Headshot of Andy

Andy Bae

Game Narrative Designer

I am specialized in crafting compelling story content and advanced narrative systems for games with limited production budgets.

For over 7 years, I served in many different roles in AAA and indie game studios that inform not only my holistic expertise in development, but also my people-first leadership and communication style.

View or print my Resume
Quick Facts about Me:
  • Was the sole narrative designer and writer for an self-published indie game with over 200 Steam reviews applauding the story and characters
  • Frequently the go-to person for lore, in-game text, and localization in companies when hired as a game designer
  • Convinced 10+ people to join an indie game project and work without pay for a 1 year development period in 2024--and again with a new team in 2026
  • Guest presenter for industry events, university classes, and livestreams, spoke on how to create great games with small teams

Based in Vancouver, BC (open to relocation)
Contact me via: Email, LinkedIn




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Portfolio

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Happy Cartoon Andy

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My Best Work in Games
About Andy...
Happy Cartoon Andy

Yet Another Killing Game

Director, Narrative Designer, Programmer, Project Manager | Q1 2025

A mystery thriller adventure game where the amnesiac protagonist is trapped in a "death game" with two other victims, and your choices determine if they will uncover the game's secrets or die trying.

Despite being self-published, it has attracted many dedicated niche fans swearing by its story and overall game quality, and exceeded our overall sales predictions on Steam by a wide margin.

Buy or play the demo on Steam | Watch the official trailer on YouTube

What I did for the project:
  • Created the original prototype solo with commissioned assets
  • Convinced 10+ team members to work on it without pay for 1 year
  • Wrote all 10,000+ dialogue lines and Python code for the game
  • Drove project management and released without a single delay
  • Spoke publicly on my experience recruiting and leading the team

Bus Stop at World's End

Narrative Designer, Project Manager | Q1 2026

A vastly multi-linear visual novel where you play as a young rescuer trying to save a lone girl at a bus stop after the world's supposed end.

With 30 discoverable endings and a masterfully crafted gameplay loop, players applauded how the game uses your curiosity to drive replayability, and offers an overall experience of a surprisingly high quality for a 15-day game jam project.

Play the game on itch.io | Watch the official trailer on YouTube

What I did for the project:
  • Led brainstorming and concept finalization for our team of 5
  • Mapped out narrative branches and their conditions in Arcweave
  • Wrote all 1500+ dialogue lines and 30 endings in Yarn Spinner
  • Directed art, programming, and audio to concurrently complete work and successfully released the game in under 15 days

Other Notable Works

Pitcher and the Whale
Open-world 2D Platformer
  • First time self-publishing to Steam
  • My role: game/level design, project management (PM) work
  • Play the game on Steam
Endless Tutrle Defence
2D Side-scrolling Tower Defense
  • Game jam project with 2 people and 1 week
  • My role: Programming (Gamemaker Studio), game/feature/economy design
  • Play the game on itch.io
Ghost Arena: A Spectral Spectacle
Casual, Story-driven Deck-builder
View more game credits (including in AAA, mobile, and VR)
in Appendix A: More Games I Worked On

But who is Andy Bae?

What makes him unique in the games industry?

Thinking Cartoon Andy
Thinking Cartoon Andy

I like to talk in front of people.

I'm gradually becoming a leading voice in Canadian and global game industries, especially on the topic of scalable game development without publisher support or funding.


TWU Presentation Thumbnail


I strive to be worthy of leading others.

Even before I earned my current reputation, people were drawn to me because I offered them safety, confidence, and well-planned goals. And in return, I trusted them to solve problems, grow, and deliver their best work.

I am still in the midst of a lifelong journey as a leader, but everything I have so far is thanks to talented people who chose to believe in my vision and join me in bringing it to life.

Team Photos

My Professional Values

Servant Leadership

+ Emotional Intelligence = HIGH PERFORMANCE TEAMS!

Clear Docs and Communication

Write GDDs, but also be ready to summarize what's important

Prepare Pitches, Earn Trust

Not just executives; even co-workers should have trust in your vision!

