Senior Writer/Narrative Designer (Contract)

About the role

ArenaNet is seeking a Senior Writer/Narrative Designer (Contract) to join our Narrative Team working on Guild Wars 3. In this role, you will design, write, revise, implement, and edit narrative content—from episodic events and systemic dialogue to overarching, character-driven stories. You’ll collaborate closely with the Narrative, Cinematics, and Design teams to create a coherent and integrated dramatic journey that enhances the gameplay experience.

This is a senior-level, 6-month contract position reporting to the Director of Narrative Design. We are prioritizing candidates local to the Bellevue, WA area who are open to occasional onsite collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Drive and assist in the creation and development of IP, story, and character arcs in collaboration with other disciplines.
• Write in-game dialogue, maintaining established tone and distinct character voices.
• Participate in story-breaking sessions with project leadership and workshop scripts in a writers’ room.
• Create supporting documentation (e.g., episode and act summaries) to communicate narrative development across disciplines.
• Design and implement systems for conveying story in an interactive world, including environmental props, character interactions, and systemic dialogue.
• Use proprietary tools to revise golden path story and ambient dialogue scripts.
• Advocate for diverse perspectives, characters, and representation in our games while contributing your own creative experiences.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in literature, creative writing, screenwriting, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of professional writing or copyediting experience, with a portfolio demonstrating applicable work.
• 2+ years of experience developing MMORPGs or open-world games.
• Experience shipping one or more AAA-quality products (or equivalent) in a writing or editing capacity.
• Strong dramatic writing skills, preferably in games and at least one other narrative medium (e.g., screenwriting, playwriting, prose).
• Proficiency in copyediting and practical/philosophical editing.
• Understanding of serialized storytelling at the season and episode levels.
• Experience with interactive and non-linear storytelling, including environmental and in-engine storytelling without cutscenes.
• Knowledge of character creation, story arc design, and dialogue writing.
• Ability to learn and use proprietary content creation tools.
• Familiarity with Final Draft and/or Microsoft Word.
• Experience with gameplay systems and Unreal Engine.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently or in a team.
• Familiarity with The Chicago Manual of Style.
• Deep knowledge of video game narratives, preferably in MMOs.
• Understanding of narrative game systems.

Pay

$49.05–$73.57 per hour (overtime pay applicable). While the full range is provided for transparency, typical offers fall between the minimum and midpoint.

Benefits

This contract role is benefits-eligible through our third-party employer, including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and flexible/dependent care accounts.