Hello! I’m William, the designer of Manifold Garden and the Creative Director of William Chyr Studio (WCS). We are a small indie game studio based in Chicago, with a remote team located around the world. 

We are currently working on an unannounced original game as a follow-up to Manifold Garden and are looking for an experienced and skilled Narrative Designer to work with us on a contract basis. In this role, you will work closely with the creative team to shape the narrative of the game and help us tie together gameplay into an immersive and cohesive experience. 

The position is remote and will require around 20 hours per week of availability, with potential to scale up. At the moment, we are estimating this to be a 6-month contract. 

Background

Manifold Garden’s development began in 2012. It was inspired by the works of M.C. Escher, physics, and architecture. While the game started as a solo project, it was a team that took it through the finish line. The core team came together starting in 2017, and the final product is a collaborative effort with all of our contributions.

Manifold Garden was released in October 2019 to critical acclaim. It was nominated for a BAFTA and Game Developers Choice Award and has since been exhibited at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Design Museum in London. The game is available on Apple Arcade, Steam, Epic Games Store, Itchio, PS4/PS5, Xbox One /Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch. We partnered with iam8bit to release a physical edition for PS5 and Switch, as well as a beautiful edition of the soundtrack on vinyl that won the Best Vinyl Gatefold Award.

What are we working on? 

Since Manifold Garden was released, we’ve been working on several new projects. We are excited about the creative potential of new technologies. Our focus is to create innovative games that push the boundaries of gameplay and reimagine space, physics, and architecture. One of the projects we are working on is an original VR title that explores impossible geometry. 

What are we looking for in a Narrative Designer? 

We are looking for a narrative designer who can meaningfully build from our core game mechanics to enhance the significance and setting of the player's journey through the game— and to do so without any in-game text! 

The ideal candidate works well independently and as a team member and possesses strong oral and written communication skills. They are self-motivated and can run with a task. They are problem solvers who are resourceful and imaginative.

The narrative designer will help us build out the setting of the game, integrate gameplay with narrative, and ultimately help make the experience cohesive for the player. They understand how narrative works in combination with gameplay mechanics and player agency. They are able to work within the constraints of the game design. 

The applicant enjoys collaborating with multiple people, including designers, artists, and programmers. They are comfortable working with an iterative process.

Responsibilities

• Establish the narrative direction of the game based on the creative vision
• Collaborate with the creative team to develop a cohesive narrative while working within the constraints of the game’s design
• Use environment and props for storytelling. The game will not be text-based, and nor will it have voiced narrative
• Work closely with level designers and artists to ensure narrative and gameplay integration
• Research historical, cultural, and thematic elements to enrich the game's narrative
• Iterate and refine the narrative based on playtesting and feedback

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience as a Narrative Designer in the games industry
• Worked on at least one published game in a professional capacity
• Strong storytelling and narrative development skills
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Strong research skills
• Ability to accept direction and respond appropriately to feedback
• Demonstrated experience working within cross-disciplinary teams
• Good knowledge of VR limitations
• Consistent access to Quest 2 or Quest 3 Headset
• Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize tasks, estimate time for deliverables, and communicate regularly regarding these matters.

Skills and Experience that would be beneficial but not required:

• Proficiency in Unity
• Passion for VR and its storytelling potential

Location

• Anywhere
• The Studio’s synchronous office hours are 10 am - 2 pm CT. Occasional availability to meet remotely during this time will be required. 

To Apply

Please send us an email with "WCS - Narrative Designer'' in the subject line. Please also include 

• A brief outline of why you think you'd fit the position, including the number of years you’ve worked as a Narrative Designer
• A writing sample
• Three games whose narrative design you enjoy
• Attach any relevant supporting documents – resume, CV, or portfolio
• Your location and timezone
• Your hourly rate and other contract requirements
• Contact information for two professional references

William Chyr Studio is an equal-opportunity employer committed to facilitating an inclusive environment for all team members. We encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

Application and Interview Process

We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and reaching out to select candidates for interviews. If you are selected for an interview, we will coordinate with you to set up a video call in order for us to get to know each other.