"Stellaris" (Paradox Interactive)

Players who ritualistically submit themselves to an enigmatic force known as The Shroud may find one of their colonies struck by violent turbulence. The Shroud has seen fit to provide their planet with more colonists, however their unheralded arrival threatens the very world they were supposed to call home...

Uses the game's research and dialogue mechanics — as well as a variety of environmental effects — to reflect on the hopes and dreams bound up in every Colony Ship the player casts out into the galaxy.

Part of the "Overlord" expansion, released in 2022.

Joining the cast of 'canonical' cultures to be encountered in Stellaris, this group of enthusiastic tinkerers offers a variety of scrapping services and engineering insights from aboard their vast cosmic garage. They're a useful bunch to know when the harsh galaxy turns its gaze towards you, but despite knowing their way around many a destroyer hull: the Salvagers are no friend to war.

I designed, wrote and scripted this enclave from initial concept to final implementation. They feature a variety of flavourful dialogues, are capable of appraising fleets and selling second-hand vessels, and include 'easter egg' content for players seeking a unique Steam achievement.

Collaboration with programmer Oleg Istomin as part of the Overlord expansion, released in 2022. Character art and animation by Emma Jonsson & Hanna Johansson; backdrop by Lloyd Drake-Brockman. 3D art by Lloyd Drake-Brockman, Tim Wiberg, Hanna Johansson; VFX by Erik Forsström.

Political factions help guide a player's galactic policies, and will respond when their choices work with or against internal political demands. What happens, then, when a faction is founded on a platform of literal nonsense? Authoritarians and egalitarians alike may find themselves jostling with this homegrown art movement: delighting crowds and upsetting governments with satirical, dadaist whimsy.

I wrote and scripted this event chain, to make use of the game's political factions system.

Released as part of a free update alongside the "Nemesis" expansion in 2021.