'War Stories - Action Is for the Moment, but Stories Can Empower or Haunt Far Beyond the Game'

In this talk I will share how my own experiences as a war journalist and how the experiences of my team have shaped the storytelling in our games and simulations. Providing a glimpse behind the scenes, I will explore how we use the power of stories to create truly authentic, deeply engaging characters, worlds and intensely immersive experiences.
By taking a look at the neuroscience and psychology of immersion I will discuss why and how these experiences allow us to empower, inspire and in some cases even enable our players to rewire their brains, creating an impact that lasts far beyond the game.
Finally I will take a look at our most recent story-telling challenge: creating equally  immersive and engaging stories for VR.

Audience
The talk is aimed at writers involved in developing game narratives but equally addresses overall design challenges and approaches to games and how they influence their players minds. Therefore it is relevant to a wider range of professionals involved in game design and creation.