1

Associate Game Narrative Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Reporting to the Game Director, you will own narrative across chapters, seasonal events, and live ... Design story beats alongside game designers so the player drives the narrative rather than ...

Reporting to the Game Director, you will own narrative across chapters, seasonal events, and live ... Design story beats alongside game designers so the player drives the narrative rather than ...

From our genre-defining games like Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons to our growing ... The Magic Studio has an exciting opportunity for a Narrative Designer on our Magic team! Magic ...

From our genre-defining games like Magic: The Gathering ® and Dungeons & Dragons ® to our growing ... The Magic Studio has an exciting opportunity for a Narrative Designer on our Magic team! Magic ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Associate Game Narrative Designer information

See salary details

$19.5K

$58.6K

$87.5K

How much do associate game narrative designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate game narrative designer in the United States is $58,560.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,500.00 and $68,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do game narrative designers make?

Game narrative designers typically earn between $50,000 and $90,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of projects. Senior designers or those working on AAA titles can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $100,000. Skills in storytelling, scripting, and familiarity with tools like Twine or Ink can influence earning potential.

What is the difference between Associate Game Narrative Designer vs Game Narrative Designer?

AspectAssociate Game Narrative DesignerGame Narrative Designer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Creative Writing, Game Design, or related field; some experienceSimilar educational background; more experience required
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, collaborative teams in game studiosMid-level, leading narrative projects in game development
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in game studios for supporting rolesUsed for more senior narrative roles in the industry
Search & Comparison IntentOften searched by those starting in game narrative rolesOften searched by those with some experience seeking advancement

The main difference between an Associate Game Narrative Designer and a Game Narrative Designer lies in experience and responsibility. The associate role is typically entry-level, focusing on supporting narrative tasks, while the Game Narrative Designer has more experience and leads narrative development. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work environments, but the level of responsibility and expertise distinguishes them.

Are narrative designers in demand?

Narrative designers, including associate game narrative designers, are increasingly in demand as storytelling becomes a key aspect of game development. Employers seek candidates with strong writing skills, experience with scripting tools, and the ability to craft engaging storylines for diverse gaming platforms, reflecting the industry's focus on immersive experiences.

What are Associate Game Narrative Designers?

Associate Game Narrative Designers are entry-level professionals who help create and implement the story, dialogue, and narrative elements in video games. They work closely with senior narrative designers, writers, and game developers to craft compelling storylines, character arcs, and in-game text. Their responsibilities often include writing dialogue, developing lore, and ensuring consistency in the game's narrative. This role is a great starting point for those looking to build a career in game writing and storytelling.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Game Narrative Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Game Narrative Designer, strong storytelling abilities, a background in creative writing or related fields, and a passion for interactive media are essential. Familiarity with narrative design tools such as Twine, Ink, or proprietary game engines, along with basic scripting knowledge, is typically expected. Excellent communication, collaboration, and adaptability help you work effectively with cross-functional teams and respond to feedback. These skills ensure compelling narrative experiences that engage players and integrate seamlessly with gameplay.

What does an associate game designer do?

An associate game designer supports the development of game narratives, mechanics, and level design by collaborating with senior designers and writers. They often assist with brainstorming, creating story assets, and implementing design elements using tools like game engines, while developing skills in storytelling and game development processes.

What does a game narrative designer do?

A game narrative designer creates and develops the story, characters, dialogue, and world-building elements for video games. They collaborate with designers, artists, and programmers to ensure the narrative aligns with gameplay and enhances player engagement, often using tools like storyboards and scripting software.

How does an Associate Game Narrative Designer typically collaborate with other departments during game development?

As an Associate Game Narrative Designer, you will work closely with various teams such as design, art, audio, and programming to ensure that the game's story is seamlessly integrated into gameplay and visuals. Collaboration often includes attending cross-disciplinary meetings, providing narrative feedback on level or mission designs, and adapting scripts based on technical or artistic constraints. Effective communication and flexibility are key, as you may need to revise dialogue or narrative elements to fit changes in the game's mechanics or pacing. This collaborative environment not only enriches the game's storytelling but also provides valuable opportunities to learn from experienced professionals in other fields.
More about Associate Game Narrative Designer jobs
What cities are hiring for Associate Game Narrative Designer jobs? Cities with the most Associate Game Narrative Designer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Game Narrative Designer jobs? The most popular types of Game Narrative Designer jobs are:
What states have the most Associate Game Narrative Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Associate Game Narrative Designer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Associate Game Narrative Designer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Game Narrative Designer jobs are:
Senior Narrative Designer (6-Month Contract)

