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Associate Game Narrative Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

playstudios

Lead Game Designer

Las Vegas, NV · On-site +1

As a Lead Game Designer , you will lead the design process, collaborating with the rest of the team ... Write copy, messaging, and narrative elements of the game * Create and maintain storyboards ...

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 ...

Embedding VC

Founding Game Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$182K/yr

The world is generated and the narrative is emergent. The content adapts to each child's interests and developmental needs in real time. The game designer's job isn't to build levels, it's to design ...

Playstudios US LLC

Lead Game Designer

Austin, TX · On-site

As a Lead Game Designer , you will lead the design process, collaborating with the rest of the team ... Write copy, messaging, and narrative elements of the game * Create and maintain storyboards ...

Govcio LLC

$150K - $200K/yr

GovCIO is currently hiring for Video Game Designer/Simulation Producer to lead the narrative and experiential design of advanced immersive simulation environments, ensuring all technical, visual, and ...

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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 Jun 18, 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 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.

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.

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
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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 June 2026, with employment types broken down into 64% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 24% Contract, and 6% Nights. 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.
Senior Game Designer (Combat)

Senior Game Designer (Combat)

PlayStation Global

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

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 Parts I and II are now available for the first time on PC. Currently, we're busy at the kennel working onIntergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, 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: 

  • Pitch, design, implement, and own enemy NPC archetypes 
  • Work with AI programmers to develop foundational NPC technology and implementing and tuning enemy AI behaviors 
  • Work with animators to develop enemy locomotion and traversal, melee moves, ambient behaviors, and other custom abilities. Make every enemy archetype feel unique and memorable 
  • Collaborate with the Design team to conceptualize, prototype, implement, tune, and balance gameplay mechanics and systems  
  • Communicate with animation, programming, and art departments to effectively produce the assets and code support required for the enemies you're owning 
  • Write and maintain documentation that establishes the core vision of the enemy archetypes  
  • Drive communication and collaboration for enemies you design and the levels they are in, ensuring communication across disciplines and meeting deadlines  
  • Effective and respectful communicator and collaborator, both with other designers and members of other departments  
  • Facilitate playtesting and feedback sessions to iterate on combat systems and fine-tune them based on player experiences 
  • Mentor junior designers and contribute to the overall growth of the design team 

What skills you will use:  

  • 5+ years of industry experience in combat design and/or technical design for games, specifically focused on developing action-adventure or shooter games 
  • At least one shipped title as a combat designer or similar role. Experience with behavior trees or similar NPC AI concepts preferred 
  • Strong coding ability: Computer Science degree preferred though not required  
  • Proficient in using game engines and tools (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) for combat implementation and design scripting (C#, Lua, Visual Scripting)  
  • Welcomes feedback on their work and embraces the "let's try it" mentality 
  • Proficient and effective communication skills, including diagramming and sketching 
  • Fluent in modern character action-adventure and shooter combat games. Maintains knowledge of the broader gaming landscape trends  
  • Knowledge of narrative structure and how it intersects with gameplay and combat 
  • A keen eye for detail in character action games, able to tune gameplay systems to make them feel smooth and impactful  
  • Strong leadership and mentoring skills 

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