📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Writer - Temp (Story and Franchise Development / SFD)
🔹 Company: Activision Blizzard
🔹 Location: Irvine, California, United States
🔹 Job Type: Temporary
🔹 Category: Entertainment Providers
🔹 Date Posted: April 8, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Irvine, CA)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing Blizzard Entertainment's intellectual properties, focusing on animated content and game writing
- Collaborating with various teams to create engaging narratives and expand franchises across different media types
- Working in a hybrid environment, with some work on-site and some work-from-home
- Contributing to IP development for all of Blizzard Entertainment's franchises, including in-game cinematics and narrative design work
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong background in screenwriting or story development, with a proven track record of delivering content for established franchises.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Assume a prominent role in the development of Blizzard Entertainment's intellectual properties, focused on animated content and game writing
✅ Contribute to IP development for all of Blizzard Entertainment's franchises, including in-game cinematics and narrative design work
✅ Work closely with directors, creative directors, editors, storyboard artists, marketing and other stakeholders to develop epic entertainment experiences
✅ Collaborate with internal development teams to evolve Blizzard Entertainment's intellectual properties and expand them in various media types
ASSUMPTION: This role involves working closely with various teams, requiring strong communication and collaboration skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
Experience: 5+ years of experience as a screenwriter or story editor, preferably delivering content for an established franchise(s)
Required Skills:
- Thorough knowledge of the story development process
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to thrive under deadlines
- Awareness of successful intellectual properties in today's popular culture
- Ability to work and thrive in a team environment across production stages
- Ability to produce written work without constant supervision
- Ability to process feedback comfortably, and pivot without attachment
Preferred Skills:
- Enthusiasm for video and/or tabletop games
- Knowledge of Blizzard Entertainment's intellectual properties
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, a strong portfolio showcasing previous writing work is likely expected for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $72,720 - $134,460 Annual (Standard base pay range for new hires across all U.S. locations)
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
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on the information given in the job description. Actual offers may vary based on relevant experience, performance, and work location.
📌 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.
Company Size: 5,001-10,000 employees. As a large company, Activision Blizzard offers numerous opportunities for career growth and collaboration.
Founded: 2008 (as Activision Blizzard; Activision was founded in 1979, and Blizzard Entertainment in 1991)
Company Description:
- Activision Blizzard 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™
- The company's combined entertainment network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users in 196 countries, making it the largest gaming network on the planet
- Activision Blizzard has been 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 ample opportunities for creative and professional growth.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior level, with a focus on storytelling and franchise development
Reporting Structure: This role reports to the Creative Development team and works closely with various stakeholders, including directors, creative directors, editors, storyboard artists, and marketing teams
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with some work on-site and some work-from-home. The potential home studio for this role is Irvine, CA
Growth Opportunities:
- Expanding intellectual properties across various media types
- Collaborating with diverse teams to develop engaging narratives
- Potential full-time opportunities, depending on the success of the temporary role
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential, both in terms of creative development and career advancement within the company.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid, with a potential home studio in Irvine, CA
Office Location(s): Irvine, CA
Geographic Context:
- Irvine, CA is located in Orange County, with a population of approximately 300,000
- The area offers a mix of urban and suburban environments, with numerous parks, beaches, and cultural attractions nearby
- Activision Blizzard's Irvine office is located in the Irvine Business Complex, one of the largest concentrations of employment in the region
Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, with some flexibility for work-from-home arrangements
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, allowing for a more personalized work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the creative development team
- Final interview with the studio head or another senior leader
Key Assessment Areas:
- Writing samples and portfolio
- Storytelling and narrative skills
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Adaptability and feedback processing
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant writing experience and storytelling skills
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your best writing work, with a focus on screenwriting and narrative design
- Research Blizzard Entertainment's intellectual properties and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's franchises
ATS Keywords: Screenwriting, Story Development, Dialogue Writing, Narrative Design, Collaboration, Communication, Organization, Feedback Processing, Teamwork, Creativity, Adaptability, Passion for Storytelling, Knowledge of Popular Culture, Initiative, Experience in Writers' Room
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should tailor their application materials to emphasize their storytelling skills, collaboration experience, and passion for Blizzard Entertainment's intellectual properties.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Screenwriting software (e.g., Final Draft, Movie Magic Screenwriter)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, familiarity with industry-standard screenwriting software and project management tools is likely expected for this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Creativity
- Fun
- Innovation
- Quality
- Teamwork
Work Style:
- Collaborative
- Fast-paced
- Creative
- Adaptable
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you approach processing feedback and iterating on your work?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully collaborated with a diverse team to achieve a common goal?
- How do you stay up-to-date with popular culture and trends in storytelling?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their alignment with Activision Blizzard's company values and work style, as well as their ability to thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment may require adaptability and quick decision-making
- Balancing on-site and remote work may present unique challenges in terms of communication and time management
- Developing content for established franchises may require a deep understanding of existing lore and fan expectations
- Meeting tight deadlines and maintaining high-quality standards may be challenging at times
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to discuss how they have overcome challenges in previous roles and how they would approach potential obstacles in this position.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from other senior writing positions in its focus on animated content and franchise development for a large, established entertainment company
- Activision Blizzard's extensive portfolio of popular franchises offers unique opportunities for creative and professional growth
- Career paths within the company may include transitions to full-time positions, depending on the success of the temporary role
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should research similar roles within the industry to better understand the unique aspects of this position and how it aligns with their career goals.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a short film or animated pilot based on an existing Blizzard Entertainment intellectual property
- Writing a feature-length screenplay for a popular franchise, incorporating fan feedback and existing lore
- Contributing to the narrative design of an upcoming game expansion, working closely with the development team to create engaging storylines and quests
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to discuss their experience with similar projects and how they would approach the unique challenges and opportunities presented by this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the typical workflow for a project from start to finish, including collaboration with various teams?
- How does the company support the growth and development of its writers and storytellers?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working on established franchises, and how does the company address these challenges?
- How does the company balance maintaining the quality and integrity of its intellectual properties while continuing to innovate and evolve?
- What opportunities are there for collaboration and knowledge-sharing between different teams and departments within the company?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate their interest in the role and the company, as well as their understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the position.
📌 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 writing experience and storytelling skills
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your best writing work, with a focus on screenwriting and narrative design
- Research Blizzard Entertainment's intellectual properties and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's franchises
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application, inquiring about the status of your application and expressing your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
