Narrative News February 2024: A Breadwinner is You!
Shorter month = no filler, all thriller!
Hello fellow narrative designers!
In case you’re new here: this newsletter holds all the linkable goodies someone interested in the sphere of game writing might want to click on, from job listings to instructional videos.
I try to keep this region agnostic — anything I see that is narrative design-related, I include, even if it's across the globe. However, since I’m based in NYC, I might over-index on New York-y or American things. If you find I’m missing anything from your part of the world, let me know and I’ll make sure to be cognizant of it in the future!
Now, on to the good stuff, which includes: the Pixelles Writing Program, senior writing positions, and jams and competitions including the timely ‘Smoochie Jam’!
Note: Each month I like to have fun with the theme of GIFs I throw in here. This month we’re getting down to business with the good, hardworking folks of Succession.
Events
Meetups
SF Bay Area Interactive Fiction Group is meeting up February 3rd, at the MADE in Oakland and online.
Jams + Competitions
Smoochie Jam: A Valentine’s Interactive Fiction Jam runs until the end of February. “This jam exists in a deep and profoundly charged intimate rivalry with the Anti-Romance Jam. The name and concept of this jam were inspired by the original SmoochieComp in 2001, hosted by Emily Short.”
IFDB Awards are open for voting until Feb. 17th. The rules for the competition can be found here, and a list of all categories can be found here.
SeedComp submissions are due on March 1st. SeedComp is a “2-round interactive fiction game jam, focusing on creativity and the growth of ideas. SeedComp! is separated into 2 distinct rounds: Planting and Sprouting. During the Planting Round, you are invited to submit 'seeds' into the competition (text, images, code, etc...). In the Sprouting Round, you get to select one or more seeds and use them as inspiration for your interactive fiction entry for fun, awards, and bragging rights!” Also in French and Spanish!
Spring Thing intentions to submit are due by March 1st.
Text Adventure Literacy Jam opens March 1st. “The aim is to write a text adventure that is suitable for players with little or no prior experience of playing text adventures. The game must include an in-game tutorial.”
Resources
Watch of the Week: Choice Architecture, Player Expression, and Narrative Design in Fallout: New Vegas
Opportunities
General
The Pixelles Game Writing Program is full up but has opened up additional spots for Black writers until Feb. 4th! Check it out, this is an awesome free program that runs for three months and covers various elements of game writing including barks, character design, mission design, and cinematics.
Jobs
Junior Game Writer and Designer at Mini Mammoth Games: Adelaide, Australia-based. Apply via the email in the linked post.
Junior Narrative Designer at Nanobit: Zagreb, Croatia-based. “To get a general feel for the content you will be creating and editing, feel free to check out our games Tabou Stories: Love Episodes and Winked: Episodes of Romance.”
Junior Narrative Designer at United Tech: “Be part of creating and launching a new mobile app for iOS and Android platforms in a new niche for people from the Tier-1 region.”
Writer at 31st Union: San Mateo, USA-based. “We’re looking for a Writer (TEMP - 6 month contract) to join our team and help us shape the future of storytelling in online multiplayer gaming.”
Game Writer at Hero Games: Beijing, China-based. E-mail the address in the post to apply.
Narrative Writer at Liquid Swords: Stockholm, Sweden-based. “As a Narrative Writer, you are the spinner of yarns and fabricator of unforgettable worlds filled with mystery, character, and fascinating journeys to lose yourself in.”
Narrative Game Writer: Stockholm and Gothenburg-based or within three time zones. “Help us build the best Battlefield experiences and solidify DICE as the best in the industry.”
Contract Narrative Designer at OtherSide Entertainment: “Our Thick as Thieves team is building a new kind of immersive simulation game focused on multiplayer action-stealth.”
Editor at Random House Graphic, Random House Children’s Books: Remote, specifically seeking editor for manga and manhwa, considers game localization relevant experience.
Experienced Narrative Designer at Beamdog: Located in Edmonton or remote within Canada. “Reporting to the Design Director, the Narrative Designer will help us craft and implement compelling, in-depth narrative content for our upcoming titles.”
Lead Writer at Skeleton Key: Our new studio is located in Austin, TX, and we are looking for a passionate and dedicated Lead Writer to join us and bring our first AAA game to life. We offer fully remote, hybrid, or in-office options for day-to-day work.
Senior Writer at AdHoc Studio: Former Telltale Games, Night School Studio, and Ubisoft devs. “The Senior Writer crafts compelling, interactive narrative stories that match the tone and voice established by the Creative Director.”
Senior Narrative Designer at Skydance Interactive: “We are deep into pre-production on a new, unannounced VR title, and are looking for a Senior Narrative Designer to shepherd our story into the game.” Santa Monica-based.
Narrative Lead at Unyverses: From LinkedIn: “I'm looking for an experienced level designer and a narrative lead (remote + paid + equity) for an indie games studio based in Charleston South Carolina creating an Afrocentric Sci Fi RPG.”
Senior Writer at Santa Monica Studio: “Join the award-winning team that created God of War. Santa Monica Studio is seeking an experienced Writer for the development of a new unannounced title!”
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 Ashe Cove by Double Loop Games, among other projects. She puts out the free Narrative News roundup every month.
love the GIFS. Fabulous compendium of news as usual!