Narrative Design Lead

Why PlayStation?

PlayStation isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Today, we’re recognized as a global leader in entertainment producing The PlayStation family of products and services including PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®VR, PlayStation®Plus, acclaimed PlayStation software titles from PlayStation Studios, and more.

PlayStation also strives to create an inclusive environment that empowers employees and embraces diversity. We welcome and encourage everyone who has a passion and curiosity for innovation, technology, and play to explore our open positions and join our growing global team.

The PlayStation brand falls under Sony Interactive Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation.

ABOUT FIREWALK STUDIOS  (Bellevue Washington, or Remote)

Firewalk Studios is dedicated to creating unforgettable multiplayer experiences that capture the joy of playing together. We believe in the power of multiplayer and want to delight players with worlds that spark imagination and forge connection through immersive gameplay, artistry, and heartfelt characters. We are currently working on an original multiplayer game as part of Sony Interactive Entertainment.

Creating worlds that ignite imagination and connection takes a collaborative team. Firewalk is building a world-class, next-generation game studio with a focus on a more sustainable approach to game development. For us, setting a high-quality bar, creating something extraordinary, and treating each other with trust and respect go hand-in-hand.  

THE ROLE

Firewalk Studios is looking for a Narrative Design Lead who is interested in applying their skills to help bring exceptional entertainment to millions of players. As our Narrative Design Lead, you’ll be joining a very special team in a unique place in the development process. We’re a new IP with boundless potential. As we approach launch, we are homing in on a team structure that will carry us to a successful release and beyond. Our team is strong but mighty. We’re a tight knit group that has built this IP from the ground up, pouring our hearts and souls into characters, worlds, and story.

For us, team culture is paramount. We have cultivated an environment where creators thrive together. The team supports each other, pushes each other to grow, communicates, collaborates, and faces challenges together. 

We approach interdisciplinary collaboration the same way. We have thriving relationships with departments across the studio. Storytelling is not siloed, but rather integrated in all aspects of design and development, with experts across the studio participating in the creation of a narrative that works best for the game we’re all making together.

We’re looking for a leader who shares these values and wants to help our department and studio grow.

WHO YOU ARE

• Care deeply about creating and fostering healthy and strong teams
• Understand the importance of empathy and emotional intelligence in the workplace
• Able to move between long range thinking and day to day issues
• Excited about learning and growing your skillset
• Ready to jump in and start problem solving across multiple disciplines
• You find time to play video games & empathize deeply with our players, because you are a gamer at heart.

WHAT YOUR DAY MIGHT LOOK LIKE

• Lead the Narrative Design Department
  • Narrative Designers and writers report up to you, so you’ll touch base daily:
    • Recognize the strengths of team members and delegate tasks appropriately
    • Give direction and supply needed understanding and tools for success
    • Be aware of the status of tasks, progress, and blockers
    • Review all work coming in and respond in a timely fashion
    • Guide revisions to ensure all work is aligned and of a high quality
    • Instill confidence and ownership
    • Mentor the team and foster a healthy creative environment
    • Evaluate performance concerns and career goals with team members
  • Lead team meetings for the narrative development of new characters, personality/VO, narrative wrappers, and worlds
• Attend interdisciplinary meetings and collaborate
  • Recognize narrative’s needs as well as other departments’ needs
  • Find creative ways to express the narrative and IP in given constraints
  • Represent the narrative team’s goals and ability to tackle tasks in a given timeline
  • Arbitrate effectively in the face of conflict
  • Communicate narrative process and ideas in language that is intuitive and accessible
• Work with Director and Production team to establish realistic goals, milestones, and sc