A Narrative Designer is a role for contemporary video game development first officially seen in 2006 when THQ

THQ

THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices...

 Canada dba Relic Entertainment

Relic Entertainment

Relic Entertainment is a Canadian game development company that specializes in 3D real-time strategy games and has released a number of unique PC games. Relic specializes in creative, visually appealing, and combat intense RTS games.-History:...

 began hiring for the role. Stephen Dinehart

Stephen Dinehart

Stephen Erin Dinehart IV is a designer, writer, teacher, and artist, best known for his work in video games, more specifically transmedia storytelling and interactive storytelling...

 wrote the job description in collaboration with publisher THQ

THQ

THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices...

. While the strict definition may vary from production to production, the core of this role is to design the narrative, to champion story and related development.