Professional writer with 7+ years of experience crafting immersive stories, branching dialogue, and engaging characters for video games and branding. Core member of Rat Magic Games, contributing across writing, design, and production. I’ve led and delivered narrative-driven projects including the critically acclaimed Best Served Cold (2025, Rogueside). Skilled in narrative systems design, technical documentation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, with expertise spanning SEO-focused copywriting and brand storytelling.

Joshua Aldred

Professional writer with 7+ years of experience crafting immersive stories, branching dialogue, and engaging characters for video games and branding. Core member of Rat Magic Games, contributing across writing, design, and production. I’ve led and delivered narrative-driven projects including the critically acclaimed Best Served Cold (2025, Rogueside). Skilled in narrative systems design, technical documentation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, with expertise spanning SEO-focused copywriting and brand storytelling.

Available to hire

Professional writer with 7+ years of experience crafting immersive stories, branching dialogue, and engaging characters for video games and branding. Core member of Rat Magic Games, contributing across writing, design, and production.

I’ve led and delivered narrative-driven projects including the critically acclaimed Best Served Cold (2025, Rogueside). Skilled in narrative systems design, technical documentation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, with expertise spanning SEO-focused copywriting and brand storytelling.

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Work Experience

Contract Writer at Rogueside
October 1, 2025 - January 1, 2026
Helped create narrative beats for Last Call (releasing 2026). Created the story for Devil Jam’s Lore Update, working with established IP and mythology to align new content with existing lore and narrative tone.
Lead Writer (Contract) at Rogueside
November 1, 2023 - July 1, 2024
Lead writer for Best Served Cold, released in 2025 to strong critical reviews. Developed complete story, characters, and branching dialogue systems. Collaborated with design, art, and programming teams to ensure narrative cohesion and deliver a narrative experience praised for depth, replayability, and worldbuilding.
Writer, Designer & Producer (Game Collective) at Rat Magic Games
September 1, 2023 - Present
Core member of Rat Magic Games, building and releasing 3+ games. Contributed as writer, designer, and producer across projects to ensure narrative, gameplay, and production goals were met. Co-led publisher pitches, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver polished prototypes and published titles.
Writer (Branding) at Bluum Branding
February 1, 2023 - November 1, 2023
Produced brand audits, PR materials, and client pitches. Created Driscoll’s Back to School campaign (2023). Conducted brand audits for large clients including Depop, providing strategic recommendations. Wrote outreach emails, conducted research, and developed client documentation, enhancing client messaging through storytelling and SEO-focused content.
Freelance Writer at Tractor, Set, Go! (Sunfall – Space Horror Demo)
August 1, 2022 - September 1, 2022
Created branching dialogue and lore using Twine JSON export for Unity implementation. Built worldbuilding foundations to establish narrative tone and ensure gameplay integration.
Writer (Narrative Design Lead) at PIRATCO (SYLA)
May 1, 2019 - September 1, 2021
Led narrative design, character creation, and plot development for the studio’s new IP. Wrote in Unreal Engine and coordinated workflows via Slack and Trello. Produced site copy aligned with the Yahoo Style Guide.
Freelance Writer at NATOKEN Entertainment
January 1, 2018 - November 1, 2018
Co-authored a Game Design Document and Narrative Style Guide. Developed characters, plotlines, and in-game writing. Collaborated remotely using Unity, Slack, Trello, and Discord.
Writer & Narrative Designer at o7Studios North
March 1, 2017 - July 1, 2018
Designed characters, worlds, and narrative systems for new titles. Partnered with artists, programmers, and designers to integrate story elements into gameplay and marketing. Worked in Unreal Engine Blueprints and GitHub for implementation.
Copyeditor & Online Advertising Assistant at The Archery Shop
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2018
Rewrote 1,000+ product descriptions for SEO, improving Google ranking. Produced blog posts, marketing content, and digital campaigns. Managed daily social media promotions, boosting customer engagement.

Education

MA Publishing & Creative Writing at Bournemouth University
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2022
BA (Hons) Creative Writing at Aberystwyth University
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2020

Qualifications

Aberystwyth Entrance Exam Scholarship
January 1, 2017 - July 27, 2026
Scholarship Award for Academic Excellence
January 1, 2017 - July 27, 2026

Industry Experience

Gaming, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services