FREEDOM-RIOT!

During my time with Simple Machine, I was the Writer and Narrative Designer of Infinite Jonathans—a branching narrative sci-fi comedy extravaganza!

Infinite Jonathans follows the misadventures of every occurrence of 'Jonathan' in the multiverse as they’re thrown into a series of absurd life conundrums. Players vote on how Jonathan will deal with his obstacles.

Will you help Jono thrive, or ruin this man’s life?

The Role:

  • Develop the overall narrative direction and voice of the project.

    • Establish the tone and humor (dark comedy sci-fi).

  • Conceive and write the game’s stories, characters, and events.

  • Worldbuilding.

  • Plot, map, and maintain a branching narrative.

    • Player choices change Jonathan’s journey.

    • Extensive text editing.

  • Write flavor text and game dialogue.

  • Feed writing into the game using in-house tools.

  • Collaborate with the illustration team, directing all visuals.

  • Lead a writers' room.

  • Ideate and iterate on gameplay mechanics.

  • Minor management of the in-house branching narrative tool’s backend (JSON).

  • Write copy for pitch materials (to AdMagic/Breaking Games).

Setting & Story:

The game is set in a zany multiverse, offering a variety of settings and story paths that draw from children's fantasy, sci-fi, and contemporary cinema. These narratives typically spin off from the core backdrop of a classic American high school setting, allowing hyper-imaginative, genre-imploding adventures .

Tags:

Absurdist, Existential, Satirical, Meta

Tone:

A unique blend of dark, 4th-wall-breaking meta humor and “smiling-through-the-pain” optimism. Discussing political and socio-economic issues while promoting empathy through absurdist and fantastical stories.

Comps:

Nickelodeon cartoons, Spider-Man: Into/Across the Spider-Verse, Community (S3E4 - “Remedial Chaos Theory”), Rick & Morty, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, Life is Strange, The Wolf Among Us, BitLife - Life Simulator.

Process:

I was contacted directly by the founder of Simple Machine, LLC, who was familiar with my work, particularly my comedic sensibility and topical interests showcased in games around New York. After receiving an overview of the project, I pitched my take on Infinite Jonathans through a short version of a ‘Jonathan’ story path. I demonstrated examples of player choices, how I'd connect paths, and my understanding of the game’s personality.

I went with a “night club” scenario for my pitch and used the setting as a jumping-off point to call out toxic masculinity. I knew a big part of the interest in me was my specific observational lens when discussing social issues through humor, so I made sure to showcase that through my test assignment.

Ladies & Jonathans, we got him.