The AIAS Game Maker's Notebook Narrative Design in DISPATCH with Director Nick Herman
Jan 19, 2026
Nick Herman, co-founder and director at AdHoc Studio, dives into the creation of their narrative game, Dispatch. He shares how funding challenges led to a partnership with Critical Role and discusses their unique approach to the superhero genre. Balancing player choice with a compelling narrative was key, as was designing a game that feels accessible yet deep. Nick reveals insights from player testing and the importance of community feedback, rounding off with advice for aspiring narrative developers.
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From Intern To Creative Director
- Nick Herman accidentally entered games through a marketing internship and rose from trailer editor to creative director over a decade.
- Working at Telltale taught him cinematic and narrative craft that shaped his later studio choices.
First Impressions Are Visual
- Visual fidelity can be the single barrier that keeps mainstream players from trying interactive narratives.
- Once players are visually engaged, narrative and gameplay become the decisive factors for retention.
Start With Story, Trim The Extras
- Design games around story first, then add gameplay that naturally supports the characters and themes.
- Strip out features that don't serve the narrative to keep scope manageable.
