I'm Matt - freelance writer, narrative designer & consultant.
I write games, audio-plays, and kids' novels. In my work, I combine emotional storytelling, precise planning, and compelling narrative structures.
I create original stories and characters as well as adaptations of existing licenses in English, and my native language German. I am highly experienced in
coordinating production schedules and complex projects. As a creative lead, I have worked with small indie teams as well as teams of more than 40 members. I give talks, lectures, and workshops on
game writing and provide quality translations (German) for eg. story-driven games.
I am always looking for creative challenges. If you are searching for a
writer, narrative designer, creative lead, production consultant or translator (English > German) for your narrative project
contact me at Matt.Kempke@gmail.com
If you like my work, consider following me on Instagram.
More links on Linktree
You can also connect with me on LinkedIn.
Some of the things I am working on right now
A novel featuring an adventure set in the world of "The Night of the Rabbit" - I'm still writing it but you can already listen to the first finished chapters in "The Pagecast" // My roles: author, narrator
Unannounced game project // My roles: creative lead, narrative and game designer, writer
Some of the things that I have done
"Fall of Porcupine": Narrative 2D-Platformer about a hospital, the town of Porcupine and its inhabitants // Status: in development, BUNTSPECHT GmbH// My roles: co-narrative designer, writer additional texts, production consultant
"Ad Infinitum": 3D World War I Horror Game PC/Mac/Consoles // Status: In development, Hekate GmbH // My roles: narrative designer, writer, consultant
"Standart Skill: Voll verglitcht!": Novel for kids with interactive choices (German) // Sept. 15th 2020 // RIVA
Verlag & German games influencer "Standart Skill" // My role: author // Awards: Spiegel
Bestseller
"Mexify: Das Hotel im Nirgendwo": Novel for kids (German) // Oct. 13th 2020 // RIVA Verlag & German games influencer "Mexify" // My role: co-author with Aljoscha Jelinek (as "Josh Matthews") // Awards: DeinSpiegel Bestseller
"Tape Stories": interactive audio thriller for Amazon Alexa // 2020, GER, Pop Rocket Labs // My roles: writer & voice director // Awards: Nominee "Best Serious Game" (German Games Award 2020), Honoree "Best Writing for Apps, Mobile & Voice" (Webby Award 2020)
"Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth": adventure game for PC/Mac/Mobile & Consoles // 2018, Daedalic Entertainment // My roles: creative lead & lead writer, game designer, producer, voice director // Awards: Winner Prix Historia 2018, Winner "Best Sound" (German Games Award 2017)
"Freudbot": casual comedy mobile card game for Android/iOS/Windows // 2014, SlashGames // My roles (as Nathan Thelen): creative lead & lead writer, game designer, producer art // Awards: Nominee "Best Casual Mobile" (German Developer Award 2014)
"The Night of the Rabbit": adventure game for PC/Mac // 2013, Daedalic Entertainment // My roles: creative lead & writer, background artist, game designer, voice director // Awards: Winner "Best Game World" (Austrian Game Award 2013), Nominee "Best Game for Kids" (German Games Award 2014)
"A Stitch in Time" & "What Makes You Tick": adventure games for PC/Mac // 2007 (WMYT) & 2010 (Stitch), Lassie Games // My roles: creative lead & writer, game designer, background artist, animator, scripting // (The games can now be downloaded again, here.)
Other things that I've been a part of
"Lara's New Braces": explainer video for Dreiner Orthodontics (German) // 2020, with Corinna Ertl // My roles: co-author, character design & graphics
"Do Not Feed The Monkeys": comedy surveillance simulator for PC/Mac // 2018, Fictiorama Games // My roles: German translation
"Quanten Camper Calamari": comedy/fantasy audio serial (German) // 2020, Audible // My roles: plot consultant for author Aljoscha Jelinek
"Vivo Ant Stories": six illustrated short stories for the classroom (German) // 2021, Onilo/Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft // My role: author
"Kometa": four cosmic illustrated short stories for the classroom (German) // 2022, Onilo/Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft // My role: author