Daniel
Greenberg
· Video Game Scriptwriting
·
Original
IP Creation
·
Integration
of Story and Level Design
·
Interactive
Dialogue
·
Creative
Development of Licensed IP
·
Voiceover
Direction
·
Consulting
on Gaming as a Service
·
MMORPG
World Design
·
Script
Doctor Repairs
Daniel
Greenberg’s session at the 2009 Game Developers Conference:
Anti-Censorship
and Social Issues Committee
Video Games:
Cartoon
Network Universe: FusionFall
Mission Design, Licensed Character
Dialogue, PC MMORPG by Cartoon Network, Turner, 2009
(Massively multiplayer online
role-playing game set in the Cartoon Network universe.)
Script, story, dialogue, Electronic
Arts. PC by Crytek, 2007
(Sci-fi first-person shooter from
the award-winning developer Crytek, winner of 13 awards at E3.)
The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar
Design, Story, World Development, Tolkien
Consultant, Vivendi/Turbine/Midway. PC MMORPG by Turbine, 2007.
(Massively multiplayer online
role-playing game set in Tolkien's Middle-earth during the time of The Lord of the Rings.)
Star Trek: Elite Force II
Full Script, Story, Voiceover Direction,
Activision. PC by Ritual Entertainment.
Second Sight
Script, Dialogue, Codemasters. PC,
Xbox, ,PS2, and Nintendo Gamecube by Free Radical, 2004.
The War of the Ring
Tolkien Consultant, Vivendi
Universal Games. PC by Liquid Entertainment, 2003.
The Hobbit
Tolkien Consultant, Vivendi
Universal Games. PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube
by Inevitable Entertainment, Game Boy Advance by Saffire. 2003.
The Fellowship of the Ring
Tolkien Consultant, Vivendi
Universal Games, Xbox by WXP, PC and PS2 by Surreal, GBA by Pocket
Studios, 2002.
Independence Wars II: The Edge of
Chaos
Script, Full dialogue, PC CD-ROM and
Dreamcast. Infogrames/Atari, 2001
Time Digital 2026
Interactive Script, Video/Audio
Production and Direction. Online interactive companion to print magazine, with
material by Bruce Sterling. Time Digital/Road Runner, 2001
Interactive Script. Bethesda
Softworks, 2000
X-Men: The Mutant Wars
Script, Full dialogue, Story. Also
handled Marvel Comics approval process.
Created two separate scripts for
Sony Playstation and Gameboy titles. Activision, 2000
Vampire:
The Masquerade- Redemption
Script,
Full dialogue, Co-wrote story. Voice Direction. PC CD-ROM from Activision, 2000
Tenchu II: Birth of the Stealth
Assassins
English Script, Full dialogue. Sony
PlayStation from Activision, 2000
Battlespire
Partial scripts. PC CD-ROM from
Bethesda Softworks, 1998
Script, Full dialogue, co-wrote
story, Mission Design. PC CD-ROM. Interplay, 1997
Script, Full Dialogue, Co-designed
game, programming. Voice Direction. Wrote Prima Strategy Guide. PC CD-ROM
from Accolade, 1996
Jumanji
Designed mini-games, PC CD-ROM from Philips,
1996
Entomorph: The Plague of the
Darkfall
Story and level design
assist. PC CD-ROM from SSI, 1995
Al Qadim:
The Genie's Curse - Advanced Dungeons and Dragons
Partial script, half dialogue, level
design, programming. PC CD-ROM from SSI, 1994
BIO:
Daniel Greenberg is a freelance interactive scriptwriter, game design
consultant, and voiceover director.
His games have sold millions of
copies and won numerous awards. He has developed game designs, game scripts,
and scripting systems for licenses like The Lord of the Rings, Star
Wars, X-Men, Star Trek, Dungeons and
Dragons, Watchmen, Vampire: The Masquerade, and
many more.
He has worked with great game companies
on three continents, including publishers like Electronic Arts, Activision,
Bethesda Softworks, Midway, Sierra/Vivendi Universal Games, Disney,
Atari/Infogrames, TSR, and Apple.
His work has been praised in reviews
by both game industry and mass market publications. Critics have called his
games "An atmospheric triumph," and "complex and elegant."
