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Hi! I'm a writer and narrative designer with 20+ years of experience shaping storytelling for major global RPGs and AAA franchises. I'm known for creating memorable characters, compelling dialogue, and narrative systems that integrate tightly with gameplay. I’ve led and collaborated across disciplines—from co-directing voiceover performances and building story bibles, to developing internal creative tools and pipelines for subtitles, menus, and narrative assets—while supporting marketing, trailers, and long-term franchise storytelling.…Hi! I'm a writer and narrative designer with 20+ years of experience shaping storytelling for major global RPGs and AAA franchises. I'm known for creating memorable characters, compelling dialogue, and narrative systems that integrate tightly with gameplay. I’ve led and collaborated across disciplines—from co-directing voiceover performances and building story bibles, to developing internal creative tools and pipelines for subtitles, menus, and narrative assets—while supporting marketing, trailers, and long-term franchise storytelling.

John Zurhellen

Writer, Game Developer, Game Designer, +2

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Hi! I'm a writer and narrative designer with 20+ years of experience shaping storytelling for major global RPGs and AAA franchises. I'm known for creating memorable characters, compelling dialogue, and narrative systems that integrate tightly with gameplay. I’ve led and collaborated across disciplines—from co-directing voiceover performances and building story bibles, to developing internal creative tools and pipelines for subtitles, menus, and narrative assets—while supporting marketing, trailers, and long-term franchise storytelling.…Hi! I'm a writer and narrative designer with 20+ years of experience shaping storytelling for major global RPGs and AAA franchises. I'm known for creating memorable characters, compelling dialogue, and narrative systems that integrate tightly with gameplay. I’ve led and collaborated across disciplines—from co-directing voiceover performances and building story bibles, to developing internal creative tools and pipelines for subtitles, menus, and narrative assets—while supporting marketing, trailers, and long-term franchise storytelling.

Available to hire

Hi! I’m a writer and narrative designer with 20+ years of experience shaping storytelling for major global RPGs and AAA franchises. I’m known for creating memorable characters, compelling dialogue, and narrative systems that integrate tightly with gameplay.

I’ve led and collaborated across disciplines—from co-directing voiceover performances and building story bibles, to developing internal creative tools and pipelines for subtitles, menus, and narrative assets—while supporting marketing, trailers, and long-term franchise storytelling.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Work Experience

Narrative Designer, Writer at Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 - Raven Software

January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2026

Created memorable characters, compelling dialogue, and innovative scenes and story outlines for a huge IP. Co-directed performers in voiceover sessions to ensure coherence and quality of narrative experience. Wrote dialogue for game trailers and marketing campaigns to build worldwide anticipation. Worked across disciplines to integrate storytelling into gameplay. Provided actionable feedback for design, audio, and narrative teams to ensure highest standards. Developed internal creative tools and processes and created templates for subtitles and menus.

Narrative Lead, Writer at Unannounced Game – Tencent and TiMi Studio Group

January 1, 2024 - Present

Collaborated with leadership to shape the world bible, including story, themes, characters, factions, and lore. Consulted on game design to ensure narrative complements and enhances gameplay.

Narrative Designer, Writer at Miasma Chronicles – 505 Games and Bearded Ladies

January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2023

Crafted narrative architecture including cinematics, dialogue, bios, lore, and casting briefs. Maintained detailed design documentation and an evolving world bible for an ambitious new IP. Consulted with marketing team on game trailer direction and content. Co-directed performers in voiceover sessions to maintain tone and spirit of the IP.

Writer at Far Cry VR – Ubisoft

January 1, 2020 - Present

Rewrote dialogue to inject humor and tension into this location-based VR experience based on a huge IP.

Director, Writer at Kraken Screamfest IV – Cow and Kraken Rum

January 1, 2020 - Present

Owned creative for a cross-media, real-time experience where players at home remotely controlled a live actor escaping a catacomb labyrinth beneath London. Collaborated with the London design team to build a terrifying maze using real catacombs. Consulted on set and prop design, creature makeup, and gameplay mechanics to achieve high quality. Received awards for virtual event experience.

Writer at Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story – Riot Games and Tequila Works

January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2022

Crafted story, cinematics, and dialogue for the first single-player adventure within a legendary IP. Partnered with a team of writers to deliver narrative under a demanding deadline. Provided production support and workflow management for writers’ room and additional teams.

Narrative Designer, Writer at Outcast: A New Beginning – THQ Nordic and Appeal Studios

January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2023

Collaborated with creative leadership to execute narrative vision and strategy for a reimagined IP. Crafted cinematics and compelling dialogue. Wrote dialogue for reveal trailer to reintroduce a classic IP to modern audiences. Reviewed other writers’ work and provided constructive feedback to foster collaboration.

Narrative Designer, Writer at Dead Island 2 – Deep Silver and Dambuster Studios

January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2019

Crafted tension-filled cinematics with dark humor. Reviewed and polished other writers’ dialogue to enhance the game’s distinct 'Hell A' tone.

Narrative Designer, Writer at Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden – Funcom and Bearded Ladies

January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2019

Revised and streamlined a bloated, verbose narrative into a lean, punchy ARPG narrative. Crafted cinematics and dialogue, world bible, character bios, casting briefs, and internal tools/templates. Worked with all departments to develop game narrative and support implementation.

Director of Digital Content Development and Games at Nickelodeon

January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2020

Led creative development for mobile apps and games for the world’s #1 kids and family network. Developed and pitched concepts, built prototypes, maintained GDDs, and moderated kid playtesting. Managed external creative teams and collaborated directly with show teams to ensure interactive content reflected Nick’s heart and humor. Contributed to multiple Nick games including action, mobile and Apple Arcade titles.

Writer, Producer, Director, Script Supervisor at Rockstar Games

January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2010

Wrote thousands of lines of dialogue for major AAA games. Produced and managed performance capture and voiceover sessions including casting, scheduling, prop rental, and talent/vendor payments. Lead casting and voice recording sessions and evaluated scripts for dialogue needs to prep for recording while developing and maintaining writing pipelines. Key contributor on numerous back-to-back hit games including Grand Theft Auto IV and Red Dead Redemption.