Videogame Writer (Remote)

Videogame Writer (Remote)

Seismic Squirrel LLC

Job Title: Videogame Writer

The Game: A vehicular RPG videogame set in an alt-history 1930s New York City.

Role: Writing for a videogame.

Experience: 3+ years of professional experience as a videogame writer.

        Must have successfully shipped a game in the role of writer.

Location: USA or Canada (Remote)
        Must reside within the UTC-4 to UTC-8 timezones.

Team Size: 23

Pay: $32 - $38 USD per hour – Depends on skills and experience.

Job Type: Contractor (Remote)

Overview

Seismic Squirrel is a close-knit fully remote videogame studio with a passion for developing well-crafted story-based games.  Our nimble size allows for everyone to have a voice in the projects we create, demanding the ability to be both detail-oriented and flexible.

We are looking for a creative and resourceful Videogame Writer with a clear talent for producing compelling stories and writing engaging dialog, using precise grammar, with a passion for history, a logical and systemic thinker, with an iterative approach to development, a collaborative spirit, excellent communication skills, and an enthusiasm for RPG and turn-based videogames.  The ideal candidate enjoys working with talented engineers, designers, writers, artists, and management, with a drive to create a fun and cohesive gameplay experience, able to empathize with both new players and with experts of the genre.

The ideal candidate communicates effectively in a small cross-functional remote team environment, clearly presenting their ideas to stakeholders for signoff.  They bring a passion for working within an iterative development environment, having a collaborative spirit and an enthusiasm for videogames.

This is a remote contractor position which requires regular collaboration online during our core work hours (9:30 AM – 4:30 PM Pacific), attending relevant team meetings (e.g. daily scrum, retrospectives, sprint planning, and design meetings).  Occasional calls during late evenings, nights, and early mornings should be expected for meetings with international contributors.  The option to convert to full-time employee may be available to ideal candidates, depending on their location, skills, fit, project needs and schedule, and funding.  H-1B transfers and sponsorships are not available at this time.

For more information about Seismic Squirrel, go to https://www.SeismicSquirrel.com/

Quests

• Work with our Narrative Designer to define and structure our story in a non-linear format for use within a videogame.
• Write sub-stories within the overall game story.
• Identify compelling characters, events, and places from the history of New York and beyond for inclusion within our game’s story.
• Engage in all aspects of the game's narrative, including dialogs, cutscenes, intros and outros, even environmental storytelling using signs and props.
• Educate and explain writing concerns to the rest of the Development Team.
• Work with the Design Team to maintain narrative quality throughout the development process.
• Actively collaborate with the rest of the Development Team, openly communicating progress and problems, helping us set realistic project timelines and expectations.
• Participate in internal game testing and feedback.
• Help to create and maintain project documentation regarding narrative, including character and location profiles, subplot summaries, and the like.
• Balance and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines, working within agreed timeframes and budgets.

Character Stats

• 5+ years of experience as a professional videogame writer.
• Wields a deep understanding of writing and story structure.
• Has a proven talent for quality writing with fascinating characters and compelling storylines.
• Excellent written, visual, and verbal English language communication and presentation skills.
• Familiar with the game's setting of 1930s New York City, including such topics as the American Mafia, the Depression, Prohibition, Tammany Hall, Fiorello La Guardia, Robert Moses, Flappers, and the Harlem Renaissance.
• An avid researcher with a passion for history and an attention to detail.
• An experienced gamer with a passion for videogames as a storytelling medium.
• Enthusiastic for quality gameplay and a familiarity with many games and genres, both past and present.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, resourceful, able to find solutions when needed.
• Strong self-discipline, motivated, a self-starter with a drive for excellence.
• Organized, detail-oriented, able to work fast and loose or carefully with quality when each is needed.
• Courteous and patient, able to give and receive constructive and inspirational feedback gracefully.
• Able to work effectively with people having a variety of personalities and backgrounds.
• Adaptable: The job can change according to the needs at hand and requires wearing various hats.
• Able to work remotely using various collaboration tools.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Visio.
• Passionate to learn new tools and technologies.

Bonus Points

• BA in Literature, MFA in Creative Writing.
• Experience with Narrative Design is a plus.
• Experience using Pixel Crushers Dialogue System is a plus.
• Experience as a Dungeon Master / Game Master is a plus.

If this sounds like an exciting opportunity for you and you're located in the USA or Canada, please submit both your cover letter and résumé to Seismic Squirrel.

Note: Due to the deluge of applications and our team's limited capacity to assess, don't be surprised if we are unable to respond right away if you apply.