Interactive Scriptwriting, Video Game Design, Voiceover Direction
Daniel Greenberg is available for game design consultation, full or partial script writing, VO direction, and last-minute script doctor jobs.
Upcoming Games:
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, 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.)
Daniel Greenberg is a freelance interactive scriptwriter, game design consultant, and voiceover director.
He has been a full-time freelance game industry professional for over fifteen years and a game designer since the mid-80s, when he put himself through college writing modules and sourcebooks for Dungeons and Dragons and other paper RPGs.
With a background in programming, writing, acting and directing, Daniel Greenberg has the skill set to delivers complete interactive scripts. His game scripts feature crisp, concise, exciting dialogue designed for VO and full interactive scripts with flow control structures and all variables.
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 consulted with game companies on three continents, including publishers like Electronic Arts, Activision, Bethesda Softworks, Midway, 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."
As a serious game developer, he has designed educational video games designed to help children develop critical thinking skills, and has lectured to educators and other groups on harnessing the educational power of games.
He serves as chairman for the Committee on Violence and Social Issues for the International Game Developers Association, and regularly lectures at the Game Developers Conference.
Game Developer's Conference 2007:
Who's the Real Bully?: Rights and Responsibilities in the Anti-Game Debate
Recent Games:
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
Video Game Titles:
Sea Dogs
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
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)::
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
Virgin Interactive, Looking Glass: Voyager: 1997
Developed
designs for Star Trek: Voyager computer game. Assisted with licensing.
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:
Star Trek: The Next Generation Role-Playing Game
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
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
Mage: The Ascension
Digital
Web
Mage
Player's Guide: The Book of Shadows
TORG
Los
Angeles Sourcebook: City of Fallen Angels
Crucible
of Pain
DC Heroes
The Magic
Sourcebook
JLI:
Exposed! (DC Heroes Second Edition Boxed Set)
War of the
Gods
Strangers
in Paradise
Countdown
to Armageddon,
Who
Watches the Watchmen (Winner RPGA Award Best Adventure)
ROLE-PLAYING GAME WRITING & DESIGN (cont):
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.
AWARDS:
1998 Excellence in Software Award (SPA): Starfleet Academy
1995 Origins Award, Best Adventure: The Last Supper: Giovanni
Chronicles Book I
1994 White Wolf Magazine Fan Award for Best Adventure: The
Malkavian Clan Sourcebook
1988 RPGA Award for Best Adventure: Who Watches the Watchmen
1985 Outstanding Theatre Graduate, George Mason University
LECTURES (Partial list)
Computer Game Developer’s Conference Lectures:
1998:
Government Report: Washington DC Road Trip
1997:
Government Report: Playing Games with Washington
1996:
Washington Report: Government Affairs for Computer Game Designers
1995: Hot
Content: Handling Controversial Material In Computer Games and Multimedia
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
http://www.mythicjourneys.org/guests_greenbergd.php
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