Principal Narrative Designer

Reposted 5 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Cary, NC, USA
In-Office
205K-301K Annually
Expert/Leader
Gaming • Metaverse
The Role
The Principal Game Designer creates engagement systems for Fortnite, driving player experience and innovation across the development teams, managing goals for progression and player satisfaction.
Summary Generated by Built In
WHAT MAKES US EPIC?

At the core of Epic’s success are talented, passionate people. Epic prides itself on creating a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment. Whether it’s building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make visually stunning interactive experiences, we’re always innovating.

Being Epic means being a part of a team that continually strives to do right by our community and users. We’re constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development.

DESIGNWhat We Do

Put your design skills to work at a cutting-edge company that challenges the norm. From character and level design to competitive gameplay and system design, help shape the future of interactive entertainment at Epic.

What You'll Do

Epic Games is looking for a Principal Game Designer to tackle high-level engagement challenges across the Fortnite ecosystem. This includes innovating existing systems like Quests and Passes and creating entirely new structures to guide the player experience across the growing platform. Designers at Epic drive vision across cross-disciplinary development teams to engage players with goals that enrich their knowledge and tie in to broader forms of progression.

In this role, you will
  • Work with our writers to execute the narrative vision and development for Fortnite and potential new and existing game IPs
  • Vet and review the existing intake processes for the writing team across various projects, such as Fortnite Battle Royale, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the current systems in place
  • Collaborate closely with Senior Creative Leadership, Senior Art Leadership, Production, and other key stakeholders to craft and articulate compelling game stories, characters, and worlds that resonate with a global audience
  • Work closely with the game design team to ensure the narrative complements and enhances gameplay, coordinating with the Art team on narrative aspects of characters and world-building
  • Aid in the development and writing of engaging storylines, dialogue, and in-game text
  • Maintain effective communication with the development team and other project stakeholders to ensure seamless integration of narrative elements into the gameplay
  • Collaborate with Lead Writer to lead casting and voice recording sessions, ensuring the overall coherence and quality of the narrative experience
What we're looking for
  • Extensive narrative design or writing experience in game production, with at least one AAA shipped project as a Narrative Lead, Lead Writer, or Narrative Director
  • Significant experience with fiction writing and game design
  • A highly creative mind with a collaborative, empathetic, and innovative approach
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to work well under deadlines
  • Knowledge of industry trends and successful intellectual properties
  • Proficiency in modern video game storytelling techniques and narrative systems 

This role is open to multiple locations in North America (including CA & WA)

Pay Transparency Information

The expected annual base pay range(s) for this position are detailed below. Each base pay range is relevant only for individuals who are residents of or will be expected to work within the specified locale. Compensation varies based on a variety of factors, which include (but aren’t limited to) things such as skills and competencies, qualifications, knowledge, and experience. In addition to base pay, most employees are eligible to participate in Epic’s generous benefit plans and discretionary incentive programs (subject to the terms of those plans or programs).

California Base Pay Range
$205,434$301,303 USD
Washington Base Pay Range
$186,758$273,912 USD
ABOUT US

Epic Games spans across 25 countries with 46 studios and 4,500+ employees globally. For over 25 years, we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world-class talent.

Like what you hear? Come be a part of something Epic!

Epic Games deeply values diverse teams and an inclusive work culture, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Learn more about our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy here.

Note to Recruitment Agencies: Epic does not accept any unsolicited resumes or approaches from any unauthorized third party (including recruitment or placement agencies) (i.e., a third party with whom we do not have a negotiated and validly executed agreement). We will not pay any fees to any unauthorized third party. Further details on these matters can be found here.

Skills Required

  • 10+ years of experience as a game designer
  • Experience shipping multiple titles in live-service multiplayer environments
  • Deep understanding of player motivations and engagement.
  • Strong interest in Battle Royale and Fortnite Ecosystem

Epic Games Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Epic Games and has not been reviewed or approved by Epic Games.

  • Healthcare Strength Health coverage is described as comprehensive—often free—and includes medical, dental, vision, and access to therapy sessions. Feedback suggests these offerings are a standout element of the overall package.
  • Equity Value & Accessibility Stock options and sizable bonuses are highlighted as meaningful parts of total compensation, with some describing pay as unmatched. Feedback suggests equity and incentives materially enhance perceived compensation.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth Generous time off, paid holidays, and sabbaticals are referenced alongside improvements in work-life balance. Feedback suggests paid leave breadth helps offset demanding periods.

Epic Games Insights

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The Company
HQ: Cary, NC
5,500 Employees
Year Founded: 1991

What We Do

Founded in 1991, Epic Games is an American company founded by CEO Tim Sweeney. The company is headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, and has more than 50 offices worldwide. Today Epic is a leading interactive entertainment company and provider of 3D engine technology. Epic operates one of the world’s largest games, Fortnite, and Epic has over 600 million accounts with over 5 billion friend connections across Fortnite, Fall Guys, Rocket League, and the Epic Games Store. Epic also develops Unreal Engine, which powers the world’s leading games and is also adopted across industries such as film and television, architecture, automotive, manufacturing, and simulation. Through Unreal Engine, Epic Games Store, and Epic Online Services, Epic provides an end-to-end digital ecosystem for developers and creators to build, distribute, and operate games and other content.

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