Tori Schafer: Writer & Narrative Designer
about me
I am a writer and narrative designer with a strong background in epic fantasy MMORPGs, multiplayer experiences, and award winning diversity representation. I’ve always had a passion for games with thought provoking narratives and memorable characters. It’s been the realization of a lifelong dream to be able to create those experiences for millions of players across the world. I currently work as a senior narrative designer on the World of Warcraft team, and my past work includes Elder Scrolls Online, Spellbreak, and an unannounced title with Counterplay Games.
experience
AAA Design Experience
With several years of both AAA and AA game experience, I have a strong background in developing quest content, writing voiced dialogue, and creating memorable characters that have grown to become fan favorites. Over the course of my time with Zenimax Online Studio, Proletariat, Counterplay Games, and Blizzard, I shipped several titles, developed many quests, and wrote hundreds of characters. Working in a live service environment helped me gain pre-production, implementation, and post production experience for each title shipped.
team Collaboration
Writing for a game is about much more than putting pen to paper. As a narrative designer I frequently collaborated with designers, artists, and engineers to develop and implement all of our quest content. I worked with leadership and implemented feedback throughout the design process. I assisted the audio team to ensure quality voice acting, and have attended several voice over sessions with various actors. I also supported the animation, localization, and features teams in various ways throughout the production cycle.
Writing for diversity
It is my passion to ensure that players with diverse backgrounds feel that they are respectfully represented in my narratives. My quest content “Manor of Masques” received the first GLAAD award presented for the excellent LGBTQ representation in video games. The quest focused on the character Alchemy, the first openly transgender woman in Elder Scrolls, and her struggle to be accepted by her twin sister. The quest received great praise from ESO’s transgender community.
"Developed by ZeniMax Online Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks, The Elder Scrolls Online: Summerset is an expansion of the renowned Elder Scrolls franchise, known also for bestselling games Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim. In Summerset, players undertake a prominent questline entitled Manor of Masques to reunite a transgender woman with her estranged twin sister. The story deals with the difficult topics of coming out and acceptance in a way that reflects the lived reality of many transgender people today. GLAAD is proud to honor The Elder Scrolls Online: Summerset as Outstanding Video Game for its inclusion of authentic LGBTQ stories."