Experience

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  Hinterland

  • Canada
  • Computer Games
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Game Designer

    • Apr 2023 - Present

    *Writing + pitching Design Specs, tuning + implementing new features in general Game Design on THE LONG DARK's open-world Survival Mode: currently these include new Weapon and Tool variants as well as new narrative-driven game modes and game systems*Open-world loot design to drive original narrative encounters -- with our 2022 global loot refresh of THE LONG DARK, I have designed and shipped loot layouts across significant portions of the game world*Designing and implementing gameplay dialogue and VO in Unity*Writing and editing story treatments, outlines, scripts, and text strings*Designing and writing open-world narrative collectibles consistent with game IP, backstory, and character development*Directing voice-over recording sessions with all principal actors and all secondary actors *Mission Scripting in Unity*Primary contact between Mission Design and Animation teams on narrative and technical issues*Advising on mission structure, story beats and overall narrative cohesion in The Long Dark, and managing the studio's localization pipelineGames shipped:The Long Dark: TALES FROM THE FAR TERRITORY Expansion Pass -- Parts 1, 2, 3, 4

  • Technical Narrative Designer

    • Apr 2019 - Apr 2023

    *Writing + pitching Design Specs, tuning + implementing new features in general Game Design on THE LONG DARK's open-world Survival Mode: currently these include new Weapon and Tool variants as well as new narrative-driven game modes and game systems*Open-world loot design to drive original narrative encounters -- with our 2022 global loot refresh of THE LONG DARK, I have designed and shipped loot layouts across significant portions of the game world*Designing and implementing gameplay dialogue and VO in Unity*Writing and editing story treatments, outlines, scripts, and text strings*Designing and writing open-world narrative collectibles consistent with game IP, backstory, and character development*Directing voice-over recording sessions with all principal actors and all secondary actors *Primary mission scripting on select Side Missions*Editing mission script/bug fixing on a variety of Main Missions*Primary contact between Mission Design and Animation teams on narrative and technical issues*Advising on mission structure, story beats and overall narrative cohesion in The Long Dark, and managing the studio's localization pipelineGames shipped:The Long Dark: WINTERMUTE, Episode ThreeThe Long Dark: WINTERMUTE, Episode FourThe Long Dark: SURVIVAL MODE Updates:- ERRANT PILGRIM- FEARLESS NAVIGATOR- HESITANT PROSPECT- PERILOUS CONSTRAINT

  • Game Writer

    • Aug 2018 - Apr 2019

    Implementing dialogue in Unity, writing and editing misc. text strings, assisting and directing voice-over recording sessions, advising on mission structure, story beats and narrative cohesion in The Long Dark, and managing the studio's localization pipeline.Games shipped:The Long Dark: WINTERMUTE REDUX, Episodes One & TwoThe Long Dark: SURVIVAL MODE Updates:- STEADFAST RANGER

  • Content Writer

    • Dec 2017 - Jul 2018

    Contributed extensive in-game writing to The Long Dark's Survival Mode Updates and managed Hinterland's localization pipeline. Prepared documents and assisted in VO recording sessions for WINTERMUTE: REDUX content. Games Shipped:The Long Dark: SURVIVAL MODE Updates:- RUGGED SENTINEL- VIGILANT FLAME

  • Website Editor, & Community Manager

    • Aug 2015 - Nov 2017

    Writing, editing, and creating content across multiple domains - The Long Dark, as well as multiple Hinterland and The Long Dark website properties. I also performed a range of traditional community engagement tasks, from moderating official forums on Steam and Hinterland's website, to managing the studio's social media accounts. I also contributed to Testing and QA support for every release. Games Shipped --The Long Dark: WINTERMUTE, Episodes One & TwoThe Long Dark: SURVIVAL MODE Updates:- DESOLATION POINT- TIMBERWOLF MOUNTAIN- TIRELESS MENACE- PENITENT SCHOLAR- VIGILANT TRESPASS- RESOLUTE OUTFITTER- FAITHFUL CARTOGRAPHER

  • Community Writer

    • Mar 2015 - Jul 2015

    Writing and researching community-facing content for players of The Long Dark computer game.

• 

  Future

  • Freelance

  • Contributing Writer, PC Gamer

    • Apr 2013 - Oct 2016
    • Freelance

    I wrote hundreds of news stories as a freelance contributor, as well as numerous reviews, features, and installments of the 'If You Like..." column. Archive here: https://www.pcgamer.com/author/patrick-carlson/

• 

  UC Irvine

  • United States
  • Higher Education
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Writer, PhD candidate

    • Jun 2011 - Jun 2016

    Presented essays and original research at regional, national, and international conferences related to the study of German film and literature. This was in accordance with my UC Irvine Dean's Fellowship Award, which covered those five years of research and teaching. My research dealt with Cold War era reactions to changing technologies in German culture. In particular I studied the discourse surrounding atomic weapons and their representation in apocalyptic film and literature.

  • Teaching Associate

    • Sep 2014 - Jun 2015

    Taught a section of UCI's Humanities Core Course, a year-long introductory class on the subject of warfare in human history. I designed coursework, planned lessons, and worked with students to achieve their academic and professional goals.

• 

  UC Irvine

  • German Instructor

    • Sep 2012 - Jun 2014

    Taught first-year German language courses to undergraduate students. Designed coursework, planned lessons, and worked with students to achieve their academic and professional goals.

• 

  The University of Arizona

  • United States
  • Higher Education
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • German Instructor and MA Candidate

    • Aug 2009 - May 2011

    Taught first and second-year German language courses to undergraduate students in accordance with my Max Kade fellowship, a competitive award at the University of Arizona.

  • Coordinator, University of Arizona Libraries

    • Jan 2008 - Jan 2010

    Supervised shelving and collection of library materials at Main and Science and Engineering Libraries. Managed undergraduate student employees.

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  KUAT Television for PBS, The University of Arizona

  • Tucson, AZ

  • Production Assistant

    • Aug 2007 - Nov 2007
    • Tucson, AZ

    Production Assistant on documentary film "Phoenix Mars Mission: Ashes to Ice," produced by KUAT Television for PBS, the University of Arizona.Researched extensive archival film footage provided by NASA for B-roll content applicable to the documentary. Clips that I surfaced for the production ended up in the final cut of the film.

• 

  Ellensburg Daily Record

  • Ellensburg, WA

  • Staff Writer

    • Sep 2005 - Jun 2007
    • Ellensburg, WA

    Covered education, business, outdoors and health beats; also webmaster and copy editing duties. I generated story ideas, maintained relationships with sources in the community, and published 7-10 news stories a week.

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  YAKIMA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC

  • Yakima, Washington, United States

  • Fourth Horn

    • Sep 2003 - Jun 2004
    • Yakima, Washington, United States

    Performed a complete season as a contracted French horn player and full member of the Yakima Symphony's horn section.