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Naomi Finlay Photography · 23 hours ago

Contract Senior Writer/Narrative Designer (Unannounced Project)

Bellevue, WA

Full-time, Contract

Hybrid

Senior Level

5+ years exp

ArenaNet is a game development studio known for the award-winning Guild Wars series, committed to creating engaging online worlds. They are seeking a Senior Writer/Narrative Designer to oversee narrative design for game projects, ensuring a cohesive and immersive storytelling experience.

Photography

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 your 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

Qualification

Narrative designDramatic writingCopyeditingUnreal EngineFinal DraftInteractive storytellingChicago Manual of StyleVideo game narrativesCommunicationOrganizational skillsTeam collaboration

Required

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, including 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