A senior writer is an accomplished, proven professional with a history of quality work that has been released to the public. Senior writers are capable of performing all writing functions on a project. Senior writers are expected to meet their own writing goals and deadlines while also helping to identify other writing tasks and hold the team to standards of quality. Senior writers are expected to help craft the current and future narrative direction of our IP. Additionally, Senior Writers will often act as Lead Writer on a specific project throughout its development. Essentially, Senior writers should be the type of person every project wants on their side.
While we prefer working in a hybrid model, System Era supports a variety of work routines to match the needs of our team, including permanent remote work within the US and Canada. Compensation package includes salary, benefits with full medical and dental coverage for employee and dependents, 401k with company match, participation in profit sharing and equity plans, discretionary bonuses, as well as relocation assistance for those interested in moving to Washington state. The base salary range for this position is $ 100,000 to 115,000 depending on the skills and experience of the candidate. We look for candidates who value joining a team with a diverse set of backgrounds, experiences, interests, and viewpoints.
Responsibilities:
- Write main quests, side quests, tool-tips, descriptions, dialogue, and any other writing assigned to the creation of stories or support of game needed from story department
- Provide context and writing support to localization teams, ensuring that translators are equipped with appropriate information to make high-quality translations
- Work with the Narrative Design Director and Narrative Design Lead in guiding collaborative story improvements, engage in story discussions, and work with the team to refine dialogue and in game writing
- Collaborate with other writers, narrative designers, and developers of all disciplines to develop stories for the Astroneer Universe IP
- When assigned, function as Lead Writer of a project or project area. Lead writers guide the tone, content and writing strategy for the assigned project
- Review and/or edit submissions from other members of the story team, both internal and external
- Proactively identify undefined writing needs and develop strategies and deadlines to fulfill those needs
- Independently balance quality, workload, and deadlines, and proactively communicate with the Production team on schedules and priorities
- Aid in the creation and direction of transmedia projects in the Astroneer Universe
- Aid in the writing and brainstorming of backstory, worldbuilding, and creation of narrative story bible
- Create and distribute documents internally to narrative team via sharepoint and externally to team via confluence.
- Organize and maintain story documentation for team use
- Attend departmental and interdepartmental meetings as a representative of the narrative team
- Work with and within assigned strike teams to provide story insight and support
Qualifications:
- 5+ years of professional writing experience
- Has shipped at least one AAA game or has equivalent experience. Specifically, the writer must have previous work that is published and has been publicly critiqued, ideally related to work on a collaborative project.
- Excellent collaboration skills, and a track record of developing and maintaining constructive professional relationships with colleagues across multiple disciplines and degrees of seniority. A senior writer is a gracious collaborator, able to put their ego aside in order to co-develop content with other stakeholders and designers.
- Ability to proactively identify undefined writing needs and develop strategies and deadlines to fulfill those needs
- Ability to balance quality, workload, and deadlines. Senior Writers can identify places where the writing meets quality targets for the project and adjust their strategies and priorities accordingly.
- Skilled in writing entertaining and engaging dialogue with meaningful character interactions across different styles, tones, and mediums.
- Knowledge of Word, Excel, Spreadsheets, and Confluence
- Must be able to work long hours at a computer with internet access
Bonus Considerations:
- Experience with critiquing and/or mentoring junior writers.
- Experience in other areas of game development (game design, narrative design, etc.)
- Experience with game editors and text and dialogue systems in games editors.
- Experience in writing for transmedia or other forms of entertainment
- Familiar with Adventure Time, Doctor Who, and Adventure Time