Narrative Systems Designer

Halo Studios is the developer of the award-winning Halo series of video games. As part of Xbox Game Studios, the Halo franchise encompasses games, television series, novels, comics, licensed collectibles, apparel, and more. We are looking for talented new voices to join our team to build the next generation of games and experiences in Halo’s beloved sci-fi universe.    

We are looking for a Narrative Systems Designer to join Halo Studios. Do you love Halo’s universe and lore and understand how to design and implement modern console/PC narrative systems? Do you closely collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to drive immersive, cohesive narrative experiences across gameplay, environments, and characters? Do you enjoy editing world triggers, Blueprints, and event states of combat chatter to punctuate key emotional beats? If so, the Halo team would love to speak with you about becoming our next Narrative Systems Designer!  

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond. 

Required qualifications: 

• Associate's Degree in Computer Science, Art, Writing, Behavioral Science, Game Design, or related field AND 4+ years experience in game development and design, systems design, content production, or related field

  • OR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Art, Writing, Behavioral Science, Data Science, Game Design, or related field AND 2+ years experience in game development and design, systems design, content production, or related field

  • OR equivalent experience.

• Previous experience implementing narrative systems with Unreal.

Other Requirements:  

• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements is required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to, the following specialized security screenings: 

• Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter. 

Preferred qualifications: 

• Associate's Degree in Art, Game Design, or related field AND 4+ years relevant internship/work experience (e.g., game development and design, systems design, content production) 

• OR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Art, Game Design, or related field AND 4+ years related work experience (e.g., game development and design, systems design, content production) 

• OR equivalent experience. 

• Have shipped at least 1 title released to consumers/shipped game. 

• Experience working with Unreal Engine Blueprints to implement narrative elements. 

• Comprehensive understanding of narrative game systems – especially in FPS and action genres combined with a demonstrated ability to identify, analyze, and rectify game design and systemic issues. 

Game Design IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $98,300 - $193,200 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $127,200 - $208,800 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay   

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until December 31, 2024.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.  We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

#gamingjobs #halo #halojobs 

• Collaborate with narrative writers, the audio team, level designers, and environment artists to define, prototype, iterate, and craft meaningful and compelling moments of incidental and environmental storytelling throughout the development lifecycle. 

• Create and collaborate on design documentation for all narrative experience vectors, capturing the experiential goals, tech considerations, implementation details, and working with User Research to test Narrative-focused flow and usability.  

• Lead the creative expansion and refinement of Halo’s narrative systems with an eye towards delivering deep and immersive experiences. 

• Implement in-engine systems and narrative elements via Unreal editor, Blueprints, data files, and prove out fundamental narrative channels (e.g. VO pipelines, dialog hooks, etc.).   

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with all development disciplines to ensure a best-in-industry production process that avoids silos and reinforces a unified product vision. 

• Be a partner with cross-disciplinary performance, user research, community, support, insights, and marketing teams to deliver high quality game systems that drive player excitement and engagement for the long run. 

• Be a consistent source of clarity, positive energy and an exemplar of Microsoft and Xbox values.