SUMMARY
Since the 2000s, I have deeply immersed myself in multiple facets of video games and entertainment, from development and production to public relations, journalism, book-writing, YouTubing, market research and more. In recent years, Embracer Group’s Zen Studios enabled me to demonstrate my narrative and game-writing chops, to rave reviews. Also, having worked for Marvel, Lucasfilm and Gazillion (Marvel Heroes)—even Zen (licensed Pinball FX tables)—I am no stranger to managing big-name brands. My talents have helped develop and promote numerous multimillion-selling titles.
SPECIALTIES: Game Writing and Narrative Design | Creative Direction | Worldbuilding | Editing | Game Evaluation | PR, Marketing and Social Media | Licensing & Brand Assurance | All Things “Geek”
SPECIALTIES: Game Writing and Narrative Design | Creative Direction | Worldbuilding | Editing | Game Evaluation | PR, Marketing and Social Media | Licensing & Brand Assurance | All Things “Geek”
HIGHLIGHTS
- Critical Praise for Writing RPGs from Zen Studios: Described as “engaging” (ScreenRant, Circus Electrique), “intriguing” (Gamers’ Temple, Dread Nautical), “solidly comedic” (Nintendo Life, CastleStorm II) and “confident” (GameSpot, Operencia: The Stolen Sun)
- Numerous Multimillion-Dollar Projects (and Plenty of Little Ones): Active role in the promotion and development of Zen, Marvel and Star Wars video games, from console blockbusters to small mobile apps—more than 40 titles total, and over 100 SKUs
- Represented Some of Pop Culture’s Biggest Brands (Marvel, Star Wars and Indiana Jones) through widely distributed press releases, social media, speaking to press, convention appearances, etc.
- Steward of the Marvel Brand: Cleared thousands of submissions relating to video games, either approving them or offering solutions on how to best address their faults
- Well Respected: More than 80 LinkedIn recommendations, nearly 6,000 Twitter followers, 8,000 YouTube subscribers, and placement in Scholastic’s Hot Jobs in Video Games alongside industry luminaries like Will Wright (The Sims); personally selected by Diablo creator David Brevik to publicize his one-man studio, Graybeard Games
- Heavily Published: Reviewed more than 200 games for major outlets, and previewed hundreds more; self-published and marketed two bestselling Kindle books about licensed video games
WORK EXPERIENCE
PAD AND PIXEL, LLC – Social Media Consultant | April 2024 – Present
Pad and Pixel is a premier videogame consultancy run by Brian Crecente (former EIC of Kotaku, cofounder of Polygon). I play a major role in the online retail social media channels for one of its biggest clients.
Pad and Pixel is a premier videogame consultancy run by Brian Crecente (former EIC of Kotaku, cofounder of Polygon). I play a major role in the online retail social media channels for one of its biggest clients.
- Executing social media posts spanning X/Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook -- more than 12 million followers, total
- Writing social posts that garner tens of thousands of likes, individually, on a regular basis (all-time high: 130K)
- Collaborating with marketing teams to best implement social into campaigns
- Copywriting storefront and newsletter copy seen by tens of millions of consumers
- Reviewing analytics for opportunities and improving execution
- Managing social calendar and ticketing in Asana
- Engaging with commenters where appropriate
Creative Director and Lead Writer | June 2018 – February 2023
- Wrote and shaped the lore/worldbuilding for RPGs: Circus Electrique, Operencia, CastleStorm II and Dread Nautical
- Contributed to various aspects of most Zen projects—not just development, but also PR and marketing
- Pitched game ideas within Zen, Saber Interactive and Embracer Group, as well as external IP holders
- Drafted and conceptualized 10 game trailers for 5 different games
- Enlisted voice talent and voice-directed their performances, both for in-game and promotional/trailer use
- Promoted games through in-depth interviews, podcast appearances and blog entries
- Led effective game demos, both to press (in person and online) and to the public at E3, Gamescom and PAX East
- Copywrote the About section for ZenStudios.com and was a writer and onscreen contributor for The Pinball Show
PR Consultant | August 2017 – May 2018 • Journalist | April 2017 – August 2017
- Spearheaded PR efforts for companies such as Zen Studios and Diablo creator David Brevik’s Graybeard Games, leading to stories at corporate and product levels (Pinball FX3, Out of Ammo on PlayStation VR, etc.)
