IC Forum Archive

Showtime · Posts: 49

In case you're wondering what Relic does, they're known best for the Warhammer 40k based Dawn of War RTS's and the recent Company of Heroes game. Located in the middle of downtown Vancouver BC, right across from a Skytrain station that takes you mostly where you would ever want to be, the office is a work of convenience. At Relic, carbonated beverages are also provided free of charge.

I remember having some great discussions here in the past with some of you. This job may be right up your alley. Apply from the 'Careers' tab on our website. Details below:

Narrative Designer

Open Date: Sep 26, 2006
Close Date: Dec 29, 2006

Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Category: Game Design

OBJECTIVE
The Narrative Designer will focus on ensuring that the key elements of
the player experience associated with story and story telling devices,
script and speech are dynamic, exciting and compelling. Working
collaboratively with other design oriented team members, the Narrative
Designer will be the primary contact with external writing resources
for the duration of a production, and will be responsible in ensuring
we get the most out of those external resources.

RESPONSIBILITIES

* Act as the champion of the story, script and speech for the product
* Act as the central resource for all things narrative related, as well as write content and edit copy
* Apply and adapt externally written materials, as a representative of that writer’s story vision, as it applies to the game
* Understand story requirements and deliver on ultimate story/script goals
* Manage own schedule to accommodate the deliverables of each project and propose solutions for conflicts that arise
* Edit, compile and develop outlines, narrative synopses, treatments and script content and be responsible for revision and approval submission
* Assembles and edits prototype story components such as storyboard animatics, ripomatics, sound and music
* Conduct research to obtain factual background information relevant to story/design goals
* Work with external writing resources to help translate their material to become game relevant, as well as translate game concepts to external writers
* Work with the sound department on emotional tone of the sound design, including music selection
* Articulate industry trends, innovative solutions and cutting edge styles that meet the goals of each project
* Support/assist Producer and Design team in other duties, as required.

REQUIREMENTS

* Proven ability to provide content across a full array of interactive media platforms including PC and mobile.
* Understanding of the balance between narratological and ludological theory in computer games and proven ability in the integration of story and game play into finished software product.
* Exceptional writing ability and ability to develop visual theory into production-ready concepts as well as logical and physical specifications for interactive media software products
* Understanding of the theory of, and experience in, game design including the use of sound, animation, graphics and special effects software to maximize game play experience.
* Comprehensive production experience in the development of interactive media software products and web sites

TOLLMASTER · Posts: 1977

I do hope that I am not the only one slightly disturbed that Relic, the creators of Homeworld 1 and 2, are looking for a Narrative Developer.

Homeworld's concept (RTS in space) could have been the first bulleted marketing point, and the only one, and done well. But they backed up their "RTS in space!" with a backstory that actually managed to be interesting backstory (and not a cribbed version of the Lord of the Rings books I AM LOOKING AT A RTS-TURNED-MMORPG FRANCHISE HERE OK) that actually motivated you beyond "I can click things...IN THREE DEE."

Well, that, and their innovative space combat concepts, but I'm sure all real gamers play games for story, not gameplay.

For those of you looking for a Toupslike one liner: This is like William Shakespeare putting an ad out to right his plays, because he doesn't feel like he's up to it anymore and wants to concentrate on costumes.

Psiga · Posts: 3990

Some people say that Shakespeare did not actually write his own plays. So.

TOLLMASTER · Posts: 1977

Psiga wrote:

Some people say that Shakespeare did not actually write his own plays. So.

I've always felt that that was just English otaku looking for something else to concentrate upon. Kind of like how anime otaku have linked depression (which is, essentially, an otaku disease) to lots of characters dying in series. In the old days the only successful anime otaku writers would have to have the consumption or something.

Basically, Shakespeare was around at a time where "copyright" wasn't much of a right, and people cribbed from each others' work all the time. So if Shakespeare's stuff was similar to other stuff, it's kind obvious why. And there just isn't enough records left behind by the man to make any kind of determination of ghost writing.

Psiga · Posts: 3990

~GHOST WRITERRR~

Krabjuice · Posts: 114

Guys, this is my dream job ;_;

dhex · Posts: 2963

Hot Stott Bot · Posts: 2097

TOLLMASTER wrote:

I do hope that I am not the only one slightly disturbed that Relic, the creators of Homeworld 1 and 2, are looking for a Narrative Developer.

Homeworld's concept (RTS in space) could have been the first bulleted marketing point, and the only one, and done well. But they backed up their "RTS in space!" with a backstory that actually managed to be interesting backstory (and not a cribbed version of the Lord of the Rings books I AM LOOKING AT A RTS-TURNED-MMORPG FRANCHISE HERE OK) that actually motivated you beyond "I can click things...IN THREE DEE."

Well, that, and their innovative space combat concepts, but I'm sure all real gamers play games for story, not gameplay.

For those of you looking for a Toupslike one liner: This is like William Shakespeare putting an ad out to right his plays, because he doesn't feel like he's up to it anymore and wants to concentrate on costumes.

