John Frederick Paul LANE

NARRATIVE DESIGNER

Narrative Designer with a solid experience in the gaming industry at major companies like Scopely and King, specializing in creating compelling storylines, character development, and world-building across diverse genres. Skilled in integrating narrative elements seamlessly into gameplay mechanics and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Previously worked as an Editor and Content Creator, delivering high-quality content and ensuring narrative coherence. Known for excellent communication and team collaboration skills, fostering productive relationships across departments. Seeking a new challenge to craft engaging narratives that enhance player immersion and drive creative storytelling innovation.

 

Narrative Design | Storytelling | Copywriting | Writing | Editorial | People skills | Videogames |Leadership | English | Spanish | Creative | Communications Skills | Content Creator |

EXPERIENCE

SENIOR NARRATIVE DESIGNER                                                                                                              March 2022 - October 2024

Scopely, Barcelona

Scopely is a leading global interactive entertainment and video game company that employs around 5000 people has amassed over USD10bn in lifetime revenue. It was latterly acquired by Savvy Games Group.

As part of a dedicated team of up to 15 designers and developers, the narrative designer provided in-game narrative – the stories, characters and worlds – for the live mobile game Star Trek Fleet Command.

–  Led and defined the design and implementation of monthly narrative arcs, ensuring new content and positive player engagement from its 3.28m player base, positivity that was reflected in direct player feedback and player retention.

–  Developed franchise lore within the game.

–  Liaised with the IP holders at Paramount, making sure game releases coincided with new TV shows when possible and ensuring plotlines did not overlap or pre-empt franchise stories.

–  Took care of workflow and pipelines, so that new content and playable missions were delivered on time and in excellent order.

–  Developed star systems to use for playable missions leading to a wider gameplay area and greater player retention.

–  Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including game designers and UX specialists, to integrate narrative mechanics that boost in-app purchases.

–  Developed a scalable content pipeline for episodic storytelling, delivering consistent updates without compromising quality, and maintaining a high player rating.

SENIOR NARRATIVE DESIGNER                                                                                                                        July 2021 - March 2022

Omnidrone, Barcelona

Omindrone was a small video games company that was eventually acquired and absorbed by Scopely.

The role primarily involved the creation of all narrative aspects of a potential game based on The Simpsons.

–  Worked with the design team and the IP holders of The Simpsons to create a context for the game that truly evoked the feeling of the show.

–  Provided all dialogue and context setting for gameplay. 

NARRATIVE DESIGNER                                                                                                                             June 2016 - September 2019

King, Barcelona

King is a leading interactive entertainment company employing between 1000-5000 people across the globe. It was founded in 2003 and its games are played by over 200m monthly active users.

As a shared resource across the company, the role called for providing in-game narrative and external branding copy to all King games, both live and in development, with an emphasis on the latter.

–  Created the Bubble Witch story bible, ensuring later designers worked with a consistent vision.

–  Helped write the Candy Crush story bible, ensuring narrative cohesion over later iterations.

–  Designed, wrote and implemented story arcs for Pyramid Solitaire Saga, ensuring new content and player retention.

–  Provided snappy, compelling content for the games’ App Store blurb, helping improve sales.

–  Linked game context settings with branding and marketing, ensuring a consistency of tone that meant a player was never taken out of the game experience.

–  Helped design low-level UX concepts, to ensure a cohesive player experience across the board.

CHIEF EDITOR                                                                                                                                                            July 2013 - August 2015

TeamCMP, Barcelona

CMP is a digital entertainment company providing content primarily for the adult entertainment sector. The Chief Editor was responsible for building a magazine intended to be a non-explicit, mainstream product for wider public consumption and controlling all aspects of subsequent publication.

–  Designed the layout of the magazine, ensuring the magazine had a distinctive, recognizable look.

–  Hired the staff writers and photographers, ensuring the magazine always had fresh new content.

–  Guided the content requirements for the magazine, ensuring a consistent, cohesive product.

–  Worked with SEO, ensuring as wide a reach as possible.

–  Curated the magazine social media presence, engaging with readers and industry names.

RESEARCH EDITOR                                                                                                                                                      May 2008 - June 2013

Dow Jones, Barcelona

EDITOR AND CONTRIBUTOR                                                                                                                                  June 2007 - July 2010

Relevant BCN, Barcelona

EDUCATION

BA (Hons) English Language and Literature, University of Central Lancashire, Preston                                      1995

 

TECHNOLOGY

–  Final Draft: Professional

–  Microsoft Office (Word): Advanced

–  Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint): User

–  Virtual communication tools (Teams, Zoom): Advanced

LANGUAGES

English: Native | Spanish: Proficient C1 Level

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

–  Comedy improviser.

–  Producer and scriptwriter for short films and plays.

–  Awarded with “Best Script” for The 48 Hour Film Project competition, 2012 Barcelona edition.

Available to travel and for hybrid work in the Barcelona area or remote for across Spain.