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Volunteer Game Narrative Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Squanch Games

Design Manager

$140K - $200K/yr

We're Squanch Games! Squanch Games has been around since 2016, and since then we've released ... and narrative designers alike - aligned, unblocked, and shipping great work, while balancing ...

Absurd Ventures

World Builder

Santa Monica, CA

$110K - $130K/yr

We are seeking an experienced Level Designer - World Builder for our large-scale open world AAA ... Create and design layouts that support and focus on gameplay, narrative, and intended art direction ...

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 ...

Absurd Ventures

World Builder

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

We are seeking an experienced Level Designer - World Builder for our large-scale open world AAA ... Create and design layouts that support and focus on gameplay, narrative, and intended art direction ...

Absurd Ventures

Mission Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$100K - $115K/yr

Summary We are seeking a Mission Designer to create highly memorable missions that combine best-in ... Strong understanding of storytelling and narrative design. Plus If... * Experience building game ...

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Volunteer Game Narrative Designer information

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$47K

$156K

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

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for volunteer 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.

How does a volunteer game narrative designer typically collaborate with other team members in the development process?

As a Volunteer Game Narrative Designer, you will work closely with game developers, artists, and audio designers to ensure that the story integrates seamlessly with gameplay and visual elements. Collaboration often involves participating in regular team meetings, sharing script drafts, and providing feedback on how narrative elements can enhance player engagement. Effective communication and openness to feedback are essential, as you'll need to adapt your writing to fit technical constraints and evolving design requirements. This team-oriented environment encourages creativity and provides valuable experience for those looking to advance in narrative or game design careers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a volunteer game narrative designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Volunteer Game Narrative Designer, you need strong storytelling abilities, a solid grasp of game design principles, and experience writing interactive narratives, often demonstrated through a portfolio rather than formal qualifications. Familiarity with narrative design tools like Twine, Ink, or game engines (Unity, Unreal) and version control systems is typically required. Collaboration, open communication, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for integrating feedback and working within a team environment. These skills ensure the creation of compelling, cohesive stories that enhance player engagement and support the overall game experience.

What is the difference between Volunteer Game Narrative Designer vs Volunteer Level Designer?

AspectVolunteer Game Narrative DesignerVolunteer Level Designer
Required skillsStorytelling, writing, creative thinkingLevel layout, environment design, technical skills
Work environmentCollaborative with writers and developersDesign teams, game engines, software tools
Industry usageUsed across narrative-driven and story-rich gamesUsed in level-based and environment-focused games

The Volunteer Game Narrative Designer focuses on crafting storylines, dialogues, and character development, while the Volunteer Level Designer concentrates on designing game environments and levels. Both roles require creativity and collaboration but serve different aspects of game development. Understanding these differences helps volunteers align their skills with the right role in the gaming industry.

What is a volunteer game narrative designer?

A Volunteer Game Narrative Designer is someone who helps craft the story, dialogue, and world-building elements of a video game, usually for indie or non-profit projects, without financial compensation. They collaborate with game developers, artists, and other writers to create engaging narratives that enhance the player's experience. This role often involves writing scripts, developing character backgrounds, and contributing to the overall lore and emotional impact of the game. Volunteering in this position is a great way to gain experience, build a portfolio, and network within the gaming industry.
More about Volunteer Game Narrative Designer jobs
What cities are hiring for Volunteer Game Narrative Designer jobs? Cities with the most Volunteer 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 Volunteer Game Narrative Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Volunteer Game Narrative Designer jobs include:
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Volunteer Game Narrative Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Volunteer Game Narrative Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $149,118 per year, or $71.7 per hour.

Design Manager

Squanch Games

Remote

$140K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

We're Squanch Games!
Squanch Games has been around since 2016, and since then we've released several laugh-out-loud interactive experiences that have captured the hearts and minds of debaucherous gamers the world over.
If you've ended up on this site, then perhaps you consider yourself a little "Squanchy." One who is "Squanchy" has the courage to plunder the depths of madness for joy in its most pure and irreverent essence. Some say it's a curse. Others, a blessing. In our humble opinion, to be "Squanchy" is to truly LIVE.
Design Department: Design Manager
As a Design Manager at Squanch Games, you help hold the design team together through great interpersonal skills and good high-level design mentorship. Every day, you'll keep a multidisciplinary design team; systems, level, content and narrative designers alike - aligned, unblocked, and shipping great work, while balancing production realities with creative ambition. You'll be the go-to for coaching designers at every level. But you know that already! You've successfully done this role at another studio, and now you're looking for a role with more autonomy, more direct influence on studio design philosophy, and a seat at the table to make changes happen.
What You'll Do:
  • Own the day-to-day of a mixed-discipline design team spanning systems, level, content and narrative design - setting priorities, unblocking work, and keeping everyone rowing in the same direction.
  • Report directly to our President/COO, acting as the connective tissue between the design team and studio leadership - translating creative vision into a design team growth and mentorship plan that unifies people & product.
  • Be a leader and coach who cares about people and how they work, interact and grow. Spots and supports people ready for more responsibility and those that need more support in their growth. Knows how to handle a spectrum of experience. Promotes a culture of creativity, quality, accountability and collaboration.
  • Work directly with studio leadership and other department heads to help manage the team. Are proactive in keeping the team aligned to the vision.
  • Empower the team to deliver quality through coaching, critique and support.
  • Be a lover of all things GAME DESIGN. Cares about the past, present, and future of game design across genres, systems, and mechanics. Draws inspiration and ideas from differing genres, games, styles and methods. Can spot quality design work and debate why it is (or is not) great.
  • Come up with, pitch and implement creative solutions to overcome problems you identify independently or with your peers. An amazing communicator who can provide structure in ambiguity.
  • Support on an individual contributor level when necessary to help a project reach its goals. We are a small team that takes pride in wearing multiple hats to help our games be successful.

What We're Looking For:
  • Formerly held a title such as Lead Designer, Senior/Principal Designer, or Design Manager, with 1-2 shipped titles as a designer or design manager. (We care about what you've shipped, not how many years you've been doing it)
  • Working knowledge of tools across the design pipeline - Unreal Engine (Blueprints and/or other engine scripting languages, LUA, C# etc.), design/documentation tools, and project tracking software (Jira, Trello, Click-up, Notion etc. or similar).
  • A designer with Lead experience, or a Senior/Principal designer who's ready to move into a leadership role.
  • Has a deep understanding of game design principals, pipelines, cross-discipline collaboration (design/art/production), and processes.
  • Comfortable managing a mixed-discipline team - systems, level, content and narrative designers alike - without needing to be the deepest expert in every discipline.
  • Strong ability to estimate tasks for planning purposes with production, by soliciting team members and/or doing a rough pass on their own.
  • Excellent communicator, equally comfortable briefing executive leadership and running a critique with the design team.

Benefits:
  • Salary range: $140k to $200k depending on experience
  • Health, dental & vision insurance for the employee and their dependent(s) (if applicable)
  • Short term & long term disability insurance coverage
  • Paid parental leave
  • 401k and FSA
  • Flexible PTO & schedule
  • Completely remote studio
  • Stipend to ensure a comfortable work-from-home setup
  • Monthly snack box shipped to your home
  • Monthly stipend for WFH expenses

Location:
We are a fully remote studio operating from all over the United States! While we haven't hit all 50, we encourage applicants from across the country to apply and help us complete our map.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Squanch Games provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, creed, marital status, registered partner or civil union status, disability status, medical condition, genetic information, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
The pay range for this role is:
140,000 - 200,000 USD per year (Remote)

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