New Storytelling For A Diverse World
I'm a writer and narrative designer working across emotional games, games for change, the adaptation and evolution of stories moving to new mediums, and advocating for the development of diverse future storytellers.
Writing, Narrative Design and Direction
I started off as a freelancer, but now I run Curious Southerly - an interactive narrative house outsourcing to games for entertainment, games for change, XR and live interactive experiences.
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We pride ourselves on an accessible and collaborative approach, based on the craft, and that puts the player first.
I created The Forest Paths Method for Narrative Design based on the philosophy if collaboration and accessibility.
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It's a structural approach working beyond Western conventions to create sources of truth that can be easily understood by the whole team.
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It's the basis of all my work, and I'm proud to say it is being used in development and education around the world.
The Forest Paths Method For Narrative Design
Advocacy and Education
Teaching
I created and teach the Interactive and Immersive Writing subject for the National Institute for the Dramatic Art as part of the masters program.
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Workshops
I regularly run workshops on writing, narrative design and direction, working with organisations like the Australian Writers' Guild, national and state agencies, and New Zealand's Centre of Digital Excellence.
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Speaking
I also take the opportunity to inspire people through public speaking. Previously I've presented at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in USA, Games Connect Asia Pacific (GCAP), New Zealand Game Developers Conference, Freeplay Independent Games Festival, and Google’s Indie Games Accelerator in Singapore.
Advocacy
I'm on the interactive narrative and AI committees for the Australian Writers' Guild, as well as a member of AACTA and Writers Victoria, and I regularly have contact with state and national agencies.
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Much of this work is advocating for the need for greater education opportunities for people of all ages to become literate in interactive narrative.
About Me
A writer and narrative designer with a background in audience development and arts management. I've worked for indies in Berlin, AAA in Sweden, and am now based in Australia helping forward-thinking developers forge strong relationships with their audiences through stories, narrative systems and player care.
With assistance from Creative Victoria’s Creator’s Fund I also developed the Forest Paths Method of Narrative Design helping developers to discover the power of their own stories built on the design pillars of their projects away from Western conventions and with an understanding of player motivation beyond demographics and traditional models.
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Education:
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Master of Arts Management - RMIT
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Bachelor of Business - QUT
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Bachelor of Screen Production - Griffith University
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Advanced Diploma of Screen Development - Open Channel