Incubation Narrative Systems Designer (Senior to Staff)

Are you on a mission to create games that bond players together into deeply invested communities? Do you have fond memories of the time you've spent immersed in shared online worlds? Can you talk for hours about social simulation games that produce emergent NPC behaviors that delight and surprise players? Do you have strong opinions about how to bring a vividly simulated NPC to life? Are you excited by the idea of prototyping experimental narrative systems that chart new ground in multiplayer PVP and PVE storytelling?

As a Narrative NPC Systems Designer, you will work with a team to prototype different game ideas on the path to production. Most importantly, you will work with a fun, dedicated, and passionate cross-discipline team devoted to turning a creative dream into a new franchise at Bungie.

We look for candidates who value joining a mission-focused team with a diverse set of backgrounds, experiences, interests, and viewpoints.

RESPONSIBILITES

• Work closely with Narrative, Design, and Engineering to design, document, implement, and iterate on multiplayer NPC simulation systems that create the illusion of living characters in an evolving shared world 
• Own and drive the game's multiplayer narrative simulation systems through launch and beyond 
• Participate as a key decider in the creation of character-driven narrative scenarios that add humor, delight, imagination, depth and mystery to the world 
• Lead the definition of new tools and best practices used to edit and maintain NPC narrative simulation data 
• Implement narrative simulation data in various forms (e.g., in-engine, tools, spreadsheets, visual scripting, etc.) to enrich worldbuilding and NPC characterization 
• Contribute to and uphold the creative vision of the game, ensuring consistency across all aspects of game design 
• Collaborate daily with the team through feedback, design guidance, roadmaps, and providing clear goals and outcomes to teammates

REQUIRED

• Strong narrative craft fundamentals, with particular focus on characters and interactivity
• Good design and production instincts, ability to anticipate how small system changes might knock-on to the broader game experience
• Good technical skills and analytical mindset, comfortable working directly with engineers to architect systems
• A passion for and/or desire to create engaging content for a young adult audience
• Excitement to support social and design goals as the foundation of the player's narrative experience
• Excitement to contribute to foundational narrative in a new IP
• Embraces a "we" culture in addition to being an outstanding collaborator and communicator
• Comfortable with uncertainty in a fast-moving and ambiguous small team environment with minimal oversight

NICE-TO-HAVE SKILLS

• Passion for interactive multiplayer storytelling in all its forms
• Interest in dynamic/generative narrative systems in simulation genres
• Interest in cozy, lighthearted simulation systems
• Familiarity with development using Unreal Engine and/or Unity
• Experience writing shipped narrative content (e.g., strings, VO)

Listed below is this role's base pay range. When a role is to be filled by candidates at multiple levels, more than one pay range will be shown. In other locations that Bungie has approved for remote work, this pay range may be adjusted up to +/- 10% and some roles may be classified as non-exempt (hourly). 
        
This range is determined by an array of factors, including training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs, and market demands. Additionally, it is subject to change and may be modified in the future. 
        
In the journey to make incredible worlds, Bungie employees don't simply do meaningful work - they receive meaningful support. Competitive salaries and discretionary bonus opportunities are just the start. We offer comprehensive healthcare coverage, generous 401(k) matching, flexible time off policies, paid parental leave, social clubs, and so much more. Check out our benefits page: Benefits - Bungie Careers to see all the perks that come with joining Bungie.