The Corner of Story and Game

What does it really mean to be a narrative designer in today’s game industry, and how is that role evolving to meet the moment? In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , we are joined by game writer and narrative designer Ashley Poprik , whose work spans iconic titles like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 , and now continues at Bungie on Destiny 2 . Together, we explore...

What does it mean to design with intention,and how do you build games that are not just fun, but deeply resonant? In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , I sit down with longtime game designer Andy Ashcraft to explore how experience, values, and player psychology shape the games we make. With decades in the industry and a passion for participatory design, Andy brings a rich perspective o...

How do you keep a character feeling human when players can change everything? In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , I am joined by veteran narrative designer Emily Grace Buck for a masterclass in crafting emotionally authentic character arcs within branching RPG narratives. With experience spanning Telltale Games, EA DICE, and a lifetime in storytelling, Emily shares the tools, psychol...

In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , we dig into the gentle rhythm and thoughtful design of idle games with indie game developer Ayla Derrick . As the founder of Cave Bear Games, a studio built entirely by junior developers, Ayla brings a fresh and inclusive perspective to the gaming landscape. We explore Plantasia , Cave Bear’s debut title, a cozy solarpunk idle game that blends envi...

In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , I welcome back narrative designer and comic book writer Kelly Bender for a deep-dive into one of the most crucial skills in storytelling: finding your voice, and your characters' voices! Kelly shares stories from his early days running creative programs for kids, to building dynamic characters in digital games and comics. Whether you’re a narra...

In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , I sit down with Whitney Beltrán , a talented narrative designer and writer with deep expertise in myth-inspired storytelling. We dive into the fascinating intersection of mythology and games , exploring how mythic narratives resonate with players on a psychological level. Whitney shares insights on how myths serve as mirrors for self-discovery, per...

In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , we return to our exploration of the Lenses of Game Design , looking at the balance between two critical perspectives - Imagination and Elegance . Joining me is J. Isaac Gadient , a talented game designer whose work bridges narrative design, gameplay mechanics, and immersive world-building . Together, we break down how Imagination fuels creativity a...

In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , we’re joined by Christie Golden , a master of Transmedia Storytelling . Christie has penned some of the most beloved narratives in World of Warcraft , Star Wars , and Halo , and in this episode, she shares her expertise in crafting stories that span across games, books, and other forms of media. We explore how interconnected worlds can deepen fan e...

In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , we’re diving deep into environmental storytelling with game design veteran Will Shen. Will, a lead designer at Unknown Worlds Entertainment, shares his wealth of experience in open-world narrative design, from his time working on Starfield and Skyrim to his current role. We explore how the environment itself can tell a story, adding layers of depth...

How can games make us feel something real ? In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , we sit down with Kelly Bender , Lead Narrative Designer, to explore the powerful fusion of storytelling and gameplay mechanics . From high-stakes boss battles to subtle emotional beats, we break down how narrative and game design can work together to create unforgettable player experiences. Kelly shares i...

How do you design a game where the player's choices truly shape the story? In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game , we sit down with Ryan Kaufman , veteran narrative designer behind The Walking Dead and The Wolf Among Us , to break down the mechanics of player-driven storytelling . We discuss: 🔥 The challenges of balancing player agency and narrative structure 🧠 How theme and tone s...

We're back with Season Three ! In this season opener, we dive deep into the relationship between UI/UX design and storytelling with Kat Craig , a talented UI/UX designer who has contributed to some major titles in the gaming world. Kat walks us through her career journey—from graphic design to breaking into the gaming industry—and shares how the user interface and user experience impact player...

🎙️ The Wizard and His Crystal Ball: Looking Ahead to 2025 In the season finale of The Corner of Story and Game , we welcome back Willem Delventhal, the energetic founder of the Indie Game Academy. With 2025 on the horizon, Willem unveils his crystal ball to explore emerging trends in the gaming world, including the rise of AAA-lite titles, the future of user-generated content (UGC), and the push f...