"The multi-pronged story is a masterpiece," "an epic RPG in the
best sense of the word," "sheer beauty and shining quality,"
"a heart-wrenching storyline" and "beautiful, strong story
elements."
BACKGROUND:
Daniel Greenberg has been a
full-time freelance video game designer for nearly twenty years.
He began his professional game
design career in the 1980s, when he put himself through college writing and
designing award-winning dice and paper RPG modules and sourcebooks for Dungeons
and Dragons and other games.
With a background in programming,
writing, acting and directing, Daniel Greenberg has the skill set to deliver
complete interactive scripts with crisp, concise, exciting dialogue designed
for VO and complete interactive scripts with story trees and full variables to
track NPC states.
Daniel Greenberg has also consulted
on serious games, designing educational video games that help children develop
critical thinking skills. He has lectured for educators on harnessing the
educational power of games, and he has lectured to game developers on using
advanced education methods to make games better.
He serves as the IGDA’s chairman for
the Committee on Violence and Social Issues (International Game Developers
Association), and regularly lectures at the Game Developers Conference.
Educational/Serious
Games:
The Sorcerer's Apprentice:
Full Design. Internet-Based Learning
Game from Amdahl/Pebblesoft 1997
Cousteau’s World: Cities Under the
Sea: Coral Reefs
Produced and designed games. PC
and Macintosh CD-ROM from Enteractive, 1995
Earth
Explorer: The Multimedia Encyclopedia of the Environment
Designed and scripted 21 games.
Co-authored interactive Data Sets.
PC and Macintosh CD-ROM. Apple
Computer, 1994
Game Design Consulting (Partial List):
Virgin Interactive, Looking Glass: Voyager: 1997
Developed designs for Star Trek:
Voyager computer game. Assisted with licensing.
Health Media Lab
Produced,
designed, and wrote interactive scripts for educational crime science title
PostMortem: Dialogues with the Dead, health investigation science title Covert
Agent, and more. 1996-1998
Walt
Disney Software: 1992
Designed and scripted a computer
adventure game based on Disney Theme Park attraction.
Walt Disney Software: 1991
Wrote interactive scripting and storylines,
co-designed interface, developed interface prototypes for an original Disney
computer adventure game.
Mediagenic: Mechwarrior II:
1990-91
Co-designed interface, created
branching storyline flowcharts, wrote interactive plot and script for the
unreleased first version of the licensed Battletech computer game.
Dynamix/Activision: Deathtrack:
1989
Wrote and designed racing magazine
parody manual for the Deathtrack computer game.
Infocom/Activision: BTS
Project: 1988-89
Wrote interactive story and
background material, designed story shell, interface, and logic for an
original, unreleased science fiction computer game.
Live Action Game Events:
Produced by Daniel
Greenberg and Associates, 2004
FICTION:
Sinful Stars: HDI
Publishing 1998
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy: Pocket
Books 1997 (co-author)
Jyhad: The Eternal Struggle: White
Wolf Publishing 1994
Drums Around the Fire:
White Wolf Publishing, 1993
Children of the Inquisition: White
Wolf Publishing, 1992
Into China, TSR
Books, 1988
Witchfires of Leth,
Tor Books, 1987
ROLE-PLAYING GAME WRITING &
DESIGN:
Fading Suns
The Sinful Stars: Tales of the
Fading Suns
Fading Suns Player's Companion
Vampire: The Masquerade
Vampire Player's Guide
Vampire Storyteller's Guide
Malkavian Clan Sourcebook (Winner,
White Wolf Fan Award, Best Adventure)
Elysium: The Elder Wars
The Last Supper: Giovanni Chronicles
Book I (Winner, GAMA/Origins Award, Best Adventure)
Werewolf: The Apocalypse
Werewolf: The Apocalypse, Revised
Edition
Umbra: The Velvet Shadow
Rage Across New York
Werewolf Player's Guide
Werewolf Storyteller's Guide
Werewolf: the Apocalypse, Second
Edition
Children of Gaia Tribebook
Wraith:
The Oblivion
Wraith: The Oblivion, First Edition
RPG
Mage: The Ascension
Digital Web
Mage Player's Guide: The Book of
Shadows
Last
Unicorn Games
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Role-Playing Game
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Role-Playing
Game
TORG
Los Angeles Sourcebook: City of
Fallen Angels
Crucible of Pain
DC Heroes
The Magic Sourcebook
JLI: Exposed! (DC Heroes Second
Edition Boxed Set)
Atlas of the DC Universe
War of the Gods
Strangers in Paradise
Countdown to Armageddon,
Who Watches the Watchmen (Winner RPGA
Award Best Adventure)
Ghostbusters:
Hot Rods of the Gods (Nominated
for GAMA/Origins Best Adventure)
Star Wars:
Tatooine Manhunt (#1 Bestselling
Star Wars Adventure)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles:
Turtles Go Hollywood
Advanced Dungeons and Dragons (Role
Aids)
Elves Sourcebook
The Keep (Nominated for RPGA Best
Adventure)
Swordthrust
Pinnacle
COMIC BOOK WRITING
The Adventurers Book
II- Issues 0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Warriors- Issues 1, 2, 3,
4, 5.