- Implemented best practices to social/video/marketing initiatives and providing feedback to game concepts
- Wrote in-depth gaming- and comics-based feature stories for RollingStone.com and Marvel.com
Director of Research | December 2016 – March 2017
- Managed market research projects for and liaised with high-profile clients in the entertainment industry
- Generated reports based on qualitative and quantitative data
- Created online surveys
- Interviewed respondents for the purpose of market research
Director of Communications | February 2015 – November 2016
- Played a key role in company PR, marketing and social media efforts, mostly concerning Marvel Heroes
- Garnered continued support from top-tier outlets (IGN, Entertainment Weekly, Game Informer, GameSpot, ComicBook.com, etc.) and popular streamers, podcasters and YouTubers for a years-old game
- Conceptualized, directed and managed creative content for marketing, PR and social purposes (promotions, trailer concepts, art assets, Facebook/Twitter posts, etc.)
- Driven by analytics, posted to social media with unprecedented regularity and quality for the company, including brand new Instagram and Tumblr accounts
- Consulted on advertising strategies and content, and executed all ads rooted in social media
- Arranged for appearances at major conventions such as PAX, Gamescom, San Diego Comic Con, New York Comic Con, etc., often including personal panel appearances with an extensive, personally prepared presentation involved
- Collaborated with Marvel to ensure that all promotional content was in line with the company's own initiatives
- Communicated clearly and regularly to multiple fronts – internally, to press, to Marvel and to players themselves
- Worked with worldwide partners to ensure maximum global coverage
Creative Manager and Story Editor | October 2007 – July 2014
- Wrote and edited cutscene scripts, bios, in-game dialogue, mission descriptions, etc., sometimes to critical acclaim
- Cocreated brand new characters (e.g., Doctor Octopus 2099 and Hobgoblin 2099 in Shattered Dimensions) or new takes on classics (cross-species versions of Rhino, Scorpion, and other villains in The Amazing Spider-Man)
- Mastered the concept of actionable feedback—not just saying what needs to be fixed, but also suggesting how
- Collaborated with dev teams from Activision, Capcom, Sega, Warner Bros., Zen Studios, and more to create the most outstanding gaming experiences possible, always stressing the importance of story (even in pinball!)
- Managed the development progress of close to 100 individual products—as many as 10 at one time
- Approved and rejected Marvel IP-related content in licensed video games, big and small
- Critiqued all game content, from core gameplay mechanics to story and character
- Improved game content with suggested concepts for narrative implementation, plus new gameplay and features
- Assisted with voice direction for several AAA and AA projects, including legends like Nolan North
- Mentored direct reports who have gone on to lead Netflix and Gears of War: E-Day writing teams, run DC Comics’ games division, become a popular LEGO Master, develop games at NASA, create the cult hit Blaseball, and more
- Survived Robert McKee’s famously intense four-day story seminar (and loved every minute of it!)
Studio Publicist | January 2005 – September 2007
- Executed PR plans for three of the biggest Star Wars video games of all time, with a focus on the enthusiast press
- Collaborated with marketing to ensure that all plans were on message
- Organized assets for proper distribution among numerous outlets
- Served as “the voice of LucasArts,” writing effective press releases, feature stories and more
- Crafted story angles and other creative ideas
- Represented LucasArts at industry events such as E3, Star Wars Celebration and San Diego Comic-Con
- Contributed writing skills, game feedback and more to production and other departments whenever called upon
Freelancer/Consultant | September 2004 – January 2005
- Pitched feature ideas to prominent gaming magazines
- Wrote game-related reviews, previews and features for numerous prominent magazines and websites
- Consulted directly with video game companies about the quality of their upcoming releases
Reviews/Previews Editor | January 2000 – August 2004
- Wrote hundreds of articles, including reviews, previews, features, news stories and more
- Assigned reviews and previews to editors and freelancers
- Meticulously organized Reviews and Previews sections (2003-2004 and 2000-2003, respectively)
- Developed creative ways to present otherwise straightforward information
- Regularly covered industry events, from small preview junkets and release parties to conventions such as E3 and Star Wars Celebration
- Performed extensive work with celebrities (including R.E.M., Mark Hamill, Michelle Rodriguez, Stan Lee, Gin Blossoms, Barenaked Ladies, Todd McFarlane and more)
Writer/Editor | June 1998 – January 2000
- Reviewed and described approximately 400 video games from NES era to PlayStation
- Edited and wrote detailed character biographies for video game characters
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, Communications/Advertising
Minor: Business Administration
Minor: Business Administration