, Creative Director, and other stakeholders to shape the overarching story, lore, and universe of the game. Ensure the narrative aligns with the multiplayer dynamics and enhances player immersion. 

• Character Development: Design compelling characters with unique backstories, motivations, and growth arcs that resonate with players across various game modes. Bring in favorite characters from the existing canon and IP. Collaborate with designers and artists to make these characters vibrant in the world and feel alive. 

• World-Building: Develop a cohesive and engaging world that players can explore, interact with, and discover through in-game lore, dialogue, and events. Collaborate closely with the World design team to make sure the narrative is present throughout the world, activities, and missions/quests. 

• Dialog Writing: Collaborate with designers and other writers on the integration of dynamic dialog that responds to player actions and interactions in real-time multiplayer settings. 

• Collaborate with Design Teams: Work closely with level designers, mission designers, and gameplay teams to ensure narrative elements are harmoniously integrated into gameplay mechanics, objectives, and environments. 

• Story Integration in Multiplayer Systems: Craft narratives that adapt to multiplayer frameworks, including PvP (player vs. player) and PvE (player vs. environment) experiences, matchmaking, and live-service updates. 

• Team Leadership & Collaboration: Collaborate with a team of writers, and other narrative designers through the narrative development process. Provide clear feedback and ensure narrative consistency across all aspects of the game. 

• Iteration & Feedback: Adapt and refine narrative elements based on player feedback, game testing, and live-service data to maintain and improve the game's storytelling. 

Qualifications & Essentials... 

• 7+ years of experience in narrative design, with at least 3-5+ years leading or owning major online multiplayer story and narrative 

• Deep understanding of multiplayer storytelling as it relates to a living and breathing world 

• Deep understanding of what makes ongoing stories in large multiplayer worlds tick, what makes characters in those worlds compelling, and how player stories take the forefront of narrative development 

• Deep understanding of how narrative and story can be woven into the fabric of the overall game design 

• Strong collaboration and communication skills across departments, including design, engineering, art, narrative, and production. 

• Ability to conceptualize, prototype, and implement game features, strings, dialog, etc. 

• Proficiency with game design software (e.g., Unreal Engine, narrative pipeline tools, etc.). 

• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret player data and adjust designs accordingly. 

• Management experience working with AAA quality design cross functional teams. 

Nice to Haves... 

• Experience with implementing data informed game design and a passion for using metrics to enhance player experience. 

• Experience with scripting languages or a technical background is a plus. 

• Deep knowledge of industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in game design. 

• A passion for online multiplayer RPGs 

• A passion for the source material and IP we are working in