LECTURES (Partial list)
Computer Game Developer’s Conference
Lectures and Roundtables:
GDC
2008: Anti-Censorship and Social Issues
GDC 2007:
Who's
the Real Bully?: The Anti-Game Debate
GDC 2006:
Coffee Stains: Rights and Responsibilities of Video Game Creators
GDC 2005:
None Dare Call It Censorship
GDC 2004:
Violence Roundtable
GDC 2003:
Violent Videogames: Threat or Menace?
GDC 2002:
Violence: New Perspectives on Old Designs
GDC 1998: Washington DC Road Trip:
Game Developers Go Lobbying
GDC 1997: Government Report: Playing
Games with Washington
GDC 1996: Government Affairs for
Computer Game Designers
GDC 1995: Hot Content: Handling
Controversial Material in Computer Games and Multimedia
GDC 1992: The Montessori Method as a
Metaphor for Computer Game Design
Association for Educational
Development 1997: Building Judgment, Not Just Brand
Loyalty
The Association of Motion Image
Archivists 1997: Digital Video for Archival Storage
CD-ROM World 1994: Authoring
Systems, Presentation Packages
MAGAZINE AND NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
Articles, special features, product roundups,
hardware and software reviews, interviews and feature articles on multimedia
and computer game technology for publications including:
The Washington Post (200+ Technology
articles)
Gannett News Service (50+ Technology
articles)
USA Today
Digital Video Magazine (Contributing
Editor 1994-1998)
CD-ROM Professional, Amiga World,
Compute Magazine, The Cursor, etc.
CGDA Report (Contributing Editor and
Washington Correspondent)
MEMBERSHIPS & DEGREES
Who’s Who in America 1999+
International Game Developers
Association (CGDA Charter Member)
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers
of America
Game Manufacturers Association
Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts in
Acting/Directing from George Mason University, 1985
REVIEWS
PC CD-ROM from Bethesda Softworks,
2000
IGN.com
“an excellent game… in-depth
storyline… countless branching dialogue conversations… As the tale progresses,
character development becomes an even more fascinating process, masterfully
drawing players ever deeper into the plot… the amount of detail invested in the
waterway encounters will astound you… This is one booty call you won't
want to miss. 8.5 out of 10”
GameRankings.com
“… truly a fantastic title, filled
with enough adventure and mayhem for the adventuring pirate in all of us.
Being a pirate has never been so fun…
“The towns provide the substance of
the adventure, and you'll find propositions from various people in the
town. It's these adventures that will forward the storyline, and give you
even more reason to take the seas and destroy the enemy…” Score: 94 out
of 100
Vampire: The Masquerade: Redemption
PC CD-ROM from Activision, 2000
PC Gamer (Review 9/00)
“Highs: Deep storyline… story tight
and compelling. The story goes through love, heartache, betrayal, politics, and
outright revenge… sheer beauty and shining quality… potential to be the best
RPG ever created.”
PC Gamer (Strategy Section 9/00)
“This is an epic RPG in the best
sense of the word. A heart-wrenching storyline of lost love and stolen
innocence. It would take a book to track the complex plot lines.”
