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Associate Game Narrative Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Naughty Dog

Senior Game Designer (Combat)

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$145K - $181K/yr

... narrative, gameplay, and technology. Naughty Dog recently released The Last of Us Part II ... Mentor junior designers and contribute to the overall growth of the design team What skills you ...

Fanatics Collectibles

Game Designer - TCG

Seattle, WA

$176K/yr

Collaborate with narrative design, creative, and product teams to ensure mechanics are well ... Deep passion for trading card games as both a designer and a player Location All employees of ...

Fanatics Collectibles

Game Designer - TCG

Seattle, WA · On-site

$98K - $123K/yr

Collaborate with narrative design, creative, and product teams to ensure mechanics are well ... Deep passion for trading card games as both a designer and a player Location All employees of ...

Progressive Gaming

Game Designer

Reno, NV

$154K/yr

IGT is looking for a Game Designer who can inspire teams to create Class 3, land-based slot games ... Associate or bachelor's degree Experience: * 5+ years of professional experience in slot game ...

Progressive Gaming

Game Designer

Las Vegas, NV

$149K/yr

IGT is looking for a Game Designer who can inspire teams to create Class 3, land-based slot games ... Associate or bachelor's degree Experience: * 5+ years of professional experience in slot game ...

Lightspeed Studios

Senior Mission Designer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$93.10 - $216.70/hr

Collaborate with other game development teams--game designers, narrative designers, artists, and programmers--to ensure that the mission design aligns with the game's overall vision and mechanics.

IGT

Game Designer

Reno, NV

$154K/yr

IGT is looking for a Game Designer who can inspire teams to create Class 3, land-based slot games ... Associate or bachelor's degree Experience: * 5+ years of professional experience in slot game ...

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All JobsArts and Entertainment JobsArts JobsGame Designer JobsAssociate Game Narrative Designer Jobs

Associate Game Narrative Designer information

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$19.5K

$58.6K

$87.5K

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

As of Aug 22, 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.

What is an associate game narrative designer?

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.

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.

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 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.

More about Associate Game Narrative Designer jobs

What cities are hiring for Associate Game Narrative Designer jobs?

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What are the most commonly searched types of Game Narrative Designer jobs?

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States with the most job openings for Associate Game Narrative Designer jobs include:

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Associate Game Narrative Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Game Narrative Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,560 per year, or $28.2 per hour.

Game Designer, Technical (Contingent)

Naughty Dog

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

$56.70 - $65/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

This position is for temporary engagement through our staffing partner, Yoh Enterprise Solutions. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for this position.
This is a hybrid / onsite position.
For nearly 40 years, Naughty Dog has been crafting best-selling, critically acclaimed games that constantly push the boundaries of narrative, gameplay, and technology. Naughty Dog recently released The Last of Us Part II Remastered as well as a current generation remake of The Last of Us Part I for the PS5 . We're also proud to say that The Last of Us Part I is now available for the first time on PC. Currently, we're busy at the kennel working on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and The Last of Us Part II Remastered for PC and we'd love to find talented individuals to join us.
Naughty Dog games have long been lauded for their evocative, character-driven stories and attention to detail. We are committed to innovation within our games and as such have curated some of the top creative and technically innovative minds in the industry. We welcome diverse candidates and believe that a broad range of cultural and life experiences contribute to the overall well-being and success of the studio and the titles we craft together.
What you will do:
  • Prototyping, implementing, and owning gameplay scenarios, narrative sequences, interactive objects, AI behaviors, and other mechanics and systems.
  • Communicating with animation, programming, and art departments to effectively produce the assets and code support required for the areas you're owning.
  • Collaborating closely with lead designers and directors to effectively act on feedback and quickly iterate.

What skills will you use:
  • 2+ years of industry experience in Technical Design for games
  • Strong programming ability (Computer Science undergraduate degree
  • ‭ preferred)
  • Understanding of narrative principles and how to convey emotion through gameplay
  • Proficiency in 3D math
  • Fluent in C++, C#, Lua, or other text-based scripting language
  • Self-starter with excellent communication and teamwork skills

‭
Bonus Skills
  • ‭Experience developing third-person action games
  • Experience making improvements to tools and workflows
  • ‭Experience with the following areas of design
    • Behavior Trees
    • Melee
    • Combat Systems
    • Enemy & boss design

‭
‭Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression, and gender reassignment), race (including color, nationality, ethnic, national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.
We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees, and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.
#LI-SP3
At SIE, working with our partners, we consider several factors when setting each role's base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.
Please note that the individual base pay range may vary based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.
In addition, this role is eligible for benefit offerings that include medical, dental, and vision. Click here to learn more.
The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below, this is an hourly rate.
$56.70-$65 USD
Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.
Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice for more information about what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your data protection rights.

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