Senior Writer/Narrative Designer (Contract)
About The Position
ArenaNet is seeking a Senior Writer/Narrative Designer (Contract) to join their Narrative Team for Guild Wars 3. The role focuses on providing context and meaning to the gameplay experience through narrative design, binding all game aspects into a coherent dramatic journey. This position is responsible for the narrative design of assigned content, including writing, revising, implementing, and editing narrative elements from episodic events and dialogue to character-driven stories. The Senior Writer/Narrative Designer will collaborate closely with peers in Narrative, Cinematics, and Design teams to enhance the player's emotional bond with the game.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in literature, creative writing, screenwriting, or related field or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
- 5 years of experience as a professional writer or copyeditor, with applicable portfolio samples
- 2 years of experience developing MMORPGs and open-world games
- Experience shipping one or more AAA-quality product(s) or nongame equivalent(s), in a writing or editing capacity
- Understanding of general writing and narrative design concepts
- Dramatic writing skills, preferably in writing for games and at least one other narrative medium (e.g., screenwriting, playwriting, prose, etc.)
- Copyediting skills
- Practical and philosophical editing/writing knowledge
- Understanding of breaking serialized stories at the season and episode levels
- Understanding of or experience in interactive and non-linear storytelling, using non-traditional and non-verbal delivery systems (e.g., environmental storytelling, in-engine storytelling without cutscenes, etc.)
- Knowledge of character creation, story arc design, and dialogue writing
- Able to learn and use proprietary tools to create content
- Familiar with Final Draft and/or Microsoft Word
- Familiar with gameplay systems
- Experience using Unreal Engine
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills
- Able to work independently and in a team
- Understanding of and ability to use The Chicago Manual of Style
- Familiar with video game narratives, preferably MMOs
- Familiar with narrative game systems
Responsibilities
- Drive and/or assist in the creation and development of IP, story, and character arcs in collaboration with other disciplines
- Write in-game dialogue, setting or adopting established tone and distinct character voices
- Participate in story breaking sessions with project leadership
- Workshop scripts in a writers’ room
- Write supporting documentation to effectively communicate development of the narrative to team members in all disciplines (episode and act summaries)
- Design and work with various systems for conveying story in an interactive world, including environmental props, character interactions, and systemic dialogue
- Use proprietary content creation tools to revise golden path story and ambient dialogue scripts
- Advocate for diverse perspectives, characters, and representation in our games, while bringing your own experiences to the creative process
Benefits
- medical
- dental
- vision
- 401(k)
- flexible/dependent care accounts
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