Computer Gaming World (Preview)
“Redemption’s story, which hard-core
fans will be thrilled to know was developed with White Wolf’s direct input and was
co-written by longtime Vampire writer Daniel Greenberg… is steeped in
storytelling, with deep role-playing elements”
“…the elusive holy grail of gaming:
the mature, emotionally involving action game.”
Computer Games Magazine (Review
9/00)
“…the premise and story are more
original and more interesting than what generally passes for a plot in computer
role-playing games… the story is engaging…
Maximum PC Magazine (Review 9/00)
“Bloody good
gaming… Plusses: Deep gameplay, good story and scripting…
Once Vampire: The
Masquerade-Redemption sinks its teeth into you, you'll be under its
spell… The story is quite deep… gifted with a complex storyline, and
finely crafted dialogue….”
The Los Angeles Times (8/24/00)
“An Atmospheric Triumph… takes
role-playing to a new level… complex and elegant…”
“One word that pretty much sums it
up, though, is simple enough: Wow.”
“…the multi-pronged story is a
masterpiece.”
CNET Gamecenter
“Rich narrative; Deep gameplay… A
vast, epic game with a complex story…
Vampire has every element in place
to make it instantly addictive…
Morality, faith, love, duty, and
death … the drama really delivers…
…unique and addictive experience…you
will want to see where the story goes
…sheer quality of its design and
content. Not many games compare to Vampire…”
Adrenaline Vault
“A theatrical performance worthy of
a Tony award…”
“…complex script… deep characters, a
great story, wonderful atmosphere. You'll not find many titles this plentiful
in storyline, character interaction and development…”
“Because Vampires are immortal
beings, the evolution of the story also adds a great deal to the
immersion factor, which is very
high. Characters you meet early on develop over time and
progress with Christof with each
advancement of the plot. The exploration of the world takes a
back seat to the development of
characters, a trait not used often, and one characteristic of
old-school RPGs. The well
constructed storyline and character development system give VTM:
Redemption an overpoweringly immersive
quality, possessed in very few offerings today… one of the best old-school RPGs
released in a long time.”
“All of the spoken dialogue is
delivered professionally and is believable throughout. The complex script was
surely challenging for the actors, but never once did I get the feeling they
were anybody other than who they were pretending to be.”
“VTM: Redemption is one of the
richest and most detailed CRPGs ever created.”
Computer Game Review
“The monster is you. That’s the
revolutionary idea behind White Wolf’s Word of Darkness…”
“The premise and story are more
original and more interesting than what passes for a plot in computer
role-playing games… I could go on and on about the single-player version and
how amazingly fun it is.”
Daily Radar
“A compelling story… The story
combined with the graphics is almost overwhelmingly appealing.”
PC Zone:
“The Shakespearean tone… is embedded
in some of the game's very themes. The forbidden love between Christof and Anezka
echoes that of Romeo And Juliet, while Christof's inner struggle brings back
memories of Hamlet… … You care about what's happening. You continue because you
want to know where the story is going… The Masquerade world is so engrossing
that you don't want to leave it… You are unlikely to find a more challenging,
rewarding or gorgeous RPG… Bloody marvelous”
PC Gameworld
“A big hand for the writer!”
“The usage of century-old language
is wonderful. The characters speak with strong metaphors and poetic fluidity,
as well as creative insults and courageous battle cries.”
“The voice acting is some of the
best I've heard to date… Vampire's team definitely did a
great job in finding some talented
voice actors for this mesmerizing game.
“… rich, engrossing story of the
origin and evolution of vampires. Enjoy.”
Tenchu II: Birth of the Stealth
Assassins:
Sony PlayStation from Activision, 2000
DailyRadar/ Next Generation Magazine
"A central story that is compelling
and interesting… a better understanding of the ninja… one of the most absorbing
and evocative experiences we've had on the PlayStation this year… Tenchu 2 is
gripping, sleek and cool… one of the best PSX games of the year."
Gamespot
"The story is compelling,
impressive in the telling, and multilayered"
"The story sequences - the
secret final ending especially - are particularly nice."
"The most immense game of its
genre."
IGN.com
"Players have one long,
engrossing story-based game to play. In that way, Tenchu II is much better than
its predecessor."
"…a remarkable
experience… class and integrity."
GamePro
"… a well-done plot which is
different depending on which character you choose."
