Writer

1 Month ago • All levels • Game Story Writing/Narrative Design

About the job

Job Description

Undead Labs seeks a creative Writer for a 12-month contract to contribute to State of Decay 3. Responsibilities include writing high-volume character dialogue, collaborating with the narrative team on story content aligned with the game's vision, conducting in-depth research, and creating supporting game production content (world descriptions, character outlines, etc.). The ideal candidate possesses proven video game writing success, strong organizational skills, a deep understanding of open-world narrative design, and excellent characterization abilities. The role requires effective teamwork and a willingness to learn voice-over and scripting software. This is a hybrid position requiring at least 3 days a week in the Seattle office.
Must have:
  • Proven video game writing experience
  • Excellent organizational & writing skills
  • Understanding of open-world narrative design
  • Strong characterization abilities
  • Effective team collaboration
Good to have:
  • Unreal Engine experience
  • VO recording session experience
Perks:
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Discretionary Time Off (DTO)
  • 401k plan with 50% matching
  • Subsidized transportation
  • Professional growth resources
  • Microsoft Games store discounts
Not hearing back from companies?
Unlock the secrets to a successful job application and accelerate your journey to your next opportunity.

We are creators of the hit survival-fantasy franchise State of Decay with a fan base of over 10 million players. As an independent member of Xbox Game Studios, we collaborate with a huge network of skilled specialists in all disciplines, providing incredible opportunities for joint development and learning.

This is a 12-month contract role.

Undead Labs is seeking a creative and talented Writer to join our narrative team to help develop rich, systems-driven, character-anchored stories for State of Decay 3. As a member of our narrative team, you’ll have the ability to seamlessly weave compelling narratives that involve a diverse range of characters, immersing our players in an expansive open-world experience.

At Undead Labs we work in highly collaborative, cross-discipline teams because we understand that the best ideas are ones we generate together. We’re humble and curious in our work while always striving to make things better – for our players, for each other, and for our industry. Everyone here is committed to helping the team thrive, enabling us to rise to the moment and build amazing games.

This is a hybrid position with an expectation of working on-site in our Seattle office at least 3 days per week.

Candidates must provide 2 writing samples along with their resume and cover letter.

What you’ll do

  • Write high volumes of character dialogue in a variety of contexts, capturing distinct voices and bringing depth and authenticity to our roster of characters.
  • Collaborate closely with the narrative team, project leads, and content designers to craft story content in tight alignment with the game's creative vision.
  • Conduct in-depth research to mold the story and the characters accordingly.
  • Write accompanying game production content, such as world descriptions and tips, character outlines, casting documents, etc.

Core Traits & Experience

  • Proven and recurring success writing for video games.
  • Excellent organizational skills. Able to produce quality writing on schedule with minimal supervision. 
  • Strong understanding of open-world narrative design, non-linear content structures, and player-responsive dialogue systems.
  • Excellent command of vocal characterization, with proven capacities to strike, develop, and maintain a wide variety of diverse character voices, patterns of speech, and personalities.
  • Effective collaborating with a team, brainstorming creative solutions, and generating constructive feedback on narrative and design content.
  • If unfamiliar, a willingness to learn voice over and script writing software for writing implementation.

Bonus Traits & Experience

  • Experience working with Unreal Engine.
  • Experience sitting in on VO recording sessions and providing supporting context to voice actors and VO directors as needed.

The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $50-$65 an hour.

The range above reflects the potential base pay across the U.S. for this role (except as noted below); the applicable base range will depend on various factors, such as complexity and responsibility of the role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills. Base pay ranges are reviewed and typically updated each year. Offers are made within the base pay range applicable at the time.

Physical Requirements

Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

  • Close vision to monitors and screens, consistently working on computer equipment such as keyboards and monitors, long periods of sitting.
  • Noise levels are low to moderate in the work environment.

Benefits & Perks

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Undead Labs and the state in which you work.

  • Medical, dental, and vision health insurance
  • Discretionary Time Off DTO and studio holiday closure in December
  • 401k plan with 50% matching
  • Subsidized transportation to and from work
  • Professional growth resources
  • Discounts on the Microsoft Games store

Undead Labs is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances.