🎲 The Dice Decide 🎥 This week, Joseph Adams joins us to dive into the art of storytelling in tabletop role-playing games. As the creator of The Dice Decide , a cinematic D&D actual-play series, Joe shares his journey from cinematographer to Dungeon Master and community builder. We explore: How Joe combined his passion for filmmaking and TTRPGs. The creative process behind crafting immersive...

Welcome back, to The Corner of Story and Game . In this episode we chat about game design philosophy with Lauren Bond , Senior Narrative Game Designer at Wizards of the Coast. We explore two fascinating lenses from Jesse Schell's The Art of Game Design : the Lens of Expected Value and the Lens of Chance. Lauren shares how these lenses influence her approach to worldbuilding, how randomness can enh...

Welcome back to The Corner of Story and Game. In this episode, we dive deep into the power of curiosity with Dan Felder , Game Design Director at Sky Castle Studios. With a rich career spanning Riot Games , Blizzard , and EA , Dan shares how curiosity serves as the cornerstone of effective game design and storytelling. From exploring how curiosity keeps players engaged to mastering the balance bet...

Welcome back to The Corner of Story and Game. In this episode, we dive deep into the intersection of storytelling, game development, and marketing with the talented Galen Scorer, a seasoned expert in crafting compelling narratives that resonate with players. Galen shares insights on why marketing should be integrated into the development process from the very beginning, how to connect with your au...

Welcome back to The Corner of Story and Game. In this episode, we dive deep into the complexities of rewards and punishments in gameplay design with Alexander Brazie. From the grand scale of progression loops to the nuanced moment-to-moment decision-making, Alex shares insights into how players’ intrinsic and extrinsic motivations drive their engagement and mastery in games. We explore: The anatom...

Welcome back to The Corner of Story and Game. In this episode, we sit down with Greg Tito, an author, screenwriter, and producer who served as Communications Manager for Dungeons & Dragons and remains a key figure in live-streamed tabletop gaming. Greg has a unique perspective on blending live events, storytelling, and the gaming experience, making this conversation a must-listen for fans of b...

Welcome back to The Corner of Story and Game. In this episode we sit down with Jason Kingsley, co-founder of Rebellion Developments and an accomplished storyteller with a deep passion for history. Jason’s unique approach to game design blends historical research with narrative creativity. In this episode: - How historical moments and details inspire compelling narratives. - The balance between his...

Welcome back to The Corner of Story and Game ! In this episode I welcome back Richard Dansky, a prolific storyteller whose career spans video game narrative design, tabletop RPGs, and fiction writing. With contributions to iconic franchises like The Division , Splinter Cell , and Rainbow Six , and as the mastermind behind the 20th-anniversary edition of Wraith: The Oblivion , Richard brings unpara...

Welcome back to The Corner of Story and Game ! In this episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Alina Pete —Canadian author, illustrator, game designer, and storyteller. Alina’s work masterfully blends Indigenous myths with modern narratives, creating a fresh perspective on storytelling that’s both rooted in tradition and forward-looking. What We Discuss: 🌟 The concept of Indigenous Futurism : What...

Welcome back to The Corner of Story and Game ! In this episode, we dive into the art of creating unforgettable NPCs (Non-Player Characters) with two-time Emmy Award-winning writer Cam Baity . With a rich career spanning animation, television, and video games—including work on Team America , SpongeBob SquarePants , and Astroneer —Cam shares his insights into building characters that resonate deeply...

Welcome back to The Corner of Story and Game ! This time around, I get to sit down and chat with the legendary Joe Morrissey , a narrative design veteran with a career spanning iconic studios like Rockstar Games, Blizzard, and Sucker Punch. Known for his work on groundbreaking titles such as Diablo II , Infamous: Second Son , and Ghost of Tsushima , Joe dives deep into the art of crafting unforget...

Welcome back to The Corner of Story and Game ! This time around, we are joined by John Ryan, an accomplished game writer and narrative designer. With extensive experience in the gaming industry, John brings invaluable insights into what it takes to build a successful writing career in game development. We'll explore the importance of strong writing foundations, the significance of curiosity in und...