ABOUT ME
Hiya!
I'm Ali Benice, and thank you for coming to my TED Talk.
Having studied product and graphic design, I began my career in 2012 as an artist and storyteller, illustrating and translating children’s books for publishing houses. Unlike what science says, everything did NOT start with a Big Bang for me, at least not in a Discworld sense.
But rest assured, I do have style.
I focus on novels, game narratives, and comics. With experience in writing both humor and horror for kids and adults, I like to think of myself as the improbable love child of Stephen King and Dr. Seuss. Things could never work out between those two geniuses, but at least you have me!
I also have a long-running background in TTRPGs as both a player and game master, having built my own universe complete with unique rules, nations, cultures, myths, technologies, landscapes, and magic systems. So basically, if you ever need someone to design a Halloween-themed treasure-hunting birthday party for your kid, I’m your clown for hire.
Since 2020, I’ve worked as a writer and artist in the games industry, contributing narratives, art, and UI assets to:
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Good Game Design Folks' RISE ACHLYS (Narrative Director and Game Artist - in production)
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Digital Nomad's AZADI ONLINE (UI Designer - in production)
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InfiniteX's Odyssey projects (Game and Screenwriter, Narrative Designer - in production)
Me, failing at playing Mona Lisa!
I’m also the author of three published books and the recipient of two literature awards from TUDEM Publishing House’s annual competition. And yes, they’re all in Turkish, but if you’ve read this far in English, I must be doing something right.
As a game writer and narrative designer, I wear more hats than the Mad Hatter (and I’m mostly sane). My skills include worldbuilding, character creation, dialogue writing, story development, branching narratives, quest design, cutscene direction, collaborative art development, and voice-acting guidance. Thanks to my background in illustration, I also create storyboards, props, UI elements, and concept art.
Most recently, I completed a near ten-month project with InfiniteX as their sole writer and narrative designer, developing the lore and core story elements for their sci-fi setting, "Odyssey," which includes a card game and an upcoming MOBA. Before that, I worked as a freelancer on all narrative elements (as well as the game art, partly) of "Rise Achlys," crafted by Good Game Design Folks, graduates of BUG Lab TEKMER’s pre-incubation program. I also write TTRPG adventure modules and draw maps for The MAD Network as a contract team member. And I’m simultaneously developing two novels and two comic books.
Too many projects, not enough time, and no rest for the wickedly virtuous.
Curious to know more about my work, my skills, or the perfect Pokémon Go shot?
Please, do check out my sample works, resume, and publications.