Narrative Design Lead

Companion Group is an AAA co-development gaming studio with a globally distributed, fully remote setup. We are renowned for overcoming the most intricate challenges in multiplayer game development. Our reputation precedes us as the go-to partner for clients seeking to elevate their latest multiplayer titles, enabling scalability in player numbers, maximising player density, and crafting immersive, high-quality gameplay experiences.

Embedded directly within client teams, we collaborate seamlessly to bring bold creative visions to life. Our portfolio spans groundbreaking games developed alongside major studios worldwide. As a fully remote studio with colleagues across the globe, we value clear, consistent, and transparent communication as much as technical expertise.

We are looking for a Narrative Design Lead with a game design focus who can bridge compelling storytelling with engaging gameplay systems. This is not just a writing role — you’ll be designing gameplay features, systems, and mechanics that drive and reinforce the narrative. You’ll work closely with design, art, audio, and production to ensure that story and gameplay are inseparable, delivering rich player experiences from both a mechanical and emotional standpoint.

Responsibilities:

• Define the overall narrative vision, tone, and style for the project while ensuring it serves the gameplay experience.

• Design and prototype gameplay systems, mechanics, and features that deliver narrative beats in meaningful ways.

• Create and maintain design documentation for both narrative elements and gameplay systems.

• Write in-game dialogue, lore, mission briefings, and other narrative assets.

• Integrate narrative content directly into Unreal Engine, including Blueprints, sequencer tools, and dialogue systems.

• Collaborate with level design to plan and implement story-driven gameplay moments and events.

• Ensure consistent narrative integration across all gameplay, cinematics, and UI.

• Balance storytelling ambitions with production realities, ensuring designs are achievable within scope.

• Work closely with voice direction, actors, and localisation partners to deliver polished narrative content.
  

Skills & Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as a Game Designer, Narrative Designer, or similar role on at least one shipped AAA/AA title.

• Proven ability to design gameplay systems and mechanics that serve narrative goals.

• Strong Unreal Engine skills, including implementing gameplay and narrative content using Blueprints, sequencer, and cinematic tools.

• Exceptional writing ability across dialogue, exposition, and worldbuilding.

• Strong understanding of player agency, branching structures, and narrative pacing.

• Experience collaborating across multiple disciplines, especially level design, art, and audio.

• A passion for creating gameplay experiences where story and mechanics are seamlessly interwoven.

Rewards:

• Competitive salary range of £50,000 - £70,000 per annum.

• Established career progression framework with opportunities to grow into leadership or specialist roles.

• Fully remote role, enabling you to work from anywhere.

• Collaboration with senior leadership and top-tier game studios.

• The opportunity to help shape innovative multiplayer experiences.
  

Join our dynamic team and play a key role in shaping the future of online gaming experiences!