As a game designer and educator, I am interested in how games can be designed around meaningful player experiences. My specialist area is narrative design for video games, particularly how interactive storytelling, game writing, worldbuilding, character development, dialogue systems, and narrative theory shape the way players engage with games.
My work also draws on a broad understanding of game design practice, including gameplay, levels, UI and UX, systems, economy, XR, tabletop, and technical design. This multidisciplinary background helps me support students in developing well-rounded design skills while also encouraging them to discover their own specialist routes within games.
I am an alumnus of the University, having completed both my undergraduate and master’s degrees at Staffs before being awarded a PhD scholarship. My doctoral research explored narrative design in role-playing games, with a focus on natural language interaction with non-player characters and how conversational systems can influence player agency and immersion in with story.
Alongside teaching, I work closely with games studios across the UK to create opportunities for students to connect with industry. This includes organising guest talks, networking events, portfolio activities, and one-to-one mentoring through the Games Industry Mentorship Initiative, helping students build confidence, professional awareness, and industry connections.
Professional memberships and activities
- Education Advisor for The Independent Game Developers' Association (TIGA)
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
Academic qualifications
- PhD, ‘Developing Narrative Design in Role-Playing Games with Natural Language Interaction for Non-Player Characters’, University of Staffordshire
- MSc in 3D Computer Games Design, University of Staffordshire
- Postgraduate Certificate in Higher and Professional Education, University of Staffordshire
- BEng (Hons) Computer Gameplay Design and Production, University of Staffordshire
Expertise
- Games Design
- Narrative Game Design
- Interactive Storytelling
- Game Writing
- Worldbuilding
- Character Development
- Dialogue Systems
- Player Experience
- Gameplay Design
- Level Design
- User Experience Design
- Technical Design
- Unreal Engine
Research interests
- Narrative Design for Video Games
- Interactive Storytelling
- Player Agency and Choice
- Natural Language Interaction with NPCs
- Conversational NPCs and Dialogue Systems
- Embedded and Emergent Storytelling
- Worldbuilding and Lore
- Character Development
- Environmental Storytelling
- Narratology and Narrative Theory
- Player Experience and Immersion
- Games Education
Grants
Innovate UK Smart Grants: January 2022
- Grant #: 10034423
- Name of Funding Organization: Innovate UK
- Amount Awarded: £500,000 for the project - £100,000 for University of Staffordshire
- Period of Grant Award: September 2022 - August 2023
- Title of Project: The Application of RichCast for Education and Serious Games.
- Role on Project: PI for University of Staffordshire
In partnership with Panivox, this project investigated cultural development prospects using innovative interactive storytelling software for natural language interaction. This software application is known as RichCast. This included researching potential serious games applications for culture and heritage, healthcare, finance, climate change, and more. The research aimed to reveal current workable solutions for tackling problems, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and proposing development recommendation reports that drive RichCast towards being the most viable solution for natural language storytelling. Content development cycles tested the solution and its value for the previously mentioned cultural development.
Enterprise and commercial interests
My commercial and enterprise work focuses on strengthening the relationship between games education and the UK games industry. I founded the Games Industry Mentorship Initiative, a six-month programme that connects students with professional game developers for structured one-to-one mentoring based on their discipline, specialism, and career aspirations.
Through the initiative, students receive guidance on portfolios, professional practice, networking, and industry expectations, while studios gain a meaningful way to engage with emerging graduate talent. I also work with industry partners to organise guest lectures, networking opportunities, and employability-focused events.
My wider enterprise activity includes representing Staffordshire as a game designer in the nationally recognised Tranzfuser game development competition, as well as writing for Game Developer (formerly Gamasutra) where my featured writing has been used to inform game development teaching at other universities.
Teaching
I am the module leader for ‘Narrative Design for Games’, ‘Interactive Storytelling’, ‘Pre-Production for Gameplay Designers’, and ‘Rapid Games Design’.
I have also been an instructor on 'Systems Design for Games', 'Advanced Game Design & Research', and 'Experimental Games Production' modules.
Postgraduate supervision
I supervise undergraduate and master’s students for their dissertations and final year projects.