I bridge the gap between emotion, mechanics, and code. Drawing from my background in drama-therapy and anthropology, I create moments that empower players to explore new perspectives about themselves, each other, and the world. Here are some projects I've worked on:
Starlight
2D platformer enabling players to confront themes of change, loss, and death in a sci-fi platformer.
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Roles: Writer, Gameplay Designer, Developer
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Tools: Pico 8, Lua, Aesthetic Distance
Player Feedback: "Playing Starlight reminded me that loss and change are okay because that's part of the cycle of life."
"The double-jump mechanic's floating nature really sucked me in."
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Repair
Crew
Multiplayer VR experience empowering young players and first time users to experience wonder together.
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​Roles: Writer, Gameplay Designer​​, Producer
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Tools: Clear Documentation, Narrative Transportation, Emotion Centered Design
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Testimonial: "Nick's documentation enabled us to stay in alignment while working toward a very tight deadline."
Peter Buskir
Designer/Developer
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The World Sim
400 player simulation helping players to understand the historical processes that shape the world using a live-action role playing game.
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Roles: Gameplay Designer, Facilitator
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Tools: Paper Prototyping, Transformative Learning, Fruit Loops
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Testimonial: "Nick’s energy and enthusiasm was a key reason for the World Sim’s success as it gained international recognition."
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Michael Wesch
Anthropology Professor and Serious Game Designer
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Read About in the New York Times
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Falling Up
Creating empathy and understanding around aging and Alzheimer's disease.
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Guiding undergraduate students through ethnography and game design.
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Roles: Developer, Writer, Mentor, Digital Ethnographer
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Tools: Unreal, Digital Ethnography, Transformative Learning​
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Testimonial: "Nick became our go-to guru for game design and we managed to build a fantastic three dimensional game in a single semester that was listed in Blackwell’s 10 best class artifacts of 2015."
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Micheal Wesch
Anthropology Professor and Serious Game Designer
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Meal Sharing
Online platform connecting travelers and locals for home-cooked meals all across the world.
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Roles: Interaction Designer, User Researcher
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Tools: Paper Prototyping, Emotion Centered Design​
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Testimonial: "Nick helped grow Meal Sharing from the ground up and always challenged the team to think about the platform from different angles. Without his insight, we would not have been able to be where we are today."
Jay Savsani
Founder
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Happy Thoughts
Multiplayer online environment that brought players together to share happy thoughts during the heart of the Covid lockdown.
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Roles: Interaction Designer, Developer
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Tools: Javascript, P5JS, Node.js, InVision
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The Flying Bike Photo-Journalist Tour
Asheville bike tour that gives riders a more intimate connection with each other while reframing the aftermath of Hurricane Helene as a story of resilience and hope.
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'Pokemon Snap - like' picture taking mechanics help players to connect with each other and their environment.
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Roles: Gameplay Designer, Writer
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Tools: Paper-Prototyping, Electric Bikes
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Testimonial: "Nick was clear with his design process and kept an excellent balance between listening to our needs and holding us accountable to the difficult task of working out the little details."
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Torin Kexel
Owner of The Flying Bike
The Flying Dutchman
Narrative-driven escape room that facilitates bonds between teams and families while immersing them in a romantic pirate escape room adventure.
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Roles: Gameplay Designer, Puzzle Designer, Writer
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Tools: Paper Prototyping, Narrative Transportation, Emotion Centered Design​
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