Overview:

This position is for Kito Kato Games, a Purple Puppet partner.
Equity-Based Role – Story-Driven Indie Game in Development‍

Are you a narrative designer or writer who dreams of helping shape a unique, story-first indie game from the ground up?
I’m looking for a creative partner to collaborate long-term on a deeply narrative detective game currently in early development.

This is not a freelance contract — it’s a core creative role for someone who’s excited to invest passion and time into a shared vision, in exchange for sweat equity and future rewards. You’ll be working alongside me (an experienced game developer and studio founder) to co-develop the story, characters, dialogue, and narrative systems.

About the Project:

The game is a narrative-rich, character-driven detective experience with a playful twist and a distinctive setting. It blends mystery, emotion, and humor — think character-first writing, morally complex cases, and a game world with just enough weirdness to stand out.

It’s currently in prototyping, with strong momentum and early funding support. The core team includes seasoned professionals in art, animation, and tech. We now need the right narrative voice to shape the heart of the game.

What You’ll Do:

- Collaborate on story structure, character arcs, and case-based narrative progression
- Write dialogue, environmental text, and branching narrative content
- Help define the game’s tone, lore, and thematic focus
- Contribute to narrative systems that support replayability and choice
- Be an equal creative voice in shaping the long-term direction of the game

You Might Be a Great Fit If You…

- Have experience in game writing, screenwriting, or narrative design (or a strong portfolio in fiction)
- Are excited by offbeat, character-driven storytelling
- Want to be creatively invested — not just hired, but in it for the long run
- Can commit time weekly to push the project forward, even if part-time
- Love collaborating in a small, passionate team environment
- Are open to starting under NDA before learning full project details

Required Cultural Fluency:

We’re looking for someone who gets the tonal space we’re playing in. You should be creatively energized by:
- Terry Pratchett’s Discworld – especially the blend of satire, sincerity, and absurdity
- Classic 1940s Hollywood noir, like Double Indemnity and Sunset Boulevard
- Dark absurdist comedy shows, such as What We Do in the Shadows

If those references excite you — and you’re already imagining how to channel that spirit into a game — we want to hear from you.

Cultural Fluency:

- A long-term creative partnership with equity/revenue share
- Full creative influence over narrative direction
- A seat at the table on a game designed to stand out
- A clear development roadmap and experienced support team