"Tenchu Very Much. The second
Tenchu is measurably better than the first."
"An action game that makes you
think."
PSXNation
"…storylines tightly wound
around the game… storyline works flawlessly."
PC CD-ROM from Interplay, 1997
CNN (Review)
"…a very good original story…the
best Trek game yet."
Computer Games Strategy Plus
(Review)
"…a great story "
"The cut scenes reveal some of
the subtleties of crew dynamics, especially the cultural and ethnic tensions intertwined
therein. During the later missions, these skills play a major part in resolving
crisis situations throughout the vast reaches of space."
"The game represents the spirit
of Star Trek in laudable fashion, balancing the thrill of space conflict with
the wisdom of a timeless legacy spanning four decades."
Computer Games Strategy Plus (Jan 98
Follow-up to the Review):
“This game is a hell of a lot of fun
across the board.”
PC Games (Review)
"Starfleet Academy succeeds
better than any previous Trek game at capturing the feel of the show and the
full Trek experience."
"The cut scenes, by the way,
aren't just filler. One of the criteria for making your way through the game is
how well you handle your crew, and you'll see their interactions here. They're
not all pleasant, either: animosity makes itself felt from the first
Academy-bar gathering, and you'll need to defuse tensions without losing your
grip on them. If the crew rating goes down, it'll have ramifications later in
crucial situations."
"…make no mistake-
thinking will be required."
"a truly superb game…warps past
any previous Trek game."
"It's instant addiction… a
fulfilling gift for the Trekkies among us.”
"Play it: It goes where no Trek
game has gone before."
Computer Gaming World (Review)
"…strong story…good writing…the
story is pretty immersive."
"Missions are true to the Star
Trek Mythos."
CNET GameCenter.com (Review)
"Beautiful, strong story
elements, …clever writing and an understanding of the Trek mythos (and its implications)
that surpasses most of the current TV shows and movies. In fact, the question
of what we are to learn from Kirk himself and his "Cowboy Diplomacy"
(based on the original series and first set of movies) is one of the major
themes of this story."
Computer Gaming World (News Feature)
"Dan Greenberg, award-winning
paper game designer, wrote the original interactive material for the game. Dan
wrote an ambitious script where all game choices not only made sense, but where
all choices must be set-up. Just as a mystery novel isn't entertaining to read
if you have the sense that the writer is going to throw new evidence at you
during the last scene, games cease to be fun when you feel like you aren't
being given enough information to make a meaningful choice."
PC CD-ROM from Accolade, 1996
Computer Gaming World, Dec 96
(Review) Rating: Four Stars
"The ultimate space
adventure."
"…hilarious and extremely well
scripted."
"…great stories, humor, and gameplay…"
"…a wonderful science-fiction
story line."
"…a dizzying array of
sub-plots."
"…an overflowing mix of
aliens…"
"…huge and complex plot
structure…"
"…SC3 is non-linear, so you can
solve each race's story in whatever order you wish."
"There is, in fact, so much to
explore and so much story to unravel, that Star Control 3 plays like almost an
entire season of Star Trek episodes."
"The dialogue for each race is
also on par with the excellent plotting."
"…a superb job of giving each
race a distinct personality that shines through their unique and flavorful
dialogue."
"The best writing, though, is
reserved for the new races of SC3."
"The dim-witted Doog and the
insecure K'tang are especially funny; I was literally crying with laughter the first
time I encountered the ridiculous K'tang."
"…hilarious dialogue, great
character interaction…"
"a truly stellar
experience."
"Great story, funny characters
and dialogue… huge amounts of gameplay."
PC Gamer, December 96 (Review)
Rating: 90%, Editors Choice
"Epic story line; wide variety
of aliens; professional voice acting; tons of things to do."
"You can't help but like it
when aliens and an epic story are placed in the bizarrely humorous Star Control
Universe."
"…the story will draw you in so
much…"
"The voice acting is superbly
done."
"Each alien has a distinctive
lingual pattern, and what they say makes sense to the characters… This is one
game where you won't turn off the sound five minutes into
it."
"The vast majority of the game
takes place in dialog with other aliens, either extracting information,
discussing alliances, or simply insulting each other. That's where most of the
humor comes into play, and fans of subtlety will appreciate it."
