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Full Time Game Narrative Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Naughty Dog

Senior Technical Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$145K - $181K/yr

Prototyping, implementing, and owning gameplay scenarios, narrative sequences, interactive objects ... Working with minimal supervision while keeping lead designers and directors well-informed. What ...

CD PROJEKT RED

Lead Narrative Producer

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$143K - $218K/yr

If you are passionate about creating games and have the experience guiding teams to success, don't ... Working mode: in-office in a hybrid or full-time capacity. Health & Well-Being * Company-paid ...

New

CD PROJEKT RED

Lead Narrative Producer

Boston, MA · On-site

$143K - $218K/yr

If you are passionate about creating games and have the experience guiding teams to success, don't ... Working mode: in-office in a hybrid or full-time capacity. Health & Well-Being * Company-paid ...

New

2K

Senior Combat Designer (Encounters)

Novato, CA · On-site

$100K - $148K/yr

... our game, crafting engaging, high-quality combat encounters and narrative-driven events. You're a ... Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Combat Designer (Encounters)

Novato, CA · On-site

$100K - $148K/yr

... our game, crafting engaging, high-quality combat encounters and narrative-driven events. You're a ... Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including ...

Aspyr Media, Inc.

Contractor - Senior Designer

Austin, TX · On-site

$101K - $108K/yr

The Contractor - Senior Designer will work on specific projects to function as a design authority ... Assess how narrative beats and progression are supported by gameplay systems * Help teams integrate ...

ALO

Footwear Designer

Beverly Hills, CA · On-site

We expect you to explore new opportunities, take risks, and change the game! In your day to day ... narrative of the product. * You will work directly with the VP to execute seasonal projects ...

AGBO

Senior Level Designer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$99K - $106K/yr

You will design and build gameplay spaces, including test maps and sandbox environments, that ... Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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Full Time Game Narrative Designer information

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$156K

How much do full time game narrative designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for full time game narrative designer in the United States is $149,118.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $155,000.00 and $155,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Full Time Game Narrative Designer?

A Full Time Game Narrative Designer is a professional responsible for creating and shaping the story, dialogue, and overall narrative experience within a video game. They work closely with game developers, artists, and other writers to ensure that the narrative elements align with gameplay and visual design. Their role includes developing characters, writing scripts, designing branching story paths, and integrating narrative with gameplay mechanics. Full time positions typically involve working regular hours as part of a studio’s core team, collaborating throughout the entire game development process.

What is the difference between Full Time Game Narrative Designer vs Full Time Game Writer?

AspectFull Time Game Narrative DesignerFull Time Game Writer
Primary RoleDesigns story structure, character arcs, and narrative flow for gamesCreates dialogue, scripts, and written content for games
Skills & CredentialsStorytelling, game design, narrative scripting, often with a background in creative writing or game designWriting, scripting, storytelling, with a focus on dialogue and narrative content
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with designers, artists, and developers within game development teamsWorks closely with writers, designers, and voice actors in a similar environment

While both roles focus on storytelling, the Full Time Game Narrative Designer primarily crafts the overall story structure and narrative experience, whereas the Full Time Game Writer focuses on scripting dialogue and specific written content. Both roles require strong storytelling skills and collaboration within game development teams, but they differ in scope and focus.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Full Time Game Narrative Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Full Time Game Narrative Designer, you need strong storytelling abilities, creative writing skills, and a solid understanding of game design principles, often supported by a degree in creative writing, English, or game design. Familiarity with interactive narrative tools like Twine, Ink, or scripting systems within engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine is typically required. Excellent collaboration, adaptability, and communication skills help you work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and respond to iterative feedback. These skills are crucial for creating immersive, engaging narratives that enhance the overall player experience and align with the game's vision.

What are some of the main challenges a Full Time Game Narrative Designer faces when integrating story elements into gameplay?

A major challenge for Full Time Game Narrative Designers is ensuring that narrative elements are seamlessly woven into gameplay without disrupting player immersion. Balancing storytelling with interactive mechanics often requires close collaboration with game designers, artists, and programmers. Designers must adapt storylines to fit technical constraints and player choices, all while maintaining a cohesive and engaging narrative. This often involves revising dialogue, pacing story beats, and responding to feedback from playtesting sessions.
More about Full Time Game Narrative Designer jobs
What cities are hiring for Full Time Game Narrative Designer jobs? Cities with the most Full Time 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 Full Time Game Narrative Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Full Time Game Narrative Designer jobs include:
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Full Time Game Narrative Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Full Time Game Narrative Designer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $149,118 per year, or $71.7 per hour.
Senior Technical Designer

Senior Technical Designer

Naughty Dog

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

$145K - $181K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 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 on Intergalactic: 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:
  • 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.
  • Fostering team cohesion, advising design leadership regarding communication breakdowns and personality conflicts.
  • Working with minimal supervision while keeping lead designers and directors well-informed.

What skills you will use:
  • 5+ years of industry experience in Technical Design for games
  • 2+ shipped games
  • Significant programming ability (Computer Science undergraduate degree preferred)
  • Deep understanding of narrative principles and how to convey emotion through gameplay
  • Expertise in 3D math
  • Fluent in C++, C#, Lua, or other text-based scripting language
  • Ability to identify and act on opportunities for improvements to tools and workflows that can help the team be more efficient
  • Self-starter with excellent communication and teamwork skills

Bonus Skills:
  • Experience developing third-person action games
  • Experience with the following areas of design
    • Behavior Trees
    • Narrative Gameplay Sequences
    • Encounter Design

#LI-SP3
At SIE, 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 base pay range may vary in line with our hybrid working policy and individual base pay will be determined based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.
In addition, this role is eligible for SIE's top-tier benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness program and coveted employee discounts for Sony products. This role also may be eligible for a bonus package. Click here to learn more.
The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below.
$145,100-$181,400 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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