Dane Dal Bianco
Narrative Designer
danedalbianco@gmail.com
Supernova
Sci-fi FPS based around fast-paced movement, upgrades, and an expansive level to explore.
Story: A doomed star thief awakens an ancient evil on their quest for immortality. With the help of their protégé and a new snarky ally, they must battle through hordes of cosmic monsters to save themselves and the galaxy from death.
For this project, I worked with 7 other developers over the course of 6 months to create a feature complete FPS.
Since this was a Capstone, we had creative input from every member. After gathering preferences, I wrote a story concept and pitched it to the rest of the team and got it approved. However, part way through development our game changed from a rogue-like to an adventure FPS on one large level. I had designed the story to play on the nature of a rogue-like, so I retooled the story's delivery system and themes while still maintaining the core aspects team members liked.
Narrative Bible
Writing Sample
Context: This is the opening scene of the game. Nearly all dialogue plays through voice-over during gameplay.
Stars and Silence
Sci-fi/thriller visual novel made in Arcweave engine for a 72-hour game jam with a 6-person team.
Story: After finding most of her crew either dead of missing, a corporate spaceship captain must uncover a conspiracy while confronting resurfacing memories from her traumatic past.
For this game, I needed to work with 2 other writers I'd just met to develop a short visual novel within 72 hours.
We outlined our story together in a narrative bible, broke it down into eight sequences, split up work between myself and another writer with the third acting as an editor, then reviewed each piece together before implementing them into the engine.
Narrative Bible
Writing Sample
Context: This is the opening scene of the visual novel and takes place aboard a spaceship.
Horizon Employee Orientation Training
Satirical experience made in UE5 on my own that involves platforming, puzzles, and exploration.
Story: As a new employee of the Horizon company, you must complete a mandated training course that will test your physical strength, intelligence, and tolerance for chores. Have fun, it's mandatory!
For my class in level design, I had to create a story-driven game told through level design on my own without cinematics.
I created a series of comedic puzzles powered by UE5 Blueprint using interfaces, event dispatchers, and widgets in addition to the Unreal Engine sequencer for special events. Along with this, I wrote and voiced a character who would help guide the player through the level diegetically in tandem with the level layout.
Writing Sample
Context: The player wakes up in a sterile facility. Once they enter a large room, a mysterious but enthusiastic voice over an intercom speaks to them.