"Star Control 3 has some pretty
big shoes to fill, and it does so beautifully."
"If you're a fan of the older
Star Control games, you won't be disappointed."
"…Star Control 3 is a worthy
successor, and a blast to play."
Computer Gaming World, January 97
(Strategy Guide)
"Playing Star Control 3 is like
putting on the giant shoes of Captain Kirk for a full season of Star Trek.
You'll explore strange new worlds, meet new civilizations, and boldly go where
no other science fiction game has gone before."
PC Games, December 96 (Review)
Rating: A-
"It's in the serious moments
that Star Control 3's alien interactions really shine. The writing, acting, and
sound manipulation of the Mycon, for instance, are eerie as hell. It's alien in
the truest sense of the word."
"Star Control 3 delivers the goods,
with lots of gameplay, configurability, and depth."
"Star Control 3 is a
delightfully challenging game that's sure to please fans of the series and
newcomers alike."
Computer Gaming World, December 95
(Holiday Hot 100, Adventure #3)
"a universe of amazing
depth… hilarious dialogue and voice work…"
Next Generation, January 97 (Review)
Rating: Four Stars
"The voice acting and dialog
throughout the game is top-notch."
Computer Gaming World, October 96
(Hands On Preview)
"…a good sci-fi story with
Lovecraftian influences and some very funny dialogue."
PC Gamer, December 95 (Preview)
"The story is the most
elaborate ever seen in any science fiction title."
"…reaches beyond
science-fiction stereotypes and clichés, beyond mere war and conquest, to
involve the user in a strange, elaborate universe where almost anything is
possible."
"So many things enter into
gameplay…moral and ethical questions, tough decisions, and delicate diplomatic
relations—that SC3 should be one of the more exciting releases of 1996."
Coming Soon Magazine, Issue 18
(Review)
"The best science-fiction story
ever written for a computer game."
Advanced Dungeons and Dragons
Computer Game PC CD-ROM from SSI, 1994
Computer Gaming World: “Al Qadim
whisks away traditional role-playing on its magic carpet... incorporates many
evolutionary changes... a new kind of role-playing game that may point toward
the future of the genre.”
Computer Shopper: “In these days of labeling certain
games with warnings about “mature content, it is refreshing to see a game where
honor and courtesy are an integral part, and portrayed in a way that isn’t
trite.”
CD-ROM Entertainment: “A fun romp in
the exotic middle east...I found the puzzles challenging and entertaining...
The storyline was of a nature I had not seen before, and was
intriguing....quite different than the kill all the monsters AD&D game
you’re used to.”
Electronic Entertainment: “Richer and
more complex than SSI’s other Forgotten Realms worlds...In a new approach to
the old AD&D formula, story line, plot, and character take precedence over
puzzle solving... Even minor characters possess intricate personalities...”
Strategy Plus: “I say give it a try. You’ll
most likely have as much fun as I did.”
Dragon Magazine: “Wow! Was this game fun!”
Earth
Explorer's Hot Topics games:
CD-ROM Today: 5 stars (of 5): “An example of educational
programming at its best, presenting solid information in an intelligent and
thought-provoking format... Hot Topics not only engage kids’ interest, but
teach them to reason, to argue, and to weigh evidence.”
MacUser: 4+1/2 mice (of 5) Number 1 title
in Children list. “...conveying a remarkable depth of information... encourages
kids to look at issues from all sides before forming opinions.”
HomePC: “Hot Topics, Earth Explorer’s most
provocative section, helps separate hard facts from hyperbole… helps kids learn
by talking about environmental questions raised by the broadcast and print
media.”
Parents Magazine: If a CD-ROM could change the
world, it would look a lot like Earth
Explorer... identifies the issues and encourages kids to
draw their own conclusions.”
Computer Life: 5 stars (of 5): “…presents Hot
Topic debates in a discussion forum. Children are encouraged to evaluate
complex situations and develop their own ideas.”
Best of Everything: 1995, Winner of the Best Product Award
for Children’s Education,
Computer Game Review: “The
educational content (of Hot Topics) is presented in a game-like way that is
mentally challenging, but does an admirable job of not trivializing the content
or the methodology.”
Awarded the 1995 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval
for Computer Software