TOLLMASTER, that's not how it works.

Showtime · Posts: 49

They've actually never had a Narrative Designer, for any of their games. Some content was outsourced, but many were created just by the Single Player Designers themselves. It's a small company, and they aim to keep it that way; most are ex-EA... you get the idea.

If you've played the DoW games, you can see that the story driving elements can use a bit more polish when the only narrative vehicle is betrayal... again.

So there you go.

Mr. Business · Posts: 1530

It's the game design dream job: a game design job that requires no actual game development skills.

FortNinety · Posts: 4591

Mr. Business wrote:

It's the game design dream job: a game design job that requires no actual game development skills.

Yeah, those are hard to come by. Hence why I haven't worked full-time in five years.

Mister Toups · Posts: 4943

Man I was reading this with great interest until I got to that last bullet point:

extralife · Posts: 3316

Man, this is like the perfect job for me. Too bad they want applicants to have done stuff before, as if most companies have jobs with descriptions akin to "be the game theorist on our team, set your own schedule and piss off the talented members of the team at your leisure."

TOLLMASTER · Posts: 1977

Showtime wrote:

They've actually never had a Narrative Designer, for any of their games. Some content was outsourced, but many were created just by the Single Player Designers themselves. It's a small company, and they aim to keep it that way; most are ex-EA... you get the idea.

If you've played the DoW games, you can see that the story driving elements can use a bit more polish when the only narrative vehicle is betrayal... again.

So there you go.

Hmm.

But the Dawn of War games took place in someone else's universe. A richly detailed one, at that, given that the original story was just an excuse for humans to shoot orcs with lasers in space, and grew from there. I'm sure any company would have trouble shifting gears from "battle for civilization" to "local conflict in a large, meaningless, thousand-year-old war(s)."

But yes, I see your point, and appreciate the response.

Showtime · Posts: 49

I wouldn't be posting this if I didn't think some of you had IT.

So don't get hung up on one or two qualifications.

Just apply.

If we get some shmuck who went to Mr. Beasley's Video Game Design University in Suite 104A on the 5th floor of a Skid Row housing project I'm going to be upset at you.

Especially Extralife.

extralife · Posts: 3316

Problem is, the dude that went to Mr. Beasely's School of Shit has one thing to put on his resume, whereas I have zero things. Therefore he wins.

Showtime · Posts: 49

You guys are writers... so write.

LegatoB · Posts: 1546

It's not like you girls really have anything to lose by applying, even if you're not sure you're fully qualified. The worst thing that can happen is they say no. Take the initiative!

TOLLMASTER · Posts: 1977

LegatoB wrote:

It's not like you girls really have anything to lose by applying, even if you're not sure you're fully qualified. The worst thing that can happen is they say no. Take the initiative!

I would apply, but I'm pretty sure that just because "able to leave house on consistent basis" isn't under the requirements section doesn't mean it's not a requirement.

Someone tell internisus, though. I think that would be relatively awesome. Not Doctor Who and Bill and Ted having a fight through time/space awesome, but at least Spiderman and Storm having a child together and getting a supermutant baby awesome.

extralife · Posts: 3316

LegatoB wrote:

It's not like you girls really have anything to lose by applying, even if you're not sure you're fully qualified. The worst thing that can happen is they say no. Take the initiative!

This is correct, and why I might yet give it a shot.

Hot Stott Bot · Posts: 2097

But guys, what if you get one of those funny Canadian accents?

digi · Posts: 25

Hot Stott Bot wrote:

But guys, what if you get one of those funny Canadian accents?

Let me say here for the record that there is nothing funny about them.

Also, I never started hearing Canadians here say "eh" until an American staying with me started asking where all the people who say 'eh' all the time are.

Wilkes · Posts: 1603

I'm going to apply for this because no one here is really qualified and the guy posted it for a reason I guess.

I mean, hell.

extralife · Posts: 3316

Wilkes lets have a spirited competition for this position.

George · Posts: 1656

I should probably apply for this. I've been a game tester and a mod designer, those could both be spun as "production experience."

My real name's Stephen Ebrey, in case you have any influence over who gets chosen. Though if you pick extralife instead of me I will still love you. Extralife with a good job would be almost as amazing as extralife with a lesbian.

Rud13 · Posts: 3277

dhex wrote:

Some people say that Shakespeare did not actually write his own plays. So.

it's the lit equivalent of "han shot first."

What?

extralife · Posts: 3316

The problem here is they want me to list things I've done and things I'm good at. I've done nothing; I'm not all that great at anything. Also, I have no resume or "previous job titles." Maybe I can just say I like hockey and be done with it? Would that work?

Wilkes · Posts: 1603

extralife wrote:

The problem here is they want me to list things I've done and things I'm good at. I've done nothing; I'm not all that great at anything. Also, I have no resume or "previous job titles." Maybe I can just say I like hockey and be done with it? Would that work?

maybe use the above post in quotes.

