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Narrative Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

TapBlaze

Narrative Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

At TapBlaze, we're looking for a Narrative Designer to help shape the future of Good Pizza, Great Pizza , Good Coffee, Great Coffee , and future titles in the Good, Great universe. This role is about ...

TapBlaze, LLC

Narrative Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$70 - $100/hr

At TapBlaze, we're looking for a Narrative Designer to help shape the future of Good Pizza, Great Pizza , Good Coffee, Great Coffee , and future titles in the Good, Great universe. This role is about ...

TapBlaze

Narrative Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$70 - $100/hr

At TapBlaze, we're looking for a Narrative Designer to help shape the future of Good Pizza, Great Pizza , Good Coffee, Great Coffee , and future titles in the Good, Great universe. This role is about ...

TapBlaze

Narrative Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

At TapBlaze, we're looking for a Narrative Designer to help shape the future of Good Pizza, Great Pizza , Good Coffee, Great Coffee , and future titles in the Good, Great universe. This role is about ...

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Narrative information

See California salary details

$115.5K

$158.3K

$213.7K

How much do narrative jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for narrative in California is $158,286.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $123,400.00 and $192,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a narrative?

A Narrative job typically involves crafting and shaping stories in various media, such as video games, film, television, or marketing. Professionals in this role develop storylines, dialogue, character arcs, and world-building elements to create immersive experiences. They may work as narrative designers, writers, or consultants, collaborating with other creatives to ensure cohesive storytelling. Their goal is to engage audiences by delivering compelling and meaningful narratives.

What are the typical collaboration processes for narrative designers within a game development team?

Narrative designers usually work closely with game designers, artists, audio specialists, and programmers to ensure that story elements are seamlessly integrated into the gameplay experience. This collaboration often involves participating in brainstorming sessions, storyboarding, and regular meetings to align narrative with gameplay mechanics and visual style. Narrative designers may also provide feedback on dialogue, cutscenes, and world-building to other team members. Working in a team-oriented environment is key, as open communication helps the story remain coherent and engaging throughout the development process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the narrative position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Narrative Designer, you need a strong background in creative writing, storytelling, and game design principles, usually supported by a degree in English, Creative Writing, or a related field. Experience with interactive storytelling tools, game engines (such as Unity or Unreal), and scripting languages is often required. Excellent collaboration, communication, and adaptability are essential soft skills, as the role involves working closely with game developers, artists, and producers. These abilities are vital for creating engaging game worlds and stories that enhance player experience and align with overall game vision.

What are the most commonly searched types of Narrative jobs in California?

The most popular types of Narrative jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Narrative jobs in California?

For Narrative jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Narrative jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Narrative jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Narrative jobs?

Cities in California with the most Narrative job openings:

Narrative jobs near you
Infographic showing various Narrative job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 72% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 24% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $158,286 per year, or $76.1 per hour.

Narrative Designer

TapBlaze

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Help Shape the Future of the Good, Great Universe
Great games are remembered because of the worlds they create and the characters players never forget. At TapBlaze, we're looking for a Narrative Designer to help shape the future of Good Pizza, Great Pizza, Good Coffee, Great Coffee, and future titles in the Good, Great universe.
This role is about more than writing dialogue. You'll help imagine what comes next: creating new Chapters, memorable characters, compelling gameplay driven stories, and the lore that brings our worlds to life. Working closely with designers, artists, engineers, QA, and production, you'll transform ideas into experiences millions of players will enjoy around the world.
Our games run on warmth and restraint. Small daily emotional beats, not melodrama. We believe beauty is in the details, and we're looking for someone who believes the same. If you're constantly asking "What if?", finding stories in everyday life, and love building worlds players want to revisit, we'd love to meet you.
This is a full time, fully onsite position based in Los Angeles, California. We work together in person, five days a week. Remote and hybrid work are not available for this role.
About TapBlaze
TapBlaze is an independent game studio dedicated to creating games players will remember for decades. Since 2012, our games have been downloaded more than 300 million times worldwide. Every day, millions of players step into the worlds we've created. We don't chase trends. We build timeless experiences grounded in warmth, charm, memorable characters, and gameplay first storytelling.
As an independent studio, everyone has the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Great ideas can come from anyone.
Our values guide every decision we make: Ambitious, Disciplined, Ownership-minded, Results oriented. Extra-ordinary.
What You'll Create
Expand the Good, Great Universe
  • Shape the future of the Good, Great universe through new Chapters, recurring characters, locations, organizations, traditions, and lore.
  • Create memorable characters with distinct personalities, motivations, and relationships.
  • Expand our universe while preserving the charm and consistency players love.

Design Gameplay Driven Stories
  • Pitch original Chapter concepts, seasonal events, and long term story arcs.
  • Design stories that players experience through gameplay, not passive exposition.
  • Collaborate with game designers so narrative and gameplay reinforce one another.
  • Create moments that connect emotionally through the small and the everyday: a regular who finally opens up, a two line exchange that lands.

Write In Game Narrative
  • Write dialogue for customers, recurring characters, and major story moments, keeping each character's voice unmistakable within tight line and character limits.
  • Create tutorials, UI copy, achievements, item descriptions, flavor text, and seasonal event content.
  • Write concise, memorable dialogue tailored for mobile gameplay.
  • Produce narrative documentation that supports localization across multiple languages.

Collaborate Across the Studio
  • Partner with designers, artists, engineers, QA, production, and community support.
  • Contribute creative ideas through brainstorming, playtesting, and iteration.
  • Maintain character bibles, worldbuilding documentation, timelines, and narrative style guides.

You're a Great Fit If...
You're more than a writer. You think like a designer. You naturally ask questions like:
  • What should happen in the next Chapter?
  • How can gameplay tell a better story?
  • What makes a character unforgettable?
  • How can we make this world feel more alive?

You enjoy collaboration, embrace feedback, and care deeply about creating experiences players will remember long after they finish playing.
What You'll Bring
Required
  • Based in the Los Angeles area, or relocating before your start date. This role is onsite five days per week and that is not flexible.
  • 3+ years of professional experience as a Narrative Designer, Narrative Writer, Game Writer, or similar narrative focused role in the video game industry, with at least one shipped title.
  • Proven experience creating engaging dialogue, memorable characters, worldbuilding, and gameplay driven storytelling.
  • Strong instincts for warmth and restraint. You know how to make a short exchange carry emotional weight without melodrama.
  • Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary game development teams.
  • Strong portfolio showcasing narrative design, dialogue writing, worldbuilding, character creation, and interactive storytelling.

Preferred
  • Experience developing narrative for live service games or seasonal events.
  • Experience writing for mobile free to play games.
  • Familiarity with Yarn Spinner or similar narrative tools.
  • Experience writing for localization and multilingual audiences.
  • Familiarity with Good Pizza, Great Pizza and Good Coffee, Great Coffee.

Physical Requirements
  • Los Angeles, CA: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work;
  • Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and computer.

Compensation
The range for this role is $70,000 to $100,000 depending on experience.
Commitment to Diversity
As an equal opportunity employer committed to meeting the needs of a multigenerational and multicultural workforce, TAPBLAZE recognizes that a diverse staff, reflective of our community, is integral to a successful and ethical business. We hire local talent at all levels regardless of race, color, religion, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability, and actively foster inclusion in all forms, both within our company and across interactions with vendors and partners.
Should you have any questions or encounter any fraudulent requests/emails/websites, please immediately contact careers@tapblaze.com. Our job applicant privacy policies are available here: California Privacy Notice

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