📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Narrative Designer (Writer) (Temporary) - Infinity Ward
🔹 Company: Activision Blizzard
🔹 Location: Woodland Hills, Utah, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Temporary
🔹 Category: Entertainment Providers
🔹 Date Posted: June 12, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 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 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 story and game structure, as well as excellent communication skills. Previous experience in TV, film, and game writing is essential.
📋 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
✅ Spec and oversee the creation of systems to support key story beats within the game experience
✅ Understand gameplay elements and assess how they could affect the development of the story
✅ 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 experience in TV, film, and game writing, with a strong understanding of story and game structure, and excellent communication skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in a creative or communication-focused field, or equivalent work experience
Experience: 8+ years of game development experience, with 3+ 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 with cinematic writing
- Experience with in-game dialogue across story and multiplayer game modes
- Experience writing on produced feature films or television scripts
- Experience in military or action adventure games or entertainment products
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, experience with game engines and familiarity with game development pipelines would be beneficial for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $80,800 - $149,400 Annual
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
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexible scheduling based on project needs
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the U.S. location of the role and the company's standard base pay range for new hires across all U.S. locations. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed and may vary based on individual performance and company goals.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Entertainment Providers, with a focus on video game development and publishing
Company Size: 5,001-10,000 employees, providing a large and diverse work environment with ample opportunities for growth and collaboration
Founded: The company was founded in 2002, with the Infinity Ward studio being established in 2002 as well
Company Description:
- Activision Blizzard is one of the world’s largest interactive entertainment companies, with operations across North America, Europe, and Asia
- The company is home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises, including Call of Duty®, Skylanders®, World of Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, Candy Crush™, and Bubble Witch™
- Their combined entertainment network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users in 196 countries, making them the largest gaming network on the planet
Company Specialties:
- Video Games
- Entertainment
- Consumer Products
- Media
- Film and TV
- Gaming
- Production
Company Website: http://www.activisionblizzard.com/
ASSUMPTION: Activision Blizzard is a well-established company with a strong reputation in the gaming industry, offering a wide range of benefits and opportunities for professional growth.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior level, with the opportunity to lead and mentor junior team members
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Creative and Narrative Directors at Infinity Ward
Work Arrangement: On-site, with the possibility of hybrid or remote work arrangements depending on project needs and company policies
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to work on multiple high-profile game franchises within the Activision Blizzard portfolio
- Opportunities to mentor junior team members and contribute to the development of the company's narrative design processes
- Possibility to transition into a full-time, permanent role based on performance and company needs
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to work on high-profile projects and contribute to the development of the company's narrative design processes.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, with a relaxed yet diligent workplace environment
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 easy access to outdoor recreation, shopping, and dining options
- The office is located near major highways, making it easily accessible by car
Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours, with the possibility of overtime based on project needs and deadlines
ASSUMPTION: The Woodland Hills office provides a convenient and comfortable work environment, with easy access to amenities and a relaxed, yet productive atmosphere.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application 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
Key Assessment Areas:
- Creativity and storytelling abilities
- Communication skills and collaboration
- Understanding of game production and pipelines
- Alignment with company values and culture
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your narrative design and writing samples, including any relevant game projects or scripts
- Research the company and the Infinity Ward studio to demonstrate your enthusiasm and understanding of their games and culture
ATS Keywords: Narrative Design, Creative Writing, Storytelling, Game Production, Collaboration, Communication, Game Development, Interactive Storytelling, Project Management, Risk Assessment, Feedback and Direction
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role may involve multiple interviews and assessments, focusing on the candidate's creativity, communication skills, and understanding of game production and pipelines.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity)
- Writing software (e.g., Final Draft, Google Docs)
- Project management tools (e.g., Jira, Trello)
- Version control systems (e.g., Perforce, Git)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with industry-standard game engines, writing software, project management tools, and version control systems is essential for this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Creative Excellence
- Ownership
- One Activision Blizzard
- Innovation
- Fun, Always
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Creative and innovative
- Results-driven and accountable
- Adaptable and responsive to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a creative and collaborative work environment?
- Are you passionate about storytelling and interactive media?
- Can you effectively communicate complex ideas and concepts to team members and stakeholders?
- Are you comfortable working within established narrative canon and gameplay goals?
ASSUMPTION: Activision Blizzard values a diverse and inclusive work environment, with a strong focus on creativity, collaboration, and innovation.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Working on tight deadlines and managing multiple projects simultaneously
- Navigating a large and complex organization with multiple teams and stakeholders
- Adapting to changes in project scope or direction
- Managing expectations and feedback from creative and narrative directors
ASSUMPTION: This role may present challenges related to project management, stakeholder communication, and adaptability to change, but offers significant opportunities for growth and learning.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from other narrative design positions in its focus on temporary work arrangements and specific game franchises
- Infinity Ward's narrative design roles may require more specialized knowledge of military or action adventure games and entertainment products
- Career progression in this role may involve transitioning to full-time, permanent positions within the Activision Blizzard portfolio
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other narrative design positions, its temporary nature and focus on specific game franchises set it apart.
📝 Sample Projects
- Writing cinematic scripts and in-game dialogue for the Call of Duty® franchise
- Developing narrative assets and systems for upcoming, unannounced projects at Infinity Ward
- Contributing to the story bible and pitch documentation for new game concepts
ASSUMPTION: Sample projects for this role may involve working on high-profile game franchises and contributing to the development of new game concepts within the Activision Blizzard portfolio.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key narrative goals and themes for the upcoming projects at Infinity Ward?
- How does this role fit into the overall narrative design team and the studio's creative vision?
- What opportunities are there for growth and development within the narrative design team and the studio as a whole?
- How does the studio support work-life balance for its employees?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working on narrative design for the Call of Duty® franchise, and how can I best prepare for them?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and informed questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to understanding the company's culture and expectations.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your narrative design and writing samples, including any relevant game projects or scripts
- Research the company and the Infinity Ward studio to demonstrate your enthusiasm and understanding of their games and culture
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
