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Narrative Designer

Everything you need to know about the job of a narrative designer including required skills, responsibilities and salary.

Image: Naughty Dog

What does a narrative designer do?

A narrative designer is the master storyteller within the gaming world. They play a pivotal role in shaping the narrative experience, creating a rich tapestry of stories, characters, and plotlines that immerse players in the game's universe.

These creative storytellers collaborate closely with game developers, writers, and artists to ensure that the game's storyline aligns with the gameplay, seamlessly blending storytelling and interactivity. From crafting intricate dialogues and character backgrounds to constructing compelling quests and branching narratives, a Narrative Designer not only weaves an engaging story but also provides players with meaningful choices that impact the game's progression, making the virtual world come alive with depth and emotional resonance.

Narrative designer job description

A narrative designer's job description is multifaceted, blending storytelling prowess with game development expertise. Collaboration is key, as narrative designers work closely with game developers, writers, artists, and level designers to ensure a harmonious fusion of storytelling and interactivity. Their role is pivotal in shaping the player's journey and emotional engagement with the game.

Role & responsibilities of a narrative designer in the gaming industry:

  • Develop a compelling storyline that seamlessly integrates with the gameplay
  • Create and flesh out characters with depth and complexity
  • Construct quests and missions that drive the player's progression
  • Design branching narratives that offer players choices, affecting the game's outcome
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How much does a narrative designer make?

The salary of a narrative designer can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, and the game studio's size.

To learn more about this field, visit: The Game Development Process: How Video Games are Made

The average pay range for a narrative designer is in-between:

$71k Jnr. Narrative Designer
$120k Snr. Narrative Designer

Skills required to become a narrative designer for games

Becoming a narrative designer for games requires a unique blend of skills. First and foremost, a deep understanding of game design and storytelling principles are essential.

Video game studios may look for the following skills in narrative designers:

  • Creativity and imagination 
  • Expert knowledge of gaming software and hardware
  • Adept at problem-solving 
  • Advanced communication skills 
  • Team leadership experience
  • Knowledge of gameplay scripting
  • Strong understanding of player progression narrative
  • Knowledge of game production pipeline and 3D game engines

What software and tools do narrative designers use?

Narrative Designers rely on various software and tools to craft their stories and integrate them into the game. Some Narrative Designers also use project management tools to keep track of quests, missions, and branching storylines.

Narrative designers may need knowledge of a combination of the following software:

maya
TOUCH

Maya is a comprehensive 3D animation software used for creating detailed models, animations, and visual effects. It's popular in film, TV, and game development for its powerful tools.

unreal
TOUCH

Unreal Engine is a 3D computer graphics game engine developed by Epic Games, first showcased in the 1998 first-person shooter video game Unreal

unity logo
TOUCH

Unity is a cross-platform game engine developed by Unity Technologies, first announced and released in June 2005 at Apple Worldwide Developers Conference

How to become a narrative designer

Here are some sure-fire strategies to help increase your chances of getting a job in game development. 

Get the skills

Look at game studio job ads to see the skills they’re hiring for. Then build those skills: download and learn relevant software, watch online tutorials, or enroll in an industry-focused course. 

Stay  ahead of trends

Seek out online tutorials, webinars, conferences, publications, and other game programming content to remain informed. See our resource section. 

Create your own games

A great way to understand the rigors of game dev and showcase your talent and basic grasp of game production for potential recruiters. 

Participate in game jams

A team challenge to produce a game in 24–72 hours, with participants taking on various roles. Gain experience, collaborate, and work towards a deadline. Use the final product in your reel. 

Engage with communities

Building connections is vital to getting your name and skills recognized, and a chance to interact with industry pros who can offer advice or even jobs. 

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Ready to Start Your Film & Games Journey?

Download our course guide to see how we can help you on your pathway to your dream career.

Tips to break into the game development industry

Use the networking opportunities available to programmers and game devs to build up your contacts. This can be one of the best ways to get a job. Searching online, you can find many industry meetups and events, which often include guest speakers like professional artists and software creators. The knowledge gained by listening to these types of guest speakers talk about their personal experiences is irreplaceable.

Don't for get to check out our interview with Ubisoft AI programmer Firas Hosn.

Get a QA job

Kick-start your career with a job in Quality Assurance. Expand your gaming knowledge by testing and pushing in-production games to their limits. 

Collaborate with peers

Working with your peers is fun, you can learn from each other and tackle bigger projects. 

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Industry Pathways

Troy Dunniway, Game Design Department Head at CG Spectrum, shares why game design is the perfect career for people who are continuously curious and are looking for a way to merge all their interests together, in a balance between the technical and the artistic. Plus, find out what a day in the life of a Level Designer looks like!