Narrative Designer (Writer) (Temporary) - Infinity Ward

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Narrative Designer (Writer) (Temporary) - Infinity Ward

🔹 Company: Activision Blizzard

🔹 Location: Woodland Hills, Utah, United States

🔹 Job Type: Temporary, Full-Time

🔹 Category: Entertainment Providers

🔹 Date Posted: June 12, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5+ years of game development experience

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing fresh and compelling interactive stories for video games
• Collaborating with the team to create narrative assets and ensure their effective implementation
• Working within established narrative canon and gameplay goals
• Writing for various media, including in-game copy, cinematic scripts, and promotional copy
• Identifying, assessing, and mitigating project risks

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of game production and a passion for storytelling and interactive media. Previous experience in first-person shooter, military, and action-adventure games is highly preferred.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop fresh and compelling interactive stories, consistent with company game philosophy and vision

✅ Proactively champion a story vision that supports overarching project goals through structure, character, and theme

✅ Participate in the development of assets related to narrative/scripted events, as well as their implementation and debug

✅ Understand gameplay elements and assess how they could affect the development of the story, presenting collaborative solutions for adjustments as conflicts arise

✅ Write for various media, including in-game copy, cinematic scripts, story bible documentation, pitch documentation, short stories, and promotional copy

✅ Promote excellence in storytelling craft through feedback and direction

✅ Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have previous success as a game writer and developer, outstanding communication skills, and the ability to work within established narrative canon and gameplay goals.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in a creative or communication-focused field, or equivalent work experience

Experience: 5+ years of game development experience, with 1-2+ shipped titles with a narrative design or writing credit

Required Skills:

• Excellent creative writing abilities
• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Strong understanding of game production
• Passion for storytelling and interactive media

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in first-person shooter, military, and action-adventure games

ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, having experience with game engines and scripting languages may be beneficial for this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $29.81 - $55.14 per hour. This range reflects the expected base pay range for new hires across all U.S. locations. Your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation, which is not guaranteed.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance
• 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching
• Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave
• Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs
• Relocation assistance (if required)

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with the possibility of overtime depending on project demands

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for game writers and narrative designers with similar experience levels. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's skills, experience, and negotiation.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Entertainment Providers. Activision Blizzard is one of the world’s largest interactive entertainment companies, with operations across North America, Europe, and Asia. They are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises, including Call of Duty®, Skylanders®, World of Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, Candy Crush™, and Bubble Witch™.

Company Size: 5,001-10,000 employees. As a large company, Activision Blizzard offers numerous opportunities for career growth and collaboration with diverse teams.

Founded: The company was founded in 2000 through the merger of Activision and Vivendi Games. However, Infinity Ward, the studio for this specific role, was founded in 2002.

Company Description:

• Activision Blizzard is a global leader in interactive entertainment, with a portfolio of iconic franchises and a commitment to delivering high-quality, engaging experiences to players worldwide.
• The company fosters a culture of creativity, collaboration, and innovation, encouraging employees to bring their unique perspectives and ideas to the table.
• Activision Blizzard is recognized as one of FORTUNE’s “100 Best Companies To Work For®” for four consecutive years and has earned a spot on FORTUNE’s “Most Admired Companies,” and “Future 50” lists.

Company Specialties:

• Video Games
• Entertainment
• Consumer Products
• Media
• Film and TV
• Gaming and Production

Company Website: http://www.activisionblizzard.com/

ASSUMPTION: Activision Blizzard's large size and extensive portfolio of popular franchises provide numerous opportunities for growth and collaboration within the company.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level to senior. This role requires a significant amount of experience in game development and narrative design.

Reporting Structure: The Narrative Designer will report to the Creative and Narrative Directors at Infinity Ward.

Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with the possibility of hybrid or remote work depending on the company's policies and the candidate's needs.

Growth Opportunities:

• As a large company with numerous franchises, Activision Blizzard offers opportunities to work on various projects and potentially move between teams or studios.
• The company's commitment to fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration may provide opportunities for professional development and growth.
• With experience and proven success, there may be opportunities to take on more senior roles or become a lead writer on future projects.

