Looking Into Company Hierarchy and My Place in it

Useful links on games narrative

• Narrative in Video Games
• Designing Game Narrative
• What is a Narrative Designer?

Useful links on game design

• Getting a Job as a Games Artist
• How to Become a Video Game Artist
• How to Get a Job in Video Games: Concept Artist at Bethesda Softworks
• Becoming a Game Concept Artist

Company of Interest - Telltale Games

Telltale is an independent digital publisher started in 2004 by former LucasArts employees who were working on the now cancelled Sam & Max: Freelance Police game. Due to their experience in LucasArts' classic adventure games, Telltale specializes in episodic point-and-click adventure. Its business model revolves around episodic gaming and digital distribution. It's best known for titles such as The Walking Dead, The Wolf Among Us, Back To The Future, Jurassic Park, Sam & Max and Monkey Island. As can be seen, many of these licences are based on existing films, comic books and games.

Winner of numerous accolades, the studio is the recipient of over 80 Game of the Year Awards, Studio of the Year and other honors for The Walking Dead, a game series based on Robert Kirkman’s hit comic book. Telltale continues to expand its lineup with internationally recognized and acclaimed properties from partners such as DC Comics and others - yet to be announced - that will delight and excite gamers across the world. Telltale is located in Marin County, California, a short drive from San Francisco and the Northern California coast. It is a privately held company with no more than 200 employees.

Unfavourable review to working with Telltale Games.
History of Telltale Games

Pre-requisites for a job as a games writer with Telltale.

Essential Experience: 

• Five years of disciplined writing, either in a professional capacity or as a burgeoning writer with a large body of work. 
•  College degree preferred in screenwriting, creative writing, or similar; or equivalent professional experience 
• Critical understanding of games and interactivity. You must play video games. 
• Writing samples: Please submit at least two polished samples demonstrating mastery of narrative structure, character development and dialog. Screenplay format is required. Comedy and serious drama are both acceptable; send your best work. All samples must be attached in either PDF or MS Word format. Please do not cut and paste your work into the writing sample section. 

Useful Extras: 

• Actual experience writing specifically for games 
• Experience with tools such as game engines, non-linear video editing, Flash, etc. 
• Any exposure to computer programming 

Responsibilities: 

• Work with game designers in a writers’ room to create an effective narrative melded with good game design 
• Generate outlines, story treatments, character descriptions, casting documents, and other support materials 
• Create and collaborate in the creation of consistent characters, strong motivations, dramatic arcs, and meaningful story content during the development process 
• Write interactive scripts to accomplish all of the above while supporting gameplay needs. Fantastic dialog skills are a must.
• Revise and edit own scripts and those of other writers 
• Assist as needed with marketing and other company communications that require the written word 

Essential Skills: 

• Ability to craft compelling fictional stories across multiple genres 
• Knowledge of screenwriting and how to write for the camera 
• Understanding of how to use narrative events and game design to grow and impact characters 
• Ability to write snappy and engrossing dialog in different voices 
• Ability to work in the style of an existing intellectual property 
• Effective collaboration 
• Ability to respond to editorial feedback with comprehensive rewrites 
• Estimation of, and adherence to, deadlines 

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING – IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS, PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT A WRITING SAMPLE: By applying for the position and submitting any writing sample (the “Sample”) to Telltale, Inc. (“Telltale”), you understand and acknowledge that Telltale is constantly developing in-house ideas, formats, stories, concepts, artwork and the like (collectively, “Creative Elements”), and that many such Creative Elements developed by Telltale now or in the future may be similar to or identical to those contained in your Sample. You agree that Telltale will not be held liable for any such similarities and that Telltale’s use or development of Creative Elements similar to or identical with any material or elements (including Creative Elements) contained in the Sample shall not obligate Telltale to you in any manner. In connection with your agreement to these terms, you expressly waive any claims you may have against Telltale arising from or relating to your submission of the Sample.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work and accept new employment in the U.S. 
Telltale Games is an Equal Opportunity Employer and ADA compliant.