π Core Information
πΉ Job Title: Senior Writer
πΉ Company: Innersloth
πΉ Location: Remote (North America)
πΉ Job Type: Contractor
πΉ Category: Computer Games
πΉ Date Posted: April 5, 2025
πΉ Experience Level: 2-5 years
πΉ Remote Status: Remote Solely
π Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Writing and editing branching and linear dialogues, scenarios, barks, and descriptions
- Establishing and maintaining distinct character voice
- Drafting scenes and dialogue rapidly, and iterating frequently based on feedback
- Brainstorming, pitching, and working in a creative tandem with Narrative Director on general storyline, themes, character arcs, lore, and specific scenes
- Creating and maintaining documentation on characters, writing style, and game scenes
- Participating in regular meetings with our small team
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong background in narrative game writing, with a focus on character dialogue. It involves close collaboration with the Narrative Director and the ability to work well with feedback.
π Key Responsibilities
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Write and edit branching and linear dialogues, scenarios, barks, and descriptions
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Establish and maintain distinct character voice
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Draft scenes and dialogue rapidly, and iterate frequently based on feedback
β
Brainstorm, pitch, and work in a creative tandem with Narrative Director on general storyline, themes, character arcs, lore, and specific scenes
β
Create and maintain documentation on characters, writing style, and game scenes
β
Participate in regular meetings with the small team
ASSUMPTION: The role requires a high level of creativity, adaptability, and strong communication skills to work effectively with the team and incorporate feedback.
π― Required Qualifications
Education: Not specified, but relevant experience is crucial
Experience: Experience shipping a game where you were responsible for writing a significant amount of character dialogue
Required Skills:
- Very comfortable giving, receiving, and acting on frequent rounds of feedback
- Understanding of narrative design, and ability to keep gameplay, art, and sound in mind when creating story beats
- Experience planning and writing non-linear dialogue
- Confident working with pre-existing IP, story structure, gameplay, and project scope
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with Ink or other narrative scripting languages
- Experience in comedy writing
ASSUMPTION: While specific education is not mentioned, the role requires a strong background in narrative game writing and a proven track record of shipping games.
π° Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $60,000 - $80,000 USD per year (Based on industry standards for a Senior Writer role with 2-5 years of experience)
Benefits:
- Guaranteed 10-month, full-time, contracted, remote work from home position
- Competitive fixed monthly rate payment
- Guaranteed position safety and stability for the duration of the project
- Collection of friendly, diverse workmates and partner companies
Working Hours: 40 hours/week, with flexible hours around 9 am - 5 pm EST
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for a Senior Writer role with the given experience level. The benefits package is comprehensive and focused on job security and work-life balance.
π Applicant Insights
π Company Context
Industry: Computer Games
Company Size: 11-50 employees
Founded: 2015
Company Description:
- Innersloth is a small independent game studio most notable for creating Among Us and The Henry Stickmin Collection
- The company is mainly based around Seattle, USA, but has employees and partners all across the globe
- Innersloth is known for creating games they want to make and hoping people will want to play them
Company Specialties:
- Game Development
- Narrative Design
- Character Development
- Storytelling
Company Website: http://www.innersloth.com
ASSUMPTION: Innersloth is a small, independent game studio with a focus on narrative-driven games. They value creativity and diversity in their team and games.
π Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Project Director (Forest) and works closely with the Narrative Director (Alex)
Work Arrangement: Remote, full-time, with flexible hours around 9 am - 5 pm EST
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential extension of the contract based on project requirements
- Opportunity to work on an unannounced title with a small, established team
- Chance to contribute to the narrative design and story of the game
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for growth and learning, as well as the chance to work on a high-profile project with a small, dedicated team.
π Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Remote
Office Location(s): North America
Geographic Context:
- The role is remote, allowing for flexibility in location within North America
- The company is based in Redmond, WA, USA, but has employees and partners all across the globe
- The team is small, with around 10 people working on the unannounced title
Work Schedule: 40 hours/week, with flexible hours around 9 am - 5 pm EST
ASSUMPTION: The remote work environment offers flexibility and the opportunity to work with a diverse team from various locations.
πΌ Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Email acknowledgment of receipt
- Review of applications and contact for next stage (early May)
- Video call with 2-3 team members for technical experience and skillset review
- Short writing test within 3 days (up to 5 business days for review)
- Video call with wider team members to assess problem-solving and teamwork skills
- Job offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Technical experience and skillset
- Writing test performance
- Problem-solving and teamwork skills
Application Tips:
- Include a portfolio with 2-3 examples of game writing, including character dialogue authored by you
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with narrative design and working with pre-existing IP
- Showcase your ability to give, receive, and act on feedback
ATS Keywords: Character Dialogue, Narrative Design, Non-linear Dialogue, Story Structure, Lore, Documentation, Brainstorming, Proactivity, Independence, Accountability, Comedy Writing
ASSUMPTION: The application process is thorough and involves multiple stages to assess the candidate's technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork.
π οΈ Tools & Technologies
- Ink or other narrative scripting languages (preferred)
- Game engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine)
- Project management tools (e.g., Jira, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: The role may require experience with specific narrative scripting languages and game engines, depending on the project's needs.
π Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Creativity
- Diversity
- Collaboration
Work Style:
- Proactive and independent
- Accountable and responsible
- Comfortable with frequent rounds of feedback
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you ensure that each character in a game has a unique voice and maintains that voice throughout the game?
- How do you handle receiving and incorporating feedback into your writing process?
- How do you balance creativity and adherence to project scope and constraints?
ASSUMPTION: Innersloth values creativity, diversity, and collaboration in their team and games. Candidates should be proactive, independent, and comfortable with feedback.
β οΈ Potential Challenges
- Working with pre-existing IP and story structures
- Managing frequent rounds of feedback and rapid iteration
- Balancing creativity with project scope and constraints
- Adapting to a small, remote team with diverse locations
ASSUMPTION: The role may present challenges in working with pre-existing IP, managing feedback, and adapting to a remote work environment.
π Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from other narrative game writing positions in its focus on character dialogue and close collaboration with the Narrative Director
- Industry-specific context: The computer games industry is competitive and fast-paced, with a strong emphasis on creativity and innovation
- Career path comparison: This role can lead to opportunities in narrative design, game direction, or other senior writing positions
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on character dialogue and close collaboration with the Narrative Director. It offers opportunities for growth and learning in the narrative game writing field.
π Sample Projects
- Among Us (character dialogue and narrative design)
- The Henry Stickmin Collection (character dialogue and narrative design)
- Unannounced title (character dialogue, narrative design, and story structure)
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the candidate's experience with character dialogue, narrative design, and story structure in narrative game writing.
β Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does the team approach collaboration and feedback in the narrative design process?
- What are the key story beats and themes for the unannounced title, and how can I contribute to their development?
- How does the team balance creativity and adherence to project scope and constraints?
- What opportunities are there for growth and learning in this role?
- How does the team support work-life balance and mental health in a remote work environment?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions help the candidate understand the team's approach to collaboration, the project's narrative design, and opportunities for growth and learning.
π Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Include a portfolio with 2-3 examples of game writing, including character dialogue authored by you
- Prepare for a video call to discuss your technical experience and skillset
- Complete a short writing test within 3 days (up to 5 business days for review)
- Prepare for a video call with wider team members to assess your problem-solving and teamwork skills
- Follow up with the team after your application submission to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
β οΈ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.