ASSUMPTION: While the role is temporary, there may be opportunities for it to become permanent based on the project's success and the candidate's performance.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Infinity Ward's office is a creative and collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and teamwork.

Office Location(s): Woodland Hills, California

Geographic Context:

• Woodland Hills is a suburban neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California.
• The area offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with numerous parks, shopping centers, and restaurants nearby.
• Woodland Hills is known for its high-quality schools and family-friendly atmosphere.

Work Schedule: The work schedule for this role is expected to be Monday through Friday, with the possibility of overtime depending on project demands.

ASSUMPTION: While the role is on-site, Activision Blizzard may offer flexible work arrangements, such as hybrid or remote work, depending on the candidate's needs and the company's policies.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume submission
• Phone or video screen with the HR department
• In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
• Final interview with senior leadership
• Background check and offer extension

Key Assessment Areas:

• Creativity and storytelling abilities
• Understanding of game production and narrative design
• Communication skills and team collaboration
• Problem-solving and risk assessment skills

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
• Provide examples of your previous work, such as game scripts, short stories, or other narrative design projects.
• Be prepared to discuss your understanding of the Call of Duty® franchise and its narrative structure.

ATS Keywords: Game Writing, Narrative Design, Storytelling, Interactive Media, Game Production, Script Writing, Character Development, Project Management, Debugging, Asset Development, Risk Assessment

ASSUMPTION: As a large company with a high volume of applicants, Activision Blizzard may use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes based on specific keywords. Including these keywords in your resume can help your application stand out.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity)
• Scripting languages (e.g., C#, Lua, Python)
• Narrative design tools (e.g., Twine, Inklewriter)
• Office suites (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Workspace)

ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, having experience with game engines and scripting languages may be beneficial for this role.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Creativity
• Collaboration
• Innovation
• Quality
• Fun

Work Style:

• Creative and collaborative
• Fast-paced and dynamic
• Results-driven and passionate

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a creative and collaborative work environment?
• Are you passionate about storytelling and interactive media?
• Can you work effectively within established narrative canon and gameplay goals?

ASSUMPTION: Activision Blizzard values candidates who are creative, collaborative, and passionate about their work. They look for individuals who can thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and are committed to delivering high-quality, engaging experiences to players worldwide.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The role is temporary, which may offer less job security and benefits compared to permanent positions.
• The work can be demanding and fast-paced, with tight deadlines and high expectations for quality and innovation.
• The role may require working on weekends or evenings depending on project demands and deadlines.
• The company's large size and high volume of applicants may make the hiring process competitive and lengthy.

ASSUMPTION: While these challenges exist, Activision Blizzard offers numerous opportunities for growth, collaboration, and professional development to mitigate these potential drawbacks.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on narrative design for the Call of Duty® franchise, which has a large and dedicated fanbase.
• Compared to other narrative design roles, this position may offer more creative freedom and collaboration with the game's creative and narrative directors.
• Career paths for narrative designers in the gaming industry can vary depending on the studio's size, the franchise's popularity, and the candidate's skills and experience.

ASSUMPTION: While this role is temporary, it may provide valuable experience and networking opportunities that could lead to future career growth within the company or the industry.

📝 Sample Projects

• Writing and implementing narrative assets for a new Call of Duty® title, such as cinematic scripts, in-game dialogue, and story bible documentation.
• Collaborating with the team to develop and refine the game's narrative structure, characters, and themes.
• Writing promotional copy for the game, such as trailers, press releases, and marketing materials.

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are based on the role's responsibilities and may vary depending on the specific game and project demands.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the narrative structure and themes of the upcoming Call of Duty® title, and how my work would contribute to its development?
• How does the team collaborate and communicate to ensure the narrative assets are implemented effectively in the game?
• What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the company, particularly for narrative designers?
• How does the company support work-life balance, especially for employees working on demanding projects with tight deadlines?
• What is the company's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how does it foster a supportive and inclusive work environment?

ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions can help you better understand the role, the team, and the company culture, allowing you to make an informed decision about the position.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
• Prepare examples of your previous work, such as game scripts, short stories, or other narrative design projects.
• Be prepared to discuss your understanding of the Call of Duty® franchise and its narrative structure.
• Follow up with the hiring manager or HR department one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application.

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.