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Chris Dodson

Interactive design and game development professor

Education

  • M.F.A., interactive design and game development, Savannah College of Art and Design
  • B.F.A., illustration, University of Georgia

Credentials

Teaching

  • Faculty, May 2008–present, Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta, GA
  • March–May 2008, The New School
    Piloted the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Game Design Curriculum with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Atlanta chapter in coordination with the New School in New York. Worked directly with the youth to use game design as a learning enhancement process.
  • Adjunct faculty, Jan. 2008–Sept. 2008, Art Institute of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
    Taught courses in the game art and design department and the web design and interactive media department.
  • Interactive storyspaces course teaching assistant, Fall 2007 (Internship), Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta, GA
    Assisted professor John Sharp in teaching principles of nonlinear and interactive storytelling. Conducted multiple interactive storytelling sessions and assisted students in the development of the creation of their own interactive installation.
  • Instructor for new player introductory course, 2003–2005, Legynds Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
    Wrote and taught the new player introductory course; instructed new players in how to play and lead them through their first missions and game weekends.

Professional

  • Co-owner and creative director, May 2013–present, Aethercast Studios, Roswell, GA
    Oversee, design, and develop video game projects.
  • Co-owner and board of directors, 2011–present, Splintered Dreams Productions
    Guide, manage, and direct the game production of the company’s games Legynds Rosehaven and Second Dawn.
  • Owner and lead game designer, 2004–present, Legynds Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
    Oversee design and development of the Legynds game world and rules system. Direct writers and developers in creating game-world expansions for online and live gaming events. Regulate and filter player-generated content for integration into the game world. Maintain website content and moderate community forums.
  • Lead game designer on AIR, May 2009–May 2013, Hatboy Studios
    Responsible for creative direction and design of game content, game systems, and managing team leads. Host and run regular Air Maelstrom LARP events.
  • Game system and world designer, Nov. 2007–March 2009, Arcanoria
    Develop content, levels, and game assets for the Arcanoria MMORPG.
  • Lead game designer, 2006, SCAD Atlanta
    Lead the game design team for the game pwnd! for the Game Developer's Exchange at SCAD Atlanta.
  • Creative director, 2000–2004,
    Game designer, 1998–2000, Legynds, Atlanta, GA
    Developed and play-tested adventure supplements and game-world content. Designed game systems and authored and edited gaming material. Organized promotional gaming events, tournaments, and game days at both local gaming retail stores and industry convention. Promoted company at industry trade shows and conventions, as well as participated in seminar panels at Gen Con, Dragon Con, Origins, and GAMA.
  • Game production artist, 1997–1998, Imagine Roleplaying
    Handled press/production work and coordinated with printing companies for publication of quality game books and supplements at minimal cost. Illustrated game books using pen and ink, oils, and digital media.

Organizations

Georgia Game Developers Association, International Game Developers Association, Indie Zen Games Guild

Publications and presentations

Conferences and panels

  • Speaker, SIEGE con, 2014–2015.
  • Panel speaker on narrative in games and interactive media, Atlanta Film Festival, 2011.
  • Digital media panel speaker, Future Media Fest, Georgia Tech, 2010.
  • Panel speaker on live-action roleplaying games, Dragon Con, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011.
  • Panel speaker on the game design, Dragon Con, 2010, 2011.
  • Speaker, SIEGE con, 2009.
  • "Conference Interactive Game SUITS." Presented at SIEGE con, 2009.
  • Speaker, SIEGE con, 2008, 2009.
  • "Everything I Know About Game Design I Learned from LARPs." Presented at GDX, 2008.
  • Panel speaker, Live Action Roleplaying Games, Dragon Con, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2010.
  • Panel speaker, Game Development, Georgia Tech MomoCon, 2006.
  • Panel speaker, World Building, Imagine Con, 2002.

Publications

  • Technical editor and content consultant, Games, Design and Play, Pearson Education, Inc., May 2015–October 2015.
  • Guide game design and content development, Air Maelstrom Rulebook and Player's Guide, 2010.
  • Game design and content development, Legynds Player's Guide, 2004–2007.
  • Co-author and illustrator, Imagine Bestiary, 2000.
  • Illustrator and additional content development, Imagine Barrow, MacMaern, 2000.
  • Co-author, cover artist, illustrator, Imagine Master's Manual, 1999.
  • Cover artist, illustrator, and additional content development, Imagine Players Guide, 1998.