Thomas L. Cunningham
About Thomas L. Cunningham
Thomas L. Cunningham is a Narrative Editor at Riot Games, specializing in the development of immersive alternate-fantasy worlds for the League of Legends intellectual property. He holds a Ph.D. from Virginia Commonwealth University and has previously served as an adjunct professor and interim head of voice and speech at the same institution.
Work at Riot Games
Thomas L. Cunningham has served as a Narrative Editor at Riot Games since 2017. In this role, he contributes to the development of immersive alternate-fantasy worlds for the League of Legends intellectual property. His responsibilities include ensuring that high-quality design and narrative standards are maintained across all products. Cunningham has played a key role in upholding the narrative craft bar for the League of Legends IP, focusing on delivering engaging and cohesive storytelling experiences.
Education and Expertise
Cunningham studied at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from 2011 to 2019. Prior to this, he completed a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) at the same institution from 2007 to 2011. His academic background provides him with a strong foundation in narrative theory and creative writing, which he applies in his current role at Riot Games.
Background
Before joining Riot Games, Cunningham worked at Virginia Commonwealth University in various capacities. He served as an Adjunct Professor from 2008 to 2014, where he taught courses related to narrative and creative writing. He also held the position of Interim Head of Voice and Speech from 2015 to 2016. Additionally, he briefly worked at Capital One as CSST Retail and NDB Acquirer from 2017 to 2018.
Achievements
Throughout his career, Cunningham has contributed significantly to the narrative development of the League of Legends intellectual property. His work focuses on maintaining high standards in narrative design, ensuring that the storytelling elements resonate with the audience. His involvement in the creative process has helped shape the immersive worlds that are a hallmark of Riot Games' products.