View Full Job Description
$50.0K - $65.0K/yr (Outscal est.)
$57.5K/yr avg.
Seattle, Washington, United States

Add your resume

80%

Upload your resume, increase your shortlisting chances by 80%

About The Company

Undead Labs is a Seattle, Washington-based game development studio that’s on a mission to take online gaming in bold new directions. We are the creators of the hit zombie apocalypse survival franchise State of Decay. Undead Labs is a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft.

Get notified when new jobs are added by Undead Labs

Similar Jobs

Sperasoft - Lead Concept Artist

Sperasoft, Poland (Hybrid)

Virtuos - Build Engineer

Virtuos, France (Hybrid)

AirlabInc - LEVEL DESIGNER

AirlabInc, Canada (On-Site)

Virtuos - Senior Software Engineer

Virtuos, Malaysia (On-Site)

CD PROJEKT RED - Senior Previz Artist

CD PROJEKT RED, Poland (Hybrid)

Embark Studios - Narrative Writer

Embark Studios, Sweden (On-Site)

Light Speed Studios - ナラティブデザイナー|Narrative Designer

Light Speed Studios, Japan (On-Site)

IO Interactive - Cinematic Director

IO Interactive, Sweden (Hybrid)

Atomic Cartoons - CG Senior Designer

Atomic Cartoons, Canada (Hybrid)

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Similar Skill Jobs

Quince - Software Development Engineer - 2

Quince, India (Hybrid)

People Can Fly - Senior Backend Programmer

People Can Fly, Poland (Remote)

IO Interactive - Cinematic Artist

IO Interactive, Türkiye (On-Site)

CD PROJEKT RED - Lead PCG/Tools Engineer

CD PROJEKT RED, United States (Hybrid)

Starbreeze Studios - Lead Gameplay Programmer (Project Baxter)

Starbreeze Studios, Sweden (Hybrid)

Playrix - Lead VFX Artist

Playrix, Ukraine (Remote)

The Gang - Game Programmer Intern

The Gang, Malaysia (Remote)

Digital Extremes - Lead Motion Graphics Specialist

Digital Extremes, Canada (On-Site)

LiquidX Studio - Real Time VFX Artist (Remote)

LiquidX Studio, Singapore (Remote)

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Jobs in Seattle, Washington, United States

Lifechurch - Network Engineer

Lifechurch, United States (On-Site)

Postman - Software Engineer (Frontend), Growth Engineering

Postman, United States (On-Site)

Salesforce - Data Engineer

Salesforce, United States (Hybrid)

scaleai - Business Data Analyst

scaleai, United States (On-Site)

Blizzard Entertainment - Senior Software Engineer - Tools | Overwatch | Irvine, CA

Blizzard Entertainment, United States (On-Site)

PlayStation Global - Site Reliability Engineer Intern - Undergraduate

PlayStation Global, United States (Hybrid)

The Walt Disney Company - Senior Software Engineer

The Walt Disney Company, United States (On-Site)

MIPS - Floating Point Datapath Microarchitect

MIPS, United States (On-Site)

Onward Search - Business Development Representative

Onward Search, United States (On-Site)

Trackman - Golf Simulator Installation Specialist

Trackman, United States (On-Site)

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Game Story Writing/Narrative Design Jobs

Wooga - Game Writer

Wooga, Germany (Hybrid)

Ubisoft - Cinematic Director

Ubisoft, Singapore (On-Site)

Saheb Productions - Assitant Director

Saheb Productions, India (On-Site)

Tencent - Principal Cinematic Artist

Tencent, Canada (On-Site)

Riot Games - Senior Narrative Designer - R&D Shanghai

Riot Games, China (On-Site)

Guru Studio - Layout Artist: Paw Patrol Specials

Guru Studio, Canada (Hybrid)

Hasbro - Story Game Designer

Hasbro, United States (On-Site)

Atomic Cartoons - CG FX Artist

Atomic Cartoons, Canada (Hybrid)

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded