Fanfiction as a Stepping Stone to Professional Game Writing

The journey from fanfiction enthusiast to professional game writer is one that Emma Kidwell has navigated with remarkable success. Growing up, her passion for storytelling began in online communities like DeviantArt, where she shared Twilight-inspired narratives. These early creative endeavors laid the groundwork for her transition into role-playing forums and eventually an enduring love for video games such as Mass Effect. Today, Kidwell’s career highlights include contributions to notable titles like Hindsight, Borderlands 4, Life Is Strange 2, and Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, alongside prestigious recognitions from Forbes and The Game Awards.

Currently, Kidwell is making waves not only by hosting the Independent Games Festival (IGF) awards at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco but also by discussing how her childhood experiences in fandoms have influenced her work on Marvel's Midnight Suns. According to her, crafting licensed characters shares similarities with fanfiction writing. Both require understanding established universes while adding personal touches. Despite its sometimes controversial reputation, fanfiction provides invaluable practice in character development and narrative exploration without rigid constraints. "It's your sandbox," Kidwell explains. "There are no rules, allowing you to experiment freely."

Inspiration flows seamlessly between gaming and fanfiction worlds. For projects like Midnight Suns, Kidwell embraced the challenge of selecting characters—such as Deadpool and Storm—from their comic origins rather than cinematic portrayals. This process mirrored creating original characters within role-playing settings, focusing on compatibility among established figures. While adhering to franchise guidelines may seem restrictive, Kidwell emphasizes the creative freedom available within these boundaries. She views IP writing as a bridge connecting fanfiction and traditional fiction, continuing her role-playing passion professionally now. Her involvement in communities like Dragon Age underscores this seamless evolution from hobbyist to acclaimed industry contributor.

Creative pursuits often begin modestly yet lead to extraordinary achievements. Emma Kidwell's story exemplifies how nurturing one's imagination through platforms like fanfiction can pave the way for impactful careers in entertainment. By embracing unconventional forms of expression, individuals contribute positively to cultural landscapes, proving that every voice matters in shaping tomorrow's stories.