Narrative News December 2024: Festive Jobs, Resources, and Opportunities
Keeping the artistic flame alive.
Hello fellow narrative designers!
We’re approaching that weird end-of-year period where hiring is generally paused and there’s only quiet busy work to shuffle around your desk, if you’re lucky — or hectic 2024 deadlines to meet if you’re unlucky.
I want to take this moment to reassure everyone: your writing is needed and wanted. The video game industry is contracting, giving the impression that no one wants the passion and creativity you have to give — but it’s merely a reflection of capital shifting hands above all of our pay-grades, not of the appetite for beautiful, truthful, and courageous art that we so powerfully need at this time. The world does want your art, whether it’s at a big studio or posted on Itch.io. Without it, our hearts and imaginations shrink.
A 25-year-veteran of the industry told me recently he’s worried we’re losing a generation of narrative design talent. I agree to som extent — and it won’t be anyone’s fault but the money-men if that’s the case — however, I’ve talked to enough young narrative designers to know that what they have to give the world won’t be dictated by market trends. Indies tend to proliferate during these tough times, a sign of the love we all hold for this strange, precious medium.
Post your projects in the comments, or tag me on LinkedIn or BlueSky, and if there’s sufficient response we’ll do a showcase in the new year, so everyone gets a chance to see the talent in our community.
Until then, enjoy some rest and relaxation. You’ve earned it.
Jams
The Winter Visual Novel Jam 2024 is open until January 1st.
PunyComp 2024 invites jammers to write a text adventure in PunyInform (sounds easier than regular Inform). Last day for submissions is December 29th.
SeedComp is an interesting two-round interactive fiction jam in which you first submit a theme, then jam on someone else’s idea. The first part is over, but you may be able to participate in the second.
Resources
Amir Satvat has compiled a fascinating report on layoffs and unemployment in games over the past few years.
Check out this cool, free interactive training tool created by Greg Buchanan titled “How to Become a Game Writer.”
When you need to argue for why narrative is important to games — and as strange as it seems, you will have to do that — look at this wonderful post by Kelly Bender for inspiration.
In other “Kelly Bender is an awesome follow” news, check out his post on applying the three-act structure to video games.
Opportunities
For those in the UK: the Oxford/42 New Writing Prize is “looking for talented new voices in fiction and welcome experimental writing as well as work that would appeal to a broad audience, whether on the printed page, the stage, radio, television or the big screen.”
Jobs
Writer (Contract) at Santa Monica Studio LA, USA-based. “Santa Monica Studio is seeking a Writer for the development of a new unannounced title!”
Narrative Design Internship at Triumph Studios Delft, Netherlands-based. “We're looking for a narrative design intern to join our Design team and assist on a variety of projects and tasks.”
Junior Narrative Designer at Volka Games Limassol, Cyprus-based. “We are looking for a talented Narrative Designer to join our game development team working on Taonga: the Island Farm!”
Scripter (Narrative Design) at Ashborne Games Brno, Czech Republic-based. “We are looking for a Scripter to join our team and help create evocative stories, implement narrative designs (ranging from dialogues to items and characters), enhance features, and assist in their implementation.”
Narrative Designer at Moon Active Warsaw, Poland-based. “We are looking for an experienced Narrative Designer to join our amazing content team based in Warsaw.”
Narrative Game Designer at Handy Games Giebelstadt, Germany-based. “For our current in-house game project, which is set in a gothic-inspired science fiction world with a focus on story and combat, we are looking for a talented Narrative Game Designer.”
Narrative Systems Designer at Halo Studios Redmond, USA-based. “Collaborate with narrative writers, the audio team, level designers, and environment artists to define, prototype, iterate, and craft meaningful and compelling moments of incidental and environmental storytelling.”
Narrative Systems Designer at Epic Games Montréal, Canada-based. “Design and implement NPC interactions with the player, focusing on each character's personality, background and narrative.”
Senior Writer at CD Projekt Red Boston-based. “In this role, you will be responsible for crafting captivating narratives, compelling dialogues and innovative quests in Project Orion - the follow-up to Cyberpunk 2077.”
Senior Narrative Designer at Beamdog Edmonton, Alberta-based. “We’re best known for bringing beloved isometric roleplaying games like Baldur’s Gate and Planescape: Torment back to life on desktop and tablets as Enhanced Editions.”
Senior Narrative Designer, World of Warcraft at Blizzard Irvine, USA-based. “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.”
Principal Narrative Designer at Activision Santa Monica, California-based. “Elsewhere Entertainment is looking for a Principal Narrative Designer to join the development of a new IP.”
Principal Narrative Writer - League of Legends, Creative eXpressions LA, California-based. “As a Principal Narrative Writer on Creative eXpressions, you will work directly with Creative Directors, while liaising closely with other Narrative Writers and Editors on Creative eXpressions, in Los Angeles.”
Narrative Team Lead at Dambusters Studios Nottingham, UK-based. “Dambuster Studios - creators of the number one BAFTA-nominated smash hit Dead Island 2 - has an exciting opportunity for a Narrative Team Lead to join our highly talented Narrative team.”
Narrative Director [Tom Clancy’s The Division 3] at Ubisoft Malmö, Sweden-based. “As Narrative Director on Tom Clancy’s the Division 3, you will be key in defining and executing the game’s narrative strategy, realization, and overall experience.”
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.
Hi Rose, Thanks for allowing people to share their projects! Here's mine: https://aarogi.itch.io/lupercalia