Welcome to The Narrative Designer
Professor Stephen E. Dinehart IV, an industry-leading game maker, screenwriter, educator, and attraction designer, continues to redefine the intersection of themed entertainment, mixed reality, and games. Renowned as the original Narrative Designer—a position he pioneered with THQ in 2006—Dinehart's prolific portfolio spans major theme parks, immersive game-based theatrical experiences, VR/AR for location-based entertainment, mobile and AAA video games, and brand development for heavyweights like Toyota, NBC Universal, Saatchi & Saatchi, Warner Brothers, Marvel, and Nintendo. His creative genius has help bring to life beloved franchises and characters such as The Marvel Universe, Mario, Batman, and The Lord of the Rings, with recent notable projects including GiantLands roleplaying game, Evermore Park, Boomtown Fair, and Super Nintendo World.
Interviewed in Last Issue of Gain Magazine!
This year German game journal, GAIN Magazine is circulating an in-print only in-depth interview with Professor Stephen E. Dinehart conducted by the insightful Arno Görgen. In this the last issue of the magazine, Dinehart delves into various facets of his work, life, and career. The opportunity to listen in on such meaningful discourse about the intricacies of narrative design within the gaming landscape is both enlightening and rewarding.
Rarely do professionals within the industry have the chance to explore their craft in such depth. The thought-provoking questions posed by Görgen allow Stephen to reflect on his journey as a narrative designer in ways previously unexplored. The interview is exclusively available in print and is published solely in German.
To acquire a copy directly, interested individuals are invited to visit: www.gain-magazin.de. Don't miss out on this exclusive opportunity to gain access to a wealth of knowledge and inspiration in this the last issue of Gain Magazine.
An award-winning designer, writer, and artist, Professor Dinehart's journey began with formal training at Detroit’s College for Creative Studies (BFA) and USC’s School of Cinematic Arts (MFA), supported by scholarships from Electronic Arts, Gene Autry, and the David Lynch Foundation for World Peace. His groundbreaking work in interactive storytelling since 2006 has inspired a movement within the industry. Showcased globally from Vancouver to Los Angeles and beyond, Dinehart has left an indelible mark on the entertainment world. His expertise has been sought by TED, Warner Brothers, Electronic Arts, Activision, Zenimax, and THQ, contributing to franchises like Constantine, Batman, F.E.A.R., Dawn of War, and Company of Heroes.
With over two decades of experience in online entertainment, immersive experiences, and game development, Stephen brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to every speaking engagement. His dynamic storytelling abilities, coupled with his deep understanding of narrative direction and interactive experiences, leave audiences inspired and eager to push the boundaries of creativity. His engaging presence on stage and passion for empowering others and driving innovation make him a sought-after speaker at conferences, industry events, and academic institutions worldwide. From sharing groundbreaking insights to discussing the future of entertainment, Stephen's keynotes resonate long after the applause fades, leaving a lasting impact on every audience member fortunate enough to experience his talks
What is a "Narrative Designer"?
The "Narrative Designer" is a role created out of necessity. One Tarrnie Williams had the vision of a new kind of role and asked Stephen to help him with it at THQ Canada dba Relic Entertainment where he was then General Manager. After talking about it over many months, Dinehart wrote the job description in a basement in Wisconsin. Approved weeks later, the role as written was initially called "Narrative Director", but was eventually settled upon by the team as "Narrative Designer". It would take another six months before Dinehart would be offered the job. Moving to Vancouver, British Columbia to first take the role in October of 2006. In the almost 20 years since, the Narrative Designer has changed the landscape of story development in interactive entertainment and now employs thousands of people worldwide.