About The Game Narrative Lab

cartoon of group of people talking

The Game Narrative Lab is a research and development space based at Kennesaw State University that focuses on video game narratives and users' experiences.  This lab focuses on how game narratives can affect human behavior and communities.

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  • Resources: The lab allows students to access a variety of games, platforms, and resources on game narrative design.  

  • Writing: This lab provides a space for students to create their own game narratives. As a group, members of this lab collaborate on the creation of an original game in a setting, not unlike those found in professional game studios. We focus on games that promote empathy and awareness of social issues.

 

Victoria Lagrange, Director

Assistant Professor of Game Narrative at Kennesaw State University

Ph.D. French and Comparative Media Studies (Indiana University, 2022). Ph.D. Comparative Literature (Université de Poitiers, 2021). Victoria Lagrange is Assistant Professor at Kennesaw State University. Her research focuses on interactive narratives, empathy, and user experience in video games. Recent publications include an article on “Choosing and Enjoying Violence” in PLOS One.

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victoria lagrange

 

Interested in the lab and want to learn more? Please feel free to contact us through this form. 

 

News

  • corp inc game on stream with game description Newly hired for a revitalization program, work against a ticking clock and navigate a skeptical boss, a lousy friend, and discrimination while making hiring decisions. Interactive narrative with timed decisions Critical thinking Prosocial Empathy
    The Game Narrative Lab (GNL) First NEW Game distributed by the KSU Game Studio on Steam! 

    View Game
  • The Game Narrative Lab welcomed five First Year Scholars this September 2024! Nicole, Kyle, Kayla, Jordan, and Jess will work on programming, art, and research. These talented scholars will collaborate on cutting-edge projects aimed at advancing the lab’s focus on prosocial games.
  • corporation inc game screenshot

    Corporation Inc. puts the players into the shoes of Maria Villalobos, a 25-year-old Honduran native who comes to the United States to work at Corporation Incorporated as their new hiring manager in their ‘revitalization program’. Maria is put on a one-week trial in which she must review 25 applicants daily while judging their qualifications and skillsets. In addition to working against a ticking clock, she has to exercise critical thinking while navigating a skeptical boss, a lousy friend, and the discrimination most immigrants face upon their arrival to America. It’s up to the player how they navigate their first week at Corporation Incorporated.

    The Game Narrative Lab at Kennesaw State University
    Official release: December 15, 2023 at the SIEGE Indie Playground at Dream Hack Atlanta
    Winner of the Critical Thinking Game Design Challenge by Jennifer Ann's Group

    Read the press release

  • critical thinker game logo

    Jennifer Ann’s Group, a leading nonprofit charity dedicated to violence prevention, is proud to announce the winners of the annual Life. Love. Game Design Challenge™. This prestigious competition, now in its 16th year, showcases the power of intentional game design to foster critical thinking and nonviolent engagement among young people. 

    Since its inception in 2008, Jennifer Ann’s Group's Gaming Against Violence™ program has gained widespread recognition for its groundbreaking approach to violence prevention. By harnessing the interactive nature of prosocial video games, the challenge seeks to promote thoughtful problem-solving, empathy, and positive social behaviors among players through a trauma-informed lens.

    Critical Thi­nking Games, video games intentionally designed to teach critical thinking. Presented by the Gaming Against Violence program from Jennifer Ann's Group, a nonprofit charity.

Meet the Team

The students and faculty that make the lab happen.

Anaiya Tucker

Anaiya Tucker

Unity Development Team & Research Team 

Undergraduate Student at Kennesaw State University, Game Design Major.

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Hannah Hereth

Hannah Hereth

Unity Development Team, UI Artist

KSU Alumni

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  • amber casper

    Amber Casper

    Art Team Lead 

    KSU Alumni.

    Johnathon Reid Autry

    Johnathon Reid Autry

    Unity Development Lead

    Undergraduate Student at Kennesaw State University, Computer Game Design and Development Major.

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    Katherine Simons

    Katherine Simons

    Project Lead and Narrative Team member 

    KSU Graduate with a Degree in English 

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    Anthony Polidura

    Anthony Polidura

    Narrative Team

    KSU Alumni.

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    Courtney Chester

    Courtney Chester

    Narrative Team

    Graduate student in the MAPW program.

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    Cole Andrews

    Cole Andrews

    Narrative Team

    Undergraduate Student at Kennesaw State University, Interactive Design Major, Game Design Minor.

    "I am a game designer with a specialization in creating interactive narratives that enhance immersion and player choice. Current research/projects includes the Narrative Lab and projects involving Unreal Engine 5."

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    Primo C. Murillo Jr.

    Primo C. Murillo Jr.

    Narrative Team

    Graduate Student in the MAPW Program.

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    Kyle Surajh

    Kyle Surajh

    Development & Research Team 

    Computer Science Major

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    Kayla Benthall

    Kayla Benthall

    Art team 

    Digital Animation Major 

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    Nicole Prudchenko
     
     

    Nicole Prudchenko

    Art Team 

    Illustration Major 

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    Logan Haines

    Logan Haines

    Narrative Team 

    Computer and Game Design and Development Major 

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    Jordan Carvalho

    Jordan Carvalho

    Development Team
     
    Computer Engineering Major 

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    Fabiola De La Torre

    Fabiola De La Torre

    Art Team 

    Digital Animation Major 

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    Taylor Werle

    Taylor Werle

    Art Team

    Digital Animation Major 

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    Frederick Drayton

    Frederick Drayton

    Narrative Team
     

    Graduate Student in the MAPW Program. 

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    Jessica McDonald

    Jessica McDonald

    Art Team, Development Team, Research Team 

    Computer Game Design and Development Major 

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    Kayla Brooks

    Kayla Brooks

    Development team, UX Design 

    Interactive Design Major 

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    Connor Clifton

    Connor Clifton

    Narrative Team 

    Computer Game Design and Development Major 

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    Maggie Korn

    Maggie Korn

    Art Team 

    KSU Alumni (Interdisciplinary Studies Major)

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    Adam Palmer

    Adam Palmer

    Narrative Team 

    Computer Game Design and Development Major

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  • Aidan Fushimi: Unity Development Team 

    Bryce Bottegal: Character Lead, Art Team 

    Andy Hollingworth: Art Team 

    Josh Lasky: Narrative Team 

    DeVon Adams: Narrative Team, Project Manager

    Milo Wilson: Development Team

    Katelyn Buell: UI Artist

    Amelia Barnett: Former Art Director

    Evan Hodges: Music Composer

    Hyuna Lee: Volunteer Character Artist

    Kylie Wester: Character Artist (Resume Portraits)

    Keith Rhymer: Character Artist (Resume Portraits)

    Bryce Bottegal: Character Artist (Main Characters)

    Neo Toms: Character Artist (Main Characters)

    Angelique Cooper: Background Artist

    Hannah Riddick: Background Artist