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Associate Narrative Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Vail Resorts Corporate

$80K - $100K/yr

Work in close partnership with an Art Director and Associate Creative Director to lead ideas from ... designers, producers, account teams, and external partners along the way. * Present work with ...

LEO Events

Experiential Designer

Memphis, TN · On-site

Contribute to RFP responses and pitch presentations with creative content, visuals, and supporting narrative. Manage and mentor Associate Experiential Designers, overseeing day-to-day activities ...

LEO Events

Experiential Designer

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

Contribute to RFP responses and pitch presentations with creative content, visuals, and supporting narrative. Manage and mentor Associate Experiential Designers, overseeing day-to-day activities ...

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Associate Narrative Designer information

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$19.5K

$58.6K

$87.5K

How much do associate narrative designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate 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 Narrative Designer vs Narrative Designer?

AspectAssociate Narrative DesignerNarrative Designer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Creative Writing, Game Design, or related field; some experience in storytelling or game developmentSimilar educational background; often requires more professional experience in narrative development
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with writers, designers, and developers in game studios; entry to mid-level roleLeads narrative development, works closely with creative directors; more senior responsibilities
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across gaming companies, especially in AAA and indie studiosCommonly used for experienced roles in the same industry

The main difference is that an Associate Narrative Designer is an entry-level or supporting role focusing on assisting with storytelling tasks, while a Narrative Designer has more experience and takes on greater responsibility for crafting and overseeing the game's narrative. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and are integral to game storytelling teams, but the Narrative Designer typically leads narrative development efforts.

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

To thrive as an Associate Narrative Designer, you need a solid grasp of creative writing, storytelling techniques, and an understanding of game design principles, often supported by a relevant degree or portfolio. Familiarity with interactive narrative tools such as Twine, Ink, or game engines like Unity, and experience with scripting languages are typically required. Strong collaboration, adaptability, and clear communication set standout candidates apart in this role. These skills ensure engaging story experiences that align with gameplay, fostering player immersion and supporting the overall vision of the game.

What are Associate Narrative Designers?

Associate Narrative Designers are entry-level professionals who help create the story, dialogue, and overall narrative structure for video games or interactive media. They work closely with senior narrative designers, writers, and other game development team members to develop characters, plotlines, and immersive storytelling experiences. Their responsibilities often include writing in-game text, assisting with world-building, and ensuring the narrative aligns with gameplay and design. This role is ideal for individuals with strong writing skills, creativity, and a passion for storytelling in interactive formats.

What are some common challenges Associate Narrative Designers face when collaborating with other departments in game development?

Associate Narrative Designers often work closely with game designers, artists, and developers to ensure story elements align seamlessly with gameplay and visuals. A frequent challenge is balancing narrative ambitions with technical or design constraints, which requires strong communication and adaptability. It's important to be receptive to feedback and willing to iterate on narrative elements to fit the overall vision and limitations of the project. Building trust and maintaining open dialogue with cross-functional teams helps ensure the final product delivers both engaging storytelling and cohesive gameplay.
What cities are hiring for Associate Narrative Designer jobs? Cities with the most Associate Narrative Designer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Narrative Designer jobs? The most popular types of Narrative Designer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Associate Narrative Designer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 30% 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.
Associate Game Designer, Technical

Associate Game Designer, Technical

Naughty Dog

Santa Monica, CA

Other

Posted 6 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.

In this role you'll be responsible for prototyping gameplay using our in-house tools and scripting language, which could range from combat encounters to narrative sequences to player mechanics and enemy behaviors. Then working across departments to bring your prototypes into production and polish your work to the high level of quality Naughty Dog is known for.  We're looking for self-motivated, proactive designers who enjoy creating unique experiences and can combine their technical and creative skills while iterating rapidly.

 What you will do 

  • Prototyping, implementing, and owning gameplay scenarios, narrative sequences, interactive objects, and AI behaviors
  • Collaborating with the Design team to conceptualize, prototype, implement, tune, and balance gameplay 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
  • Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed

 What skills will you use

  • Significant programming ability (Computer Science undergraduate degree preferred)
  • Knowledge of 3D math
  • Experience with C++, C#, Lua, or other scripting language
  • Broad understanding of gaming landscape
  • Self-starter with excellent communication and teamwork skills
  • Willingness to take design direction when offered, brainstorm, iterate and come up with fun and creative solutions
  • Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed

 Bonus Skills

  • Experience developing third-person action games
  • Experience with 3D level editors
  • Understanding of narrative principles, and conveying emotion through gameplay
  • Experience with the following areas of design
    • Behavior Trees
    • Melee
    • Combat Systems
    • Character animation
    • Enemy & boss design

As part of the Naughty Dog application process, candidates should expect to be given a technical interview

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