BEIGE · Posts: 208

Though I'm not in a position to apply for this job (though, like many of you have mentioned, it is my dream job,) I would like to know more on how this narrative designer fits in the grand scheme of things. What kind of qualities are you looking for in someone whose job it is to ensure the narrative is represented properly in the gameplay? What sort of stories and games to Relic look to as examples? I mean, you all made Homeworld, I'm surprised you need someone to do this!

This is more for my own curiousity about how The Real World works in this regard, but I'm sure others are interested as well, because they want the job :p

if only I could apply :(

Hot Stott Bot · Posts: 2097

George wrote:

I should probably apply for this. I've been a game tester and a mod designer, those could both be spun as "production experience."

I don't think you really need to "spin them". I'm pretty sure when they say, "production experience," that's what they mean.

Adilegian · Posts: 124

Rud13 wrote:

dhex wrote:

Some people say that Shakespeare did not actually write his own plays. So.

it's the lit equivalent of "han shot first."

What?

I think dhex means that both arguments are pretty pointless.

Whether or not Han shot first, people still like Star Wars. Whether or not Wililam Shakespeare wrote all the plays attributed to Shakespeare, people still like Shakespeare.

The debate is the kind of thing that a lot of literary academics like to use as a way of perpetuating mostly useless publishing careers. The majority of English departments require a certain amount of academic publication in order for those professors to hold their posts, so it's somewhat understandable that the debate exists.

Star Wars nerds have less of an excuse. They're in it for the principle.

TOLLMASTER · Posts: 1977

BEIGE wrote:

Though I'm not in a position to apply for this job (though, like many of you have mentioned, it is my dream job,) I would like to know more on how this narrative designer fits in the grand scheme of things. What kind of qualities are you looking for in someone whose job it is to ensure the narrative is represented properly in the gameplay? What sort of stories and games to Relic look to as examples? I mean, you all made Homeworld, I'm surprised you need someone to do this!

This is more for my own curiousity about how The Real World works in this regard, but I'm sure others are interested as well, because they want the job :p

if only I could apply :(

Yeah I want to know what your actual job is, because unless it's something critically important, like you're the guy who's stopping the Earth from plunging into a black hole or something, you need to be doing this.

When you talk in #ncp, I have trouble discerning whether you are talking about video games, or an alternate dimension you found in your backyard while gardening (I heard this is how Miyamoto came up with Pikmin). You love this kind of thing.

internisus · Posts: 961

I AM PERFECT FOR THIS

but i am not in vancouver bc

extralife · Posts: 3316

You could move though. I hear nothing but great things about Vancouver even though I hate their hockey team.

George · Posts: 1656

As a Seattlite, I can tell you guys that Seattle/Vancouver's weather is not for everyone. Not seeing the sun for 6 months doesn't bother some people, but causes depression in others. I definitely feel the effects and would like to get out of the area, but if this job would make it worthwhile to stay. At least I can legally drink in Canada; booze is another way to cure depression.

Gideon Zhi · Posts: 118

This sounds very interesting. I might just apply for it.

BEIGE · Posts: 208

TOLLMASTER wrote:

BEIGE wrote:

Though I'm not in a position to apply for this job (though, like many of you have mentioned, it is my dream job,) I would like to know more on how this narrative designer fits in the grand scheme of things. What kind of qualities are you looking for in someone whose job it is to ensure the narrative is represented properly in the gameplay? What sort of stories and games to Relic look to as examples? I mean, you all made Homeworld, I'm surprised you need someone to do this!

This is more for my own curiousity about how The Real World works in this regard, but I'm sure others are interested as well, because they want the job :p

if only I could apply :(

Yeah I want to know what your actual job is, because unless it's something critically important, like you're the guy who's stopping the Earth from plunging into a black hole or something, you need to be doing this.

When you talk in #ncp, I have trouble discerning whether you are talking about video games, or an alternate dimension you found in your backyard while gardening (I heard this is how Miyamoto came up with Pikmin). You love this kind of thing.

This is true. But I have... prior obligations. Not as crucial as preventing the Earth from plunging into a black hole, but still shit I can't get out of.

Also, though your description of #ncp is accurate, I'm not sure whether it's a compliment or not.

skonrad · Posts: 76

Vancouver isn't for everyone, but I came here expecting to hate it and so far I don't?

Mr. Business · Posts: 1530

Gideon Zhi wrote:

This sounds very interesting. I might just apply for it.

You don't count, man; you have actual skills!

internisus · Posts: 961

I don't really think that I have a realistic chance at being accepted for this role, but I suppose that I will make a real effort in applying nonetheless. It really is a dream job, and I've certainly been focused on the theory of narrative in games in most of my conversations on ic, so maybe I can find a good way to present myself in this capacity. So, I'll try for it as if it were within my reach, and maybe I'll be surprised, or at least gain some perspective in the process.