Senior Narrative Designer (6-Month Contract)

Gunfire Games

Austin, TX • On-site

$101K - $108K/yr

Full-time, Contractor

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

Description:

What We Do:

At Gunfire Games, we’re passionate about creating unforgettable worlds and experiences. With a legacy built on titles like Darksiders III, Chronos, and the Remnant series, we continue to push the boundaries of game development through creativity, collaboration, and a relentless commitment to quality. We’re looking for talented, passionate developers who are excited to help shape the next chapter of our story.


Gunfire Games is seeking a highly skilled Senior Narrative Designer on a contract basis for 6 months with the possibility of extension to help shape the stories, characters, and worlds that define our upcoming titles. This role sits at the intersection of storytelling and gameplay, partnering closely with Design, Art, Engineering, Audio, Animation, and Creative Direction to create compelling narrative experiences that feel seamlessly woven into the player journey.


This is a contract opportunity for an experienced narrative designer who thrives in a collaborative game development environment and can help deliver high-quality narrative experiences within a production-focused team.


We are specifically seeking designers with demonstrated experience crafting narrative for PC and console games. Candidates should have portfolios that showcase narrative design documentation, shipped game work, dialogue, quest design, or world-building that complements the dark fantasy, post-apocalyptic, and action-oriented worlds that define Gunfire Games titles.


Portfolios consisting primarily of novels, screenplays, film, television, or other non-interactive writing samples are not a fit for this role unless accompanied by relevant game development experience.


Requirements:

What You'll Do:

  • Develop compelling narrative concepts, story arcs, characters, factions, and world lore.
  • Collaborate with creative direction and cross-functional teams to develop and deliver a cohesive narrative vision.
  • Partner with level designers to create meaningful environmental storytelling and memorable gameplay-driven narrative moments.
  • Write, edit and implement dialogue, item descriptions, codex entries, barks, and other in-game narrative content.
  • Update and maintain narrative documentation, including lore guides, dialogue documentation, and narrative flows.
  • Work closely with cinematic, audio, and voice-over teams to support high-quality narrative implementation.
  • Work within development tools such as Jira, Trello and Miro to track narrative tasks, document changes and ensure alignment across discipline throughout production.
  • Champion storytelling that enhances gameplay, allowing players to uncover the world's history through exploration, combat, and interaction rather than exposition alone.

Who You Are:

  • 7+ years of professional game development experience in Narrative Design, Game Design, or a closely related discipline.
  • Experience working in Unreal Engine.
  • You have shipped at least one AA or AAA title in a Narrative Designer role.
  • Exceptional storytelling, dialogue writing, and world-building abilities.
  • Deep understanding of how narrative supports gameplay, player agency, and level design.
  • Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams throughout all phases of game development.
  • Strong communication, documentation, and organizational skills.
  • Proven ability to provide creative feedback and collaborate effectively with senior development teams.
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced, iterative production environment with evolving project needs.
  • Passionate about creating memorable worlds, characters, and stories through interactive experiences.
  • You can provide portfolio pieces demonstrating narrative design work, including shipped games, documentation, dialogue samples, quest design, or comparable interactive storytelling examples.

Bonus XP:

  • Experience developing action, action RPG, shooter, or adventure games.
  • Familiarity with cinematic pipelines, dialogue implementation, and narrative scripting tools.
  • Experience designing branching dialogue, reactive narrative systems, or player-driven storytelling.
  • Experience collaborating on voice-over recording sessions or cinematic production.
  • Passion for dark fantasy, post-apocalyptic, science fiction, or horror worlds.

The responsibilities listed above are not intended to be exhaustive. The selected contractor may be expected to perform additional duties as required.


This position is offered as a six-month contract position, with the possibility of extension based on project needs, performance, and business requirements. This is not a regular full-time employee position. Contract terms, duration, and compensation will be discussed with qualified candidates based on their experience, skills, and alignment with the needs of the project.


Gunfire Games LLC is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified candidates for contract opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital status, military or veteran status (including protected veterans, as may be required by federal law), sexual orientation, or any other category protected by law.