Narrative Designer

As a Narrative Designer at Unknown Worlds, you will primarily collaborate with various teams to translate game narratives into engaging gameplay experiences. This includes creating dynamic encounters, expanding gameplay building blocks, and working closely with writing teams to integrate text and voiceovers into the game. You will also be involved in production processes and playtests, leading cross-disciplinary teams when necessary, and maintaining thorough narrative design documentation.

To apply for the Narrative Designer position at Unknown Worlds, you should ideally have experience shipping at least two game titles in a design-centric role. Familiarity with Unreal Engine 5 and the ability to express narrative arcs as gameplay moments is essential. Strong written and verbal communication skills are a must, along with a deep understanding of the survival game genre and preferably knowledge of the Subnautica franchise.

At Unknown Worlds, the company culture is centered around diversity, inclusivity, and creativity. We believe in supporting talented individuals from various backgrounds and provide ample professional development opportunities, home office stipends, and pay for volunteer work. Our collaborative work environment encourages innovation, making it an exciting place for passionate gamers and creators to thrive.

Yes, the Narrative Designer role at Unknown Worlds is a remote position. However, the ideal candidate should be able to work during US East Coast or Western European hours to facilitate collaboration with our globally distributed team. This flexibility allows you to engage fully with colleagues from different time zones while enjoying the benefits of working from home.

Absolutely! At Unknown Worlds, we encourage anyone passionate about the Narrative Designer role to apply, even if they don’t meet every qualification. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and understand that your unique experience may still make you the right candidate for this or other roles. Don’t hesitate to reach out and share your enthusiasm!

When asked about your experience with narrative design, provide specific examples of projects you've worked on, focusing on your contributions to storytelling and gameplay mechanics. Highlight instances where you collaborated with teams to create cohesive narratives that enhanced player engagement.

In your response, explain your process for breaking down narrative elements into actionable gameplay moments. Discuss your approach to creating dynamic encounters that reflect the story, and how you collaborate with designers and writers to ensure a seamless integration of narrative and gameplay.

Be prepared to talk about your practical experiences using Unreal Engine 5. Mention the specific projects you’ve completed, any challenges you've overcome, and how you utilized the engine’s features to implement gameplay and narrative elements effectively.

Explain that you embrace constructive feedback as a valuable opportunity for growth. Provide examples of how you have utilized feedback from playtests to refine narrative elements, gameplay mechanics, or overall player experience in previous projects.

Discuss your strategies for effective communication and collaboration. Highlight your experience in leading or contributing to cross-disciplinary teams, ensuring that everyone is aligned on project goals, narrative consistency, and gameplay execution.

Describe your approach to identifying new gameplay ideas and how you would work to expand the existing set of building blocks. Discuss considering player feedback and narrative requirements when exploring new mechanics or encounters.

Be prepared with a specific example from a previous project that showcases your skills as a Narrative Designer. Explain the project’s goals, your role, the challenges faced, and how your contributions positively impacted the end product and player experience.

In your response, share your perspective on the key elements that create a compelling narrative, such as character development, emotional engagement, and coherence with gameplay mechanics. Use examples from games you admire to illustrate your thoughts.

Discuss your methods for staying informed about industry trends, such as reading articles, attending conferences, or engaging in gaming communities. Explain how you apply this knowledge to your narrative design work and your understanding of player expectations.

Share your enthusiasm for the Subnautica franchise and what specifically excites you about contributing to Subnautica 2. This could involve mentioning the rich lore, the environmental themes, or your passion for survival games in general.