Lauren Wood
About Lauren Wood
Lauren Wood is a Principal Narrative Designer at Relic Entertainment, where she has worked since 2018. With extensive experience in game design, she has previously held positions at companies such as PopCap Games, DeNA, and Radical Entertainment, contributing to various genres across multiple platforms.
Work at Relic Entertainment
Lauren Wood has been serving as the Principal Narrative Designer at Relic Entertainment since 2018. In this role, she focuses on crafting engaging narratives that enhance the gameplay experience. Her responsibilities include overseeing story development and ensuring that narrative elements align with game mechanics. Relic Entertainment is known for its innovative approach to game design, particularly in the real-time strategy genre, and Wood's contributions play a significant role in shaping the storytelling aspects of their projects.
Previous Experience in Game Design
Prior to her current position, Lauren Wood held various roles in game design across multiple companies. She worked at PopCap Games as a Game Designer for 10 months in 2012-2013, where she contributed to game mechanics and design. At DeNA, she served as an Analytical Game Designer for 9 months in 2014, focusing on data-driven design decisions. Additionally, her experience includes a year as Lead Game Designer at Silicon Sisters Interactive Inc. and 6 years as a Level Designer at Blitz Games.
Educational Background
Lauren Wood studied at the University of Bradford, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in BSc (Hons) Electronic Imaging and Media Communications from 1996 to 1999. Later, she attended Capilano University, focusing on Creative Writing from 2017 to 2018. This educational background has equipped her with both technical skills and narrative crafting abilities, which are essential in her role as a narrative designer.
Technical Skills and Expertise
Lauren Wood possesses a range of technical skills relevant to game design. She has experience with various proprietary game engines and scripting languages, including Unreal 4 Editor and Kismet. Her proficiency in data analytics tools such as HiveQL, MySQL, and Big Query allows her to make informed design decisions. Additionally, she has technical expertise in scripting languages like T2 Script, XML, Python, and Javascript, which enhances her ability to contribute to gameplay mechanics and narrative integration.
Contributions to Game Development
Throughout her career, Lauren Wood has been involved in numerous projects that highlight her expertise in game design. She has experience in designing complex economies and progression curves, ensuring player engagement. Wood has also contributed to live operations, focusing on maintaining game performance post-launch. Notably, she was involved in the development of 'Scary Cabin', a web platform aimed at teaching AI to tell stories, showcasing her innovative approach to narrative design.