Hi, I’m Anna, a narrative designer and game writer who specializes in branching narratives, psychological storytelling, and cross-cultural worldbuilding. I collaborate with indie studios around the world, drawing on two masters and 11+ years of international experience to craft immersive, character-driven experiences. I thrive in remote, multicultural teams and love turning complex ideas into playable, emotionally engaging stories. I’m passionate about data-driven storytelling, player choice, and the art of atmosphere. From live-action sequences to mobile mystery games, I aim to create accessible, resonant experiences for diverse audiences while helping teams grow through collaborative, feedback-rich processes.…

Anna Abdykerimova

PRO
5.0 (3 reviews)

Hi, I’m Anna, a narrative designer and game writer who specializes in branching narratives, psychological storytelling, and cross-cultural worldbuilding. I collaborate with indie studios around the world, drawing on two masters and 11+ years of international experience to craft immersive, character-driven experiences. I thrive in remote, multicultural teams and love turning complex ideas into playable, emotionally engaging stories. I’m passionate about data-driven storytelling, player choice, and the art of atmosphere. From live-action sequences to mobile mystery games, I aim to create accessible, resonant experiences for diverse audiences while helping teams grow through collaborative, feedback-rich processes.…

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Anna, a narrative designer and game writer who specializes in branching narratives, psychological storytelling, and cross-cultural worldbuilding. I collaborate with indie studios around the world, drawing on two masters and 11+ years of international experience to craft immersive, character-driven experiences. I thrive in remote, multicultural teams and love turning complex ideas into playable, emotionally engaging stories.

I’m passionate about data-driven storytelling, player choice, and the art of atmosphere. From live-action sequences to mobile mystery games, I aim to create accessible, resonant experiences for diverse audiences while helping teams grow through collaborative, feedback-rich processes.

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Language

English
Fluent
French
Fluent
Russian
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Advanced
Japanese
Intermediate
Dutch
Beginner

Work Experience

Game Writer & Narrative Designer at Crazy Maple Studio
February 2, 2026 - Present
Writing chapters for the Chapters platform (iOS/Android) after winning their pitch competition. Branching interactive fiction with choice architecture, premium content design, and cliffhangers calibrated for player retention.
Narrative Designer & Voice Actor — Neurosis at MindMaze Studios
January 3, 2025 - Present
Co-wrote branching narrative structure, dialogue, and character arcs for a psychological thriller interactive film coming to Steam. Also performed the lead character in live-action sequences.
Narrative Designer & Writer — Visual Novel at Space Sails Studio
December 1, 2025 - December 30, 2025
NYC 1970s setting · 2025 · Remote Designed 6-episode arc, character stat systems, four distinct endings. Delivered lead-level structural and dialogue feedback on existing scripts.
Game Experience Designer & Community Founder at Meet Up: Making Friends in Ghent
March 5, 2023 - Present
2022–Present Founded a 3,000-member gaming community. Designed and hosted live mystery games, LARP scenarios, Harry Potter city quest, Discord narrative missions.
eLearning & Narrative Scenario Designer at Linguaphone / AIM · Paris
March 30, 2018 - February 1, 2022
Designed branching learning scenarios and gamified decision paths for corporate clients including Ubisoft, Sanofi, BASF, and Fastned.
Relocation & Intercultural Consultant at Santa Fe Relocation
March 17, 2026 - November 2, 2025
Delivered intercultural communication training to expatriates and global professionals. Created multilingual narrative onboarding content for Ubisoft, FIFA, Red Bull, ByteDance, and L'Oréal.
Business English & Intercultural Communication Instructor at BELP English · Tokyo
September 10, 2017 - August 30, 2018
Delivered advanced Business English training and designed customised learning materials for corporate professionals.
English Instructor & Educational Content Developer at SinoEducation · Beijing & Shanghai ·
September 2, 2013 - August 31, 2016
Taught English across proficiency levels. Developed writing-focused lesson plans and structured communication exercises.
PR Manager & Content Creator at RBTL Group · Moscow, Russia
March 1, 2026 - August 25, 2014
Led international brand communication projects. Developed persuasive written materials, press releases, and storytelling campaigns.
Narrative Designer at Anzir / MysteryAct
January 1, 2025 - Present
Designed full JuBenSha mystery games: storylines, character sheets, clues, branching outcomes for mobile and physical formats. Built layered information-reveal systems and replayable logic paths; adapted content for cross-cultural audiences
Game Experience Designer & Community Founder at Making Friends in Ghent
January 1, 2022 - Present
3,000+ members. Board games, DnD, LARP, RPG sessions; Harry Potter city quest, chatbot mystery game, Discord narrative missions
eLearning & Narrative Scenario Designer at Linguaphone / AIM
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2022
Branching learning scenarios and gamified decision paths. Clients: Sanofi, BASF, Fastned
Relocation & Onboarding Consultant at Santa Fe Relocation
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2026
Multilingual narrative onboarding content for Ubisoft, FIFA, Red Bull, ByteDance, L'Oréal
Intercultural Trainer & Professor at France, Japan, China
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2022
Continuously employed in international roles across education and corporate training since graduation
Intercultural Trainer & Professor
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2022
Continuously employed in international roles across education and corporate training since graduation.

Education

Master in Intercultural Management at University of Burgundy, France
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2018
Master in Intercultural Management at Josai University, Japan
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2018
Master in Management at Moscow State University, Russia
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2012
Master in Public Administration at SciencesPo Paris, France
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2011
M.A. Intercultural Communication & Management at University of Burgundy & Josai University
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2018
M.A. Management at Moscow State University & Sciences Po
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2012
M.A. Intercultural Communication & Management at Univ. of Burgundy (FR) & Josai Univ. (JP)
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2018
M.A. Management at Moscow State Univ. & Sciences Po (FR)
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2012

Qualifications

TEFL
January 1, 2015 - March 17, 2026
TEFL
January 1, 2015 - March 17, 2026
TEFL
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2015
TEFL
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2015

Industry Experience

Education, Gaming, Professional Services, Media & Entertainment, Travel & Hospitality, Software & Internet
    paper Crazy Maple Studio — Chapters

    Writing branching interactive fiction chapters for the Chapters platform (iOS/Android). Won the studio’s pitch competition to secure the collaboration. Projects include choice architecture, premium content design, and retention-focused cliffhangers.

    paper Space Sails Studio — Visual Novel

    A choice-driven visual novel set in the 1970s New York music scene. Designed a 6-episode arc with character stat systems, romance progression, and four philosophically distinct endings. Delivered lead-level structural and dialogue feedback.

    paper JuBenSha Mystery Games

    Full mystery game titles designed for mobile and physical play formats. Each game features complete storylines, character sheets, clue matrices, layered information-reveal systems, and branching outcomes built for replayability.

    paper Neurosis

    A psychological thriller interactive movie where players take on the role of a psychiatrist leading an online support group, uncovering secrets and navigating moral dilemmas. Coming to Steam.