Gregory Aaron Kramer
Author • Gamer • Analyst
Twelve-year computer and video game industry veteran with a reputation for intuitively deconstructing game designs and targeting their strengths and weaknesses.
Concise and nimble writer, adept at producing large projects on extremely short schedules with little direct supervision.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Strategy Guide Author (April 1997-Present)
Clients: Prima Games, BradyGames, GameGuides.com
· Produce dynamic, well-organized, exhaustively detailed game strategy guides for elite, best-selling franchises such as SimCity, The Sims, and Civilization. Resulting guides used by many developers as de facto design bibles.
· Work onsite with major developers to understand and analyze each game’s underlying structure, frequently contributing late design refinements and revealing overlooked playability issues.
· Specialize in explaining the intricate underpinnings of complex games in non-technical terms intelligible to players of all ages and abilities.
· Manage myriad elements of the publication process: drafting, generating and enhancing charts and illustrations, and coding manuscripts to aid editors and designers in creating accessible, interesting layouts.
Reviewer (April 1995-Present)
Clients: Computer Gaming World Magazine/1UP.com, MacAddict Magazine, MacHome Journal Magazine, Next Generation Online, MacSense Magazine, Inside Mac Games Magazine
· Review games for preeminent print and online computer gaming publications, focusing a discriminating player’s eye on each game’s merits, cultural context, and place in the market.
Writer, Editor, Correspondent, and Columnist (April 1995-2004)
Clients: Peachpit Press, Mars Publishing, MCV USA, Next Generation Online, Digital Diner Magazine, MacSense Magazine
· Authored dozens of product reviews, news briefs, opinion columns, developer interviews, feature articles, and hint guides for influential print, online, and CD-based publications.
· Penned product summaries for three consecutive editions of bestselling reference The Macintosh Bible.
· Co-authored detailed user manual for Fly, a state-of-the-art flight simulator game. Worked closely with design team during the mid-to-final stages of production, documenting complicated and frequently changing features.
· Created “Cerebreality,” a humor and opinion column about Internet culture for monthly online and CD-based computer magazine.
· Assumed editorial positions, supervising over twenty contributors and managing assets for publication.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
· Software Development: Perforce and DevTracker, introductory experience.
· Desktop Publishing: Adobe Photoshop Elements and Photoshop
· Word Processing: Microsoft Word
· Spreadsheet: Microsoft Excel
· Operating Systems: Experienced user of Windows XP and 2000. Expert high-level user of Macintosh OS X.
· Layout: Manuscript coding for QuarkXPress 5/6
EDUCATION:
· Juris Doctor, University of Maryland School of Law, Baltimore, Maryland
· Bachelor of Arts Degree in English, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
REFERENCES:
Contact information available upon request:
- Frank Simon, Senior Producer, Sony Computer Entertainment America
- Tim LeTourneau, Executive Producer, Electronic Arts
- Kevin Hogan, Development Director, Electronic Arts
- Paul Murphy, Designer, Firaxis Games
- Oliver Purkiss, Technical Designer, Lionhead Studios
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