Narrative News April 2025: Jams, Opportunities, Jobs, and More!
Plus, my initial thoughts on GDC.
Hi fellow narrative designers!
Currently writing this newsletter while listening to a playlist of California-themed songs and thinking about this year’s Game Developers Conference. The experience varied from attendee to attendee of course, but I certainly noticed smaller crowds and a more subdued atmosphere. Some posts on LinkedIn claimed there was a feeling of hope in the air. I’m not sure I felt that hope. When I looked in my fellow game devs’ eyes I just saw exhaustion and determination. Don’t get me wrong, determination is a wonderful thing, and it makes me very proud of us, as an industry. The determination to go on making art in an industry ruthlessly sacking us and hoping AI will fill the artistic void is admirable. Astounding, even. But man, the industry does stink right now.
To that end, the CWA announced a direct-join nationwide union for game developers. I think it’s a smart idea—after all, it’s difficult to unionize at many games companies because teams are spread apart in various countries across the world, ruled by various labor laws. A mass of workers joining this union could build power, leverage, and funds that meaningfully help American game workers in the future. You can check it out here. It’s an unusual method, but it may be effective. We can only hope so!
In other news, I saw some fascinating GDC talks that came out of the Polaris Game Design Retreat, which I’ll summarize in an upcoming post.
Aaand my last order of business before getting to the meat of the newsletter: I am looking for someone talented in the arts of graphic design and/or illustration to help me jazz up this here newsletter, for real $$. If you have suggestions or would be interested yourself, let me know in the comments or via LinkedIn, my one social media platform for some reason.
Meetups & Conferences
Narrascope, the only conference I know of that is dedicated wholly to narrative design and interactive fiction, is coming around the corner! Running from June 20th to 22nd, it’s a hybrid online/in-person conference that’ll take place at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Shameless plug, I’ll be speaking and judging the showcase with some other illustrious narrative design people. Speaking of, you can still submit YOUR game to the showcase until May 1st here! Do it!
Just in general, this website is a great tool for finding games conferences near you—it lists all of them, worldwide, and is extremely comprehensive.
Big congrats to the Bay Area Interactive Fiction Meetup as they have officially been a group for 15 WHOLE YEARS! Dan Fabulich, you are a rock. On April 12th, they’ll be meeting up to play some Spring Thing games. Highly recommend joining them either online or in-person.
Jams & Competitions
Read and vote on Spring Thing games starting April 9th — there’s always some incredible work in there.
Text Adventure Literacy Jam submissions are due by April 30th. Quoth the itch.io page: “Write a text adventure that is suitable for beginners to this genre. The game must include an in-game tutorial.”
Dialogue Jam 2025 submissions are due May 1st. This jam is focused on, you guessed it, dialogue!
It’s worth noting that jams in other languages are frequently posted on the Interactive Fiction Wiki. For instance, this month you can find jams for French, German, and Russian writers!
If I had more time on my hands, I’d certainly look for a team to join for Mystery Jam 2025 — you can’t craft a good mystery without a skilled writer!
Opportunities
The Limit Break Mentorship, which supports underrepresented people in the UK games industry, is open to applications from April 7th to April 25th. The program provides recipients with an industry mentor for (at least) six months.
Jobs
Narrative Design Contract at Tome & Blade Remote. 6K total budget. “Tome & Blade is seeking a skilled narrative designer to assist our lead writer in developing the narrative foundations for our upcoming political role-playing game, Archon.”
Writer (Fixed-Term Contract) at Dambuster Studios Remote. Due to conclude Dec. 2026. “Dambuster Studios - creators of the number one BAFTA-nominated smash hit Dead Island 2 - has an exciting opportunity for a Writer to join our highly talented Narrative team on a fixed-term contract.”
Game Narrative Designer at Yotta Games Shanghai-based. Not too much detail in this job listing.
Writer at Hazelight Studios Stockholm, Sweden. The creator of It Takes Two and Split Fiction is looking for a writer on their next project.
Lead Writer, V-Scroll Webcomic (Supernatural Drama) at Storygrounds Remote. “We are currently seeking a contract Writer to work on an original Supernatural Drama webcomic.”
Narrative Designer (Merge Mansion) at MetaCore Helsinki, Finland-based. “We are looking for a talented and technically adept Narrative Designer to join the Merge Mansion team.”
Senior Narrative Systems Designer - Sanzaru Game Studio at Meta Remote. “In this role, you'll craft immersive game-wide features, transforming abstract ideas into detailed rules and models that drive the player experience.”
Senior Narrative Designer (Frostpunk 2) at 11 bit studios Warsaw, Poland. “Your responsibilities: Designing, writing and implementing story arcs; Finding interesting ways to communicate outside the usual dialogue format.”
Senior Narrative Designer at Studio Elevation Remote within the UK. “nDreams Studio Elevation are re-establishing the boundaries of VR. We are looking for a Senior Narrative Designer to play a key role in shaping gameplay experiences.”
Senior Narrative Designer, World of Warcraft Irvine, CA. “Story is at the heart of everything we do in World of Warcraft, and we're seeking a Senior Narrative Designer to join our team and help craft unforgettable story experiences.”
Senior Narrative Designer at Cloud Chamber Remote in the United States. Also posted in Montreal, Canada (French proficiency required). “Cloud Chamber is looking for an adventurously creative Senior Narrative Designer to join our global development team.”
Senior Writer at Avalanche, Warner Bros. Games Salt Lake City, Utah. “Avalanche a division of WB Games, Inc., is looking for an experienced writer and talented storyteller with a deep understanding of the wizarding world.”
Lead Designer, Narrative at Avalanche, Warner Bros. Games Salt Lake City, Utah or Burbank, CA. “Join the team behind the blockbuster open world, action RPG Hogwarts Legacy as we create what’s next!”
Narrative Director at Studio KRAFTON Montreal Montreal, Canada (remote possible within Quebec). “We are working on a AAA game based on an acclaimed intellectual property set in an enthralling medieval fantasy world with a rich narrative and strategic gameplay.”
Narrative Director, Diablo at Blizzard Irvine, CA or Albany, NY. “As a Narrative Director, you will be responsible for overseeing the development of the story and campaign of exciting, memorable Diablo content.”
Thanks for reading! Pass on the good vibes and share this newsletter with other narrative designers.
About the Writer:
Rose Behar is a narrative designer at Scopely working on a new IP. Her previous work is featured in Longleaf Valley and Cell to Singularity, among other projects. She puts out the free Narrative News roundup every month.
Thanks again for a great read!