What does a narrative designer do?

What is a Narrative Designer?

A narrative designer creates the story, characters, and dialogue for video games and interactive media. They make sure the story is engaging and fits well with the way the game is played. This includes writing the story, creating character interactions, and designing different story paths that players can experience based on their choices.

Narrative designers also work with other team members, like game developers, artists, and voice actors, to make sure the story fits into the game's world. They focus on making the story feel interactive, where players can influence how it unfolds. Their job is important because a well-crafted story can make a game much more enjoyable and memorable.

What does a Narrative Designer do?

Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of a narrative designer focus on creating engaging, interactive stories for video games and other forms of interactive media. Here are some of the key tasks:

• Story Development: Narrative designers write the overall plot, create characters, and design the world and settings. They ensure that the story aligns with the game’s themes and mechanics.
• Dialogue Writing: They write all the dialogue in the game, including character conversations and player choices, making sure each piece fits into the narrative and feels natural.
• Branching Storylines: They design the different paths players can take in the game, creating multiple story outcomes based on player choices and actions.
• Collaboration: Narrative designers work closely with game developers, artists, sound designers, and voice actors to ensure the story fits seamlessly with the game's visual and audio elements.
• Ensuring Consistency: They make sure that the narrative is consistent throughout the game, keeping track of plot details and character development to avoid contradictions.

Types of Narrative Designers
There are several types of narrative designers, each specializing in different forms of interactive media. Here are some common types:

• Video Game Narrative Designer: These designers focus on creating the story, dialogue, and character development for video games. They work closely with game developers to ensure that the narrative is integrated with gameplay mechanics, creating an immersive experience for players.
• Interactive Film or TV Show Narrative Designer: These designers work on interactive films or TV shows, like Netflix’s Bandersnatch, where viewers can make choices that affect the plot. They map out multiple storylines and outcomes based on the choices viewers can make.
• Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) Narrative Designer: These designers create stories for immersive VR and AR experiences. They craft narratives that respond to user interactions within virtual worlds, making the experience both engaging and dynamic.
• Mobile/Interactive App Narrative Designer: Designers in this category work on mobile games, apps, and other interactive platforms that use storytelling elements. They develop narrative arcs that unfold as users engage with the app, whether through puzzle-solving, decision-making, or exploration.
• Transmedia Narrative Designer: These designers create narratives that span multiple platforms (video games, books, movies, etc.), ensuring a cohesive story across all media. They work on large-scale projects that require a story to evolve across different formats.
• Escape Room Narrative Designer: These designers create story-driven puzzles and experiences for physical or digital escape rooms. They focus on crafting the overarching narrative that drives the participants to solve challenges and unlock parts of the story.

What is the workplace of a Narrative Designer like?

The workplace of a narrative designer can vary depending on the type of interactive media they are working with. For those in video game development, they often work in offices or studios alongside other game developers, designers, and artists. These studios can be large companies or smaller indie game teams. Narrative designers in this setting work in close collaboration with writers, programmers, and game designers to integrate the story into the gameplay and mechanics. The atmosphere is typically creative and collaborative, with many brainstorming sessions and regular team meetings to ensure that the narrative complements the visual and interactive elements of the game.

For those working in virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR), the workplace may be similar in terms of teamwork and creativity, but it also involves specialized technology. Narrative designers for VR/AR may work in tech companies or studios focused on immersive experiences. These designers not only focus on story development but also consider how the player or user will interact with the narrative in an immersive environment. This may involve working with sound designers, engineers, and 3D artists to bring the story to life within the virtual space.

In some cases, narrative designers may also work in freelance or remote positions, collaborating with teams from various locations. This is common in the mobile game industry or for those working on smaller, independent projects like interactive apps or transmedia storytelling. They may communicate primarily via email, video calls, and project management software, allowing for flexible work environments.