Narrative Systems Designer

3 Months ago • All levels • Systems Design

Job Summary

Job Description

Epic Games seeks a Narrative Systems Designer to collaborate on a new games and entertainment universe with Disney. Responsibilities include designing and implementing NPC interactions, focusing on character personality and narrative; thinking systemically about character interactions and story; working with leads to develop relationship systems; collaborating with production to prioritize work; creating engaging conversations and questlines; and utilizing emerging technologies to create believable characters. The role requires experience shipping AAA titles, deep narrative design understanding, implementation experience with game engines (preferably UE4/5), solid game design principles knowledge, and strong communication skills.
Must have:
  • Shipped multiple AAA titles as Game Designer
  • Deep understanding of narrative design (systemic & creative)
  • Implementation experience with game engines (UE4/5 preferred)
  • Solid understanding of game design principles
  • Ownership & communication skills
Perks:
  • 100% premium coverage (Medical, Dental, Vision)
  • Long Term Disability, Life Insurance
  • 401k with competitive match
  • Mental well-being program
  • Unlimited PTO and sick time
  • Paid sabbatical after 7 years

Job Details

WHAT MAKES US EPIC?

At the core of Epic’s success are talented, passionate people. Epic prides itself on creating a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment. Whether it’s building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make visually stunning interactive experiences, we’re always innovating.

Being Epic means being a part of a team that continually strives to do right by our community and users. We’re constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development.

DESIGN

What We Do

Put your design skills to work at a cutting-edge company that challenges the norm. From character and level design to competitive gameplay and system design, help shape the future of interactive entertainment at Epic.

What You'll Do

The Walt Disney Company and Epic Games are collaborating on an all-new games and entertainment universe.

In addition to being a world-class games experience, this new persistent universe will offer a multitude of opportunities for consumers to play, watch, and engage with content, characters, and stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar, and more.

Players, gamers, and fans of all kinds will be able to create their own stories and experiences, express their fandom in a distinctly Disney way, and share content with each other in ways that they love. Come join us in creating the future of interactive entertainment.

Epic Games is looking for a character-focused Narrative Systems Designer to join our dynamic team. You’ll be a key player on a team that designs, writes and implements NPC interactions that delight, engage, and retain players. You’ll also take part in discussions around new features, using your experience to help steer early ideas in the best direction.

In this role, you will

  • Design and implement NPC interactions with the player, focusing on each character's personality, background and narrative
  • Think about character interactions and story systemically, bringing both technical skills and a creative writing touch to your day-to-day work
  • Work closely with leads to develop and validate satisfying relationship systems with characters
  • Work with Production and your Leads to identify and prioritize work essential for creating these systems
  • Create deeply engaging conversations and questlines
  • Work with emerging technologies to help us shape the future of believable characters in games

What we're looking for

  • Experience shipping multiple AAA titles as a Game Designer
  • A deep understanding of narrative design: you think about story & narrative systemically as well as creatively
  • Implementation experience with development tools, game engines (preferably UE 4/5), and pipelines. Your ability to implement narrative systems in the engine will be a plus
  • A solid understanding of game design principles and player motivation
  • Ability to take ownership and communicate initiatives to ensure they are completed on time and in line with the design vision

EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE

Our intent is to cover all things that are medically necessary and improve the quality of life. We pay 100% of the premiums for both you and your dependents. Our coverage includes Medical, Dental, a Vision HRA, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance & a 401k with competitive match. We also offer a robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents. Throughout the year we celebrate our employees with events and company-wide paid breaks. We offer unlimited PTO and sick time and recognize individuals for 7 years of employment with a paid sabbatical.

ABOUT US

Epic Games spans across 25 countries with 46 studios and 4,500+ employees globally. For over 25 years, we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world-class talent.

Like what you hear? Come be a part of something Epic!

Epic Games deeply values diverse teams and an inclusive work culture, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Learn more about our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy .

Note to Recruitment Agencies: Epic does not accept any unsolicited resumes or approaches from any unauthorized third party (including recruitment or placement agencies) (i.e., a third party with whom we do not have a negotiated and validly executed agreement). We will not pay any fees to any unauthorized third party. Further details on these matters can be found .

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About The Company

Founded in 1991, Epic Games is a leading interactive entertainment company and provider of 3D engine technology. Epic operates Fortnite, one of the world’s largest games with over 350 million accounts and 2.5 billion friend connections. Epic also develops Unreal Engine, which powers the world’s leading games and is adopted across industries such as film and television, architecture, automotive, manufacturing, and simulation. Through Unreal Engine, Epic Games Store, and Epic Online Services, Epic provides an end-to-end digital ecosystem for developers and creators to build, distribute, and operate games and other content. Epic has over 40 offices worldwide with headquarters in Cary, North Carolina.

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