Narrative Design Lead Jobs

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ABOUT FIREWALK STUDIOS (Bellevue Washington, Or Remote)
Firewalk Studios is dedicated to creating unforgettable multiplayer experiences that capture the joy of playing together. We believe in the power of multiplayer and want to delight players with worlds that spark imagination and forge connection through immersive gameplay, artistry, and heartfelt characters. We are currently working on an original multiplayer game as part of Sony Interactive Entertainment.
Creating worlds that ignite imagination and connection takes a collaborative team. Firewalk is building a world-class, next-generation game studio with a focus on a more sustainable approach to game development. For us, setting a high-quality bar, creating something extraordinary, and treating each other with trust and respect go hand-in-hand.
THE ROLE
Firewalk Studios is looking for a Narrative Design Lead who is interested in applying their skills to help bring exceptional entertainment to millions of players. As our Narrative Design Lead, you’ll be joining a very special team in a unique place in the development process. We’re a new IP with boundless potential. As we approach launch, we are homing in on a team structure that will carry us to a successful release and beyond. Our team is strong but mighty. We’re a tight knit group that has built this IP from the ground up, pouring our hearts and souls into characters, worlds, and story.
For us, team culture is paramount. We have cultivated an environment where creators thrive together. The team supports each other, pushes each other to grow, communicates, collaborates, and faces challenges together.
We approach interdisciplinary collaboration the same way. We have thriving relationships with departments across the studio. Storytelling is not siloed, but rather integrated in all aspects of design and development, with experts across the studio participating in the creation of a narrative that works best for the game we’re all making together.
We’re looking for a leader who shares these values and wants to help our department and studio grow.
Who You Are

• Able to move between long range thinking and day to day issues
• Excited about learning and growing your skillset
• Care deeply about creating and fostering healthy and strong teams
• Ready to jump in and start problem solving across multiple disciplines
• Understand the importance of empathy and emotional intelligence in the workplace
• You find time to play video games & empathize deeply with our players, because you are a gamer at heart.

What Your Day Might Look Like

• Incorporate high level goals into the team’s plans and structure
• Find creative ways to express the narrative and IP in given constraints
• Recognize narrative’s needs as well as other departments’ needs
• Always keep lines of communication open to ensure the progress is aligned
• Guide revisions to ensure all work is aligned and of a high quality
• Be aware of the status of tasks, progress, and blockers
• Establish workflows that cross interdisciplinary teams
• Ensure that the scope of the work is appropriate for the team
• Arbitrate effectively in the face of conflict
• Be proactive in the face of problems or issues - lead the solution efforts
• Lead team meetings for the narrative development of new characters, personality/VO, narrative wrappers, and worlds
• Communicate narrative process and ideas in language that is intuitive and accessible
• Meet on a regular basis to plan high-level narrative goals
• Evaluate performance concerns and career goals with team members
• Prioritize tasks according to studio and big-picture needs
• Forecast milestone progress, and adjust processes to meet deadlines
• Recognize the strengths of team members and delegate tasks appropriately
• Bring lingering concerns, questions, and/or blockers from the team to the director
• Troubleshoot almost any issue that crops up in the department
• Give direction and supply needed understanding and tools for success
• Work with Director and Production team to establish realistic goals, milestones, and schedules
• Mentor the team and foster a healthy creative environment
• Represent the narrative team’s goals and ability to tackle tasks in a given timeline
• Attend interdisciplinary meetings and collaborate
• Work with the Narrative/IP Director to ensure the Narrative Design department is aligned with larger IP/Narrative Goals
• Instill confidence and ownership
• Review all work coming in and respond in a timely fashion
• Lead the Narrative Design Department
• Gather requirements for new or evolving features and help set up workflow pipelines
• Narrative Designers and writers report up to you, so you’ll touch base daily:

Qualifications

• Proven track record in creating and maintaining creative direction
• 2+ years experience leading projects
• Strong understanding of the daily ebb and flow of game development
• At least 5 years writing experience in gaming, including dialogue/VO, character profiles, worldbuilding, cinematics, spec docs, pitches
• Preferred experience in Unreal
• Experienced creating design documentation
• Experience in all production phases from Concept to Live Operations, having shipped at least one title
• Preferred 2+ years experience in multiplayer games
• Experience communicating a game vision to teams and partners

At SIE, we consider several factors when setting each role’s base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.
Please note that the base pay range may vary in line with our hybrid working policy and individual base pay will be determined based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.
In addition, this role is eligible for SIE’s top-tier benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness program and coveted employee discounts for Sony products. This role also may be eligible for a bonus package. Click here to learn more.
The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below.
$134,900 — $202,300 USD
Equal Opportunity Statement:
Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.
We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.
PlayStation is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.