Developer: Awem Games
Platform: Mobile (iOS/Android)
Role: Game Writer
Genre: Drama
Format: Match-3 puzzle game
More info: awem.com
As Game Writer from November 2018 through December 2019, my responsibilities included:
- Event creation and writing (overall idea, prose, dialogue)
- Overall Narrative improvements to game
- Russian to English translation
- Writing “What’s New” release notes
- Writing developer’s letters, push notifications, and special event alerts
My contributions to Cradle of Empires included:
“What’s New” Release Notes
This text, seen by every player following an update, contains a list of additions, changes, and upcoming events within the game.
Game Announcements
From time to time, announcement pop-ups appear in the game to alert players to holidays and events happening within the real world.
World Animal Day is held each year on October 4th, and to mark the occasion, I wrote a brief announcement that appeared within the game, as well as on social media.
I also wrote announcements for events including World Children’s Day, and Halloween 2019.
Narrative Rewrite
First released in 2014, I was tasked with rewriting Cradle of Empires’ main narrative in 2019 to refresh the story and provide clarity of the game’s events to new players. Not only did I establish a new introduction for the game, but I also rewrote the dialogue for all characters, cutscenes, and quests for the game’s first 15 levels.
SAMPLE CUTSCENE DIALOGUE
SAMPLE QUEST DIALOGUE
True Love Blossoms
Valentine’s Day Event
Event Release Date: February, 2020
I served as writer for Cradle of Empires’ second Valentine’s Day event, “True Love Blossoms,” which celebrated that awesome thing called love within the game. I created and wrote all prose for nine storybook pages as well as the dialogue that appeared in cutscenes before and after the event.
Players took on 40 challenging match-3 puzzle levels throughout the event, earning fun rewards along the way.
Djinn Day
Christmas Event
Event Release Date: December, 2019
I served as writer for Cradle of Empires’ Christmas event, “Djinn Day,” which officially kicked off the holiday season within the game. I created and wrote all storybook prose for the event, as well as the dialogue that appeared in cutscenes before and after the event.
INTRO CUTSCENE DIALOGUE
STORYBOOK PROSE
OUTRO CUTSCENE DIALOGUE
Players took on 40 challenging match-3 puzzle levels throughout the event, earning fun rewards along the way.
The Ferryman
Halloween Event
Event Release Date: October, 2019
I served as writer for Cradle of Empires’ Halloween event, “The Ferryman,” which officially kicked off the fall season within the game. I created and wrote all storybook prose for the event, as well as the dialogue that appeared in cutscenes before and after the event.
When the greedy and selfish Markata lets his work overtake all aspects of his life, it takes a visit with the mysterious Ferryman to set him on the right path.
INTRO CUTSCENE DIALOGUE
STORYBOOK PROSE
OUTRO CUTSCENE DIALOGUE
Players took on 40 challenging match-3 puzzle levels throughout the event, earning fun rewards along the way.
Meows & Paws Tournament
Event Release Date: July, 2019
Meows & Paws was Cradle of Empires’ first player-versus-player tournament event where players collected Cat Paw chips during Match-3 games to win prizes, and to help Sity—the Priestess of Bastet—find all the cats that escaped from her temple.
I translated all cutscene dialogue and UI text from Russian text to Native English, ensuring the event would be easily readable for the U.S. audience.
Intro Cutscene Dialogue
The Legend of the Blue Lotus
Summer Event
Event Release Date: May, 2019
I served as writer for Cradle of Empire’s event, “Legend of the Blue Lotus,” which officially kicked off the summer season within the game. I created and wrote all storybook prose for the event, as well as the dialogue that appeared in cutscenes before and after the event.
Ziyad plans to retrieve a magical blue lotus for his lovely wife, but before he can claim the flower as his own, he must successfully answer Nefertem’s difficult riddles.
Intro Cutscene Dialogue
Storybook Prose
Outro Cutscene Dialogue
Players took on 40 challenging match-3 puzzle levels throughout the event, earning fun rewards along the way.
Cradle of Empires 5th Anniversary
Birthday Event
Event Release Date: May, 2019
I served as writer for Cradle of Empire’s anniversary event, celebrating the game’s fifth birthday, in which players help the baker make the cake which will serve as the centerpiece for the in-game city’s celebration.
It was my responsibility to write all cutscene dialogue that occurred between levels.
Cutscene Dialogue
Players braved 40 challenging match-3 puzzle levels during the birthday event to build the celebratory cake, and in the process, won valuable rewards.
Tale of the Magic Bunny
Easter Event
Event Release Date: April, 2019
I served as writer for Cradle of Empire’s Easter event, “Tale of the Magic Bunny,” for which I wrote an original fairy tale about the importance of always telling the truth.
A young boy borrows a magical rabbit from a temple, hoping to use it to bless his father’s field. However, when the crops grow higher than he could have ever imagined, his neighbors grow suspicious. The boy, nervous about coming clean with his fellow villagers, makes matters worse by telling lies at every turn.
Storybook Prose
Players were treated to nine pages featuring prose and storybook art as they completed 40 challenging match-3 puzzle levels during the Tale of the Magic Bunny event.
Three Wishes
Valentine’s Day Event
Event Release Date: February, 2019
I served as writer for Cradle of Empire’s Valentine’s Day event, “Three Wishes” for which I wrote a fairy tale about true love and the magical genies who make life more difficult.
The shy and meek Amira loves the strong and handsome Garib, but can’t get up the courage to speak to him. Meanwhile, Garib’s affections fall to Leila, a beautiful and outgoing woman. When Amira stumbles across a genie lamp, the magical being offers to grant her three wishes, and the woman will need all three if she hopes to keep Garib and Leila from falling in love.
Storybook Page Prose
Players were treated to nine pages featuring prose and storybook art as they completed 40 challenging match-3 puzzle levels during the Three Wishes event.
Wes Locher 