Timely Feedback, Agile Planning

Refining workflows that "work for us" to consistently meet milestones

Team Meetings with Purpose

What to prepare? What to decide? Let's use everyone's time wisely~

Diversity in Collaboration

Great ideas can come from anyone, even from the less experienced

Examples of How I Work

Prepare Pitches, Earn Trust

A slide deck for my game pitch and the concept's appeal and feasibility. Designed for my team to review, critique, and eventually approve.

"Here are my scope estimates for art if we do this game concept idea, what do you guys think?"

"Worst case, we can get away with not having a player avatar, but out of all the stretch goals, that one's the first one we should try to get in."

A slide deck for my game pitch and the concept's appeal and feasibility. Designed for my team to review, critique, and eventually approve.
Clear Docs and Communication

A flowchart of story branches made in Arcweave, a popular narrative design tool. Was referenced often by programmers during development.

"As you can see, node BC03 branches out into 3 more endings, but the middle option requires Level 5 Conviction, so the soonest this can be accessed is after 4 playthroughs..."

"The true ending? Here, let me find it, it's...TE05. ...Found it? Great!"

A flowchart of story branches made in Arcweave, a popular narrative design tool. Was referenced often by programmers during development.
Team Meetings with Purpose

A section of an artboard sent to artists BEFORE a meeting to discuss character design.

"Thanks for meeting with me. Did you find some time to look at the options I collected for the hair here?"

"Oh, you already prepared a few sketches? Awesome, let's take a look! (We might even end this meeting early~)"

A section of an artboard sent to artists BEFORE a meeting to discuss character design.

Kind Words from People I Worked With

"It's not often [someone] is able to lead the game alone with zero delays..."

"...his concepts are clearly communicated across cross-functional teams..."

"...intuitive about how systems can be leveraged to satisfy design requirements..."

View the full Recommendations on LinkedIn

Video games have been my life for 25+ years.

Games I enjoy:
  • Almost every Nintendo IP (e.g. Mario, Kirby, Pokemon, Fire Emblem, Xenoblade Chronicles, Splatoon)
  • RPGs (e.g. Undertale, Final Fantasy)
  • Story-rich (e.g. Ace Attorney, Outer Wilds)
  • Puzzle battlers (e.g. Tetris 99, Puyo Puyo)
  • Fighting games (e.g. Smash Bros, BlazBlue)

β€œOn my business card, I am a corporate president. In my mind, I am a game developer. But in my heart, I am a gamer.”

-Satoru Iwata, former president of Nintendo


Studied game design in
School of Interactive Arts and Technology
at Simon Fraser University

My favourite design philosophies:
  • MDA framework: analyzing the relationship of mechanics, dynamics, and aesthetics
  • Setting game pillars to guide creativity and prevent production overscope
  • Using game branding and other first impressions to set (and twist) player expectations
  • Proving concepts via prototype playtesting ASAP (even for visual novels)

I never run out of stories to tell.

I have been dreaming up stories since middle school, getting constantly inspired by games, anime, books, TV shows, movies, and living life as a human.

Games specifically pulled me in as a storytelling medium from its interactivity, its potential for immersion, how it stimulates imagination, and even player perception as influenced by its culture or history as a "toy".

A review and comment from others praising the storytelling in my games
And people like the stories in my games~

Even with just words, storytelling can come in many different forms, and I have had opportunities to explore many of them throughout my career.

Databases

Spreadsheets of dialogue, barks, and loc strings

Click to Enlarge
Scripts

Dialogue and event cues weaved together

Click to Enlarge
Prose

Novels and short stories--some published!

Click to Enlarge
Screenplays

Directions for film staff and actors

Click to Enlarge



But if you care more about my games, then scroll down just a bit more...



Appendix A: More Games I Worked On




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Headshot of Andy

Andy Bae

Game Narrative Designer

Let's talk about what I can do for YOUR game project!