The Corner of Story and Game

In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , returning guest Willem Delventhal joins us for our year-end conversation, looking back on what 2025 taught us and looking ahead to what it will take to thrive in 2026 as indie creators. Quick note up front: this episode was recorded at the start of the new year, and it’s coming out later than planned. That one is on us. Life got loud, timelines got...

In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , I sit down with Batuhan Gözlüklü for a conversation about quest design, narrative ownership, and what it means to earn creative control one decision at a time. We talk about how missions and objectives become the backbone of player experience, how narrative can stay present at every layer of development, and why “healthy escapism” might be one of t...

In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , we sit down with Kristi Eckert to talk about the thing that quietly solves (or breaks) narrative in development: communication. Kristi shares how story problems often start as people problems, and why collaboration, trust, and shared language across disciplines matter just as much as craft on the page. Together, we dig into what narrative designers...

In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , returning guest Brady Sadler joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about worldbuilding, creative identity, and what it looks like to grow into a maker who works across mediums. Brady has been on a prolific run with his novels, while also co-designing board games and helping launch a publishing company with his brother. Together, we explore how a...

In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , returning guest Ashley Poprik joins us for a candid, craft-focused conversation about how fanfiction, forums, and community storytelling can become real training grounds for professional narrative work. We talk about how writing inside existing worlds teaches voice, structure, collaboration, and feedback loops, and how those skills translate direct...

In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , we sit down with David Gallaher to talk about Creatures and Cocktails , an immersive Dungeons and Dragons experience built to feel welcoming, premium, and deeply communal. David shares how his background across games and comics shaped the way he thinks about “ramp up,” onboarding, and reducing lore overload so new players can jump in without feelin...

In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , I'm joined by Chris Tran - a narrative designer, esports leader, educator, and creative strategist - for a rich conversation about building a resilient career grounded in values, adaptability, and community. Chris shares how his professional journey, from law school to esports management, and eventually narrative design, has been guided by empa...

In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , returning guest Scott Rogers -- game designer, author, and educator -- joins us for a deep dive into the power of prototyping. From his roots in video games to his current focus on board game design, Scott shares how early testing and iteration drive creative clarity, strengthen pitches, and shape player experience. Together, we explore how functio...

In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , we sit down with Winter Mullenix and Tormod MacLean to explore what it really means to tell stories in open-world, player-driven spaces. Together, we dig into the challenges and opportunities of crafting narrative in sandbox MMOs, where story doesn’t come from scripted quests alone, but from the players themselves. Winter and Tormod share insights...

In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , we sit down with Sagar Beroshi , Principal Narrative Designer at The Chinese Room . Together, we unpack what it really means to write horror when you're working without a blockbuster budget, and why narrative constraints can be an unexpected ally. Sagar shares the realities of writing in a system where your cutscene might get cut, your VO might...

In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , returning guest Joshua Rubin, veteran narrative designer ( Destiny , Assassin’s Creed , The Walking Dead , Telltale ), joins us to unpack the chaos, creativity, and continuity of transmedia worldbuilding. We dive into: 🧩 Fractured storytelling across Discord, comics, and AAA games 📚 Building lore from microfiction to macro-worlds ✍️ His Dead Ghos...

In a world of expansive IPs, player agency, and multi-format storytelling, how do you keep a narrative consistent without strangling its potential? This week on The Corner of Story and Game , we sit down with Jesse Scoble, a veteran narrative designer and worldbuilder whose career spans Assassin’s Creed , Hyper Scape , City of Heroes , and even TTRPGs and now comics! We explore the art and craft o...

This week on The Corner of Story and Game , I’m joined by Willem Delventhal, game designer, narrative advocate, and founder of The Indie Game Academy . Together we dive into the practical and philosophical challenges facing new studios as they plan and scope their first game ... with narrative fully in the picture. We explore: The dangers of building too big, too soon. When (and how) to bring narr...

In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , we explore how music moves the narrative needle. Composer Nikita Malko joins us to discuss the vital, often invisible role music plays in shaping the player’s emotional journey. From his early metal roots to scoring indie and AA video games like Volgarr the Viking II and Inn Keeper , Nikita shares how soundtracks are more than just background, they...

In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , acclaimed author and narrative designer Graham McNeill takes us inside the creative process of working within some of the most iconic IPs in games and fiction. From Warhammer 40K and StarCraft to Warhammer: Age of Sigmar and beyond, Graham shares how limitations from established worlds can spark unexpected creativity, and why “staying true” doesn’t...

What happens when you have to build an entire world on the spot? In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , we sit down with Jesse Theiler , the creator behind The Dungeon Cocktail Experience , to explore the art of worldbuilding in real time. Jesse shares how his background in improv and D&D has shaped his approach to storytelling, including how he engages players in collaborative narr...

When you think of game writing, you might picture dialogue, cutscenes, and lore text. But what about the writing players never see? The systems, character briefs, and background details that shape how we feel and play without ever showing up on screen? In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , narrative designer and returning guest Richard Dansky joins us to break down the “invisible” side...

🎙 In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , narrative designer and indie developer Ian Lynch joins us to explore the power of environmental storytelling and quest design, and how these tools can create deeply personal player experiences. Drawing on his work in narrative design, systems thinking, and indie studio leadership, Ian guides us through the invisible art of storytelling, exploring...

🎙 In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , game designer, educator, and Latinx in Gaming co-founder Elaine Gómez joins us to explore a vital and evolving question in the industry: How do we build inclusion into the design of games - mechanically, narratively, and structurally? Drawing from her extensive work in both AAA and indie spaces, Elaine breaks down how inclusive game design goes b...

🎙 In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , award-winning writer and game designer Matt Forbeck joins us once more. This time, to explore what levelling systems and rulebooks can teach us about narrative design, especially when it comes to onboarding players in video games. Matt draws from decades of experience writing novels, tabletop RPGs, and game scripts to unpack how mechanics and pro...

🎙 In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , award-winning author, storyteller, and TTRPG writer Marie Bilodeau joins us to explore a foundational but often overlooked question in narrative design: How do you take something deeply personal and shape it into a story that connects with a broader audience, especially in games? Marie shares lessons from her career writing speculative fiction, p...

In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , writer, educator, and cross-media storyteller David Gallaher joins us to explore one of the most nuanced challenges in narrative design: how to create emotionally grounded characters that hold up, regardless of the medium. David draws from his work on comics like High Moon and The Only Living Boy , as well as his narrative leadership on games like...

In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , we welcome back the endlessly creative Ryan Omega, who is a producer, performer, LARP designer, and now the mastermind behind Taskmaster LA . But this isn’t just a behind-the-scenes on a fan-made panel show. It’s a deep dive into what it means to design games for performance , and the unique role that playtesting for watchability plays in that proc...

In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , we welcome LARP designer, writer, and educator Aaron Vanek to explore how live-action role-playing techniques can enrich traditional tabletop RPGs and narrative game design. Aaron walks us through the foundations of LARP, its philosophical pillars, and how these ideas translate into immersive storytelling experiences. From seance room horror sessio...

What does it take to add something meaningful to a world that millions already hold close to their hearts? In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , host Gerald Ford welcomes back the always insightful Jim Zub . Jim is a comic writer, narrative designer, and longtime steward of iconic characters across franchises like Conan the Barbarian , Dungeons & Dragons , Avengers , and more. Toge...