About Me

Professional Profile

I'm Andres Valbuena, a narrative designer and game designer who crafts immersive worlds through creative writing, systematic design, and player-driven storytelling. My core expertise lies in building cohesive game worlds where narrative, spatial design, and gameplay systems work in harmony to create memorable player experiences.

Key Achievements

Academic Recognition

Tencent Game Scholarship Recipient (2024-2025) – Awarded for outstanding academic achievement, commitment to game design, and contributions to the Computer Game Design program at George Mason University. This merit-based scholarship, part of Tencent America's partnership with the Virginia Serious Game Institute, recognizes top undergraduate students preparing for careers in the games industry. I used this scholarship to fund my education and eventually graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Game Design.

Industry Recognition

Gold Status in the 2025 GDC Game Narrative Review competition for my analysis of Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines. My submission demonstrated expertise in systems-aware storytelling, player agency integration, and environmental narrative design.

• View the Game Narrative Review

Core Strengths

Narrative Design & Creative Writing

Worldbuilding & Storytelling: Developed branching narratives and character arcs for large-scale mods like Fallout: Cascadia and Old World Blues, creating immersive lore that feels authentic to established universes while introducing fresh perspectives.

Dialogue & Character Development: Crafted multi-layered character interactions and player-driven conversations that respond to choices, creating meaningful agency through written content and systemic narrative design.

Area Design & Spatial Storytelling

Level Design: Architected game spaces in Winter's Hunger (Unreal Engine 5) and MSF: Mason Salvation Force (Unity) that reinforce narrative themes through layout, lighting, and environmental storytelling.

Systemic Integration: Designed areas where spatial layout directly impacts gameplay mechanics, player flow, and narrative pacing, ensuring every environmental choice serves the overall player experience.

Technical Skills

• Programming: C, C++, C#, GDscript, Blueprint scripting (Unreal), Papyrus scripting (Creation Kit)
• Engines & Tools: Unreal Engine 5, Unity, Creation Kit, Hammer Editor, Godot
• Quality Assurance: Playtesting, bug tracking, user experience optimization, systematic testing protocols

Project Management & Leadership

• Production: Agile project management, cross-disciplinary coordination, documentation systems
• Team Leadership: Sprint planning, milestone tracking, stakeholder communication

Career Focus

Seeking opportunities as a Narrative Designer and Game Designer where I can leverage my design abilities, worldbuilding expertise, and systematic approach to craft compelling player experiences that resonate long after the game ends.