Kimberley Wallace

As Features Editor at Game Informer, Wallace has redefined how critics approach storytelling in interactive media. Her work bridges academic analysis and accessible critique, particularly focused on:

  • Character-Driven Design: How gameplay systems express personality and relationships
  • Cultural Revival: Modern relevance of retro narrative styles
  • Empathy Mechanics: Emotional intelligence as gameplay innovation

Pitching Priorities

  • Do Highlight:
    • Narrative risks in AA/indie development
    • Historical research informing game worlds
    • Accessibility features enhancing story immersion
  • Avoid:
    • Pure technical spec discussions
    • Multiplayer-focused design
    • Licensed IP without innovative storytelling

Recent recognition includes featuring in the Pell Center's Arts & Policy series and shaping Game Informer's acclaimed 2024 "Future of Storytelling" issue.

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More About Kimberley Wallace

Bio

Career Trajectory: From Story Enthusiast to Gaming Narrative Authority

Kimberley Wallace has carved a unique niche in gaming journalism by blending her passion for storytelling with sharp critical analysis. As Features Editor at Game Informer, she elevates discussions about narrative depth and character-driven experiences in an industry often fixated on technical specs and mechanics.

Early Foundations in Critical Analysis

Wallace's journey began with bylines at outlets like RPGFan, where she honed her ability to dissect complex game narratives. Her 2021 interview on "I've Got a Cool Job" reveals how childhood storytelling instincts evolved into professional critique: "I was always that kid analyzing why certain stories resonated... Now I get to have those conversations with developers."

Game Informer Leadership (2018-Present)

  • Pioneered deep-dive features exploring gaming's intersection with literature and film
  • Championed coverage of indie narrative experiments alongside AAA titles
  • Developed signature interview style focusing on creative process over marketing talking points

Defining Works: Three Pillars of Narrative Criticism

Horizon Forbidden West: Raising the Bar for Open-World Storytelling

Wallace's 2022 review dissects Guerrilla Games' sequel through a narrative lens, praising how Aloy's journey "transcends typical hero arcs to explore environmental stewardship and cultural memory." Her analysis highlights:

"The game's true innovation lies in making ecological collapse feel personally urgent through character relationships rather than apocalyptic spectacle."

This piece demonstrates her ability to connect gameplay mechanics to broader thematic concerns, a hallmark of her critical approach.

Life is Strange: True Colors - Emotional Intelligence as Game Mechanic

In this 2021 analysis, Wallace examines Deck Nine's use of empathy-based gameplay:

"Alex Chen's supernatural empathy isn't just a plot device - it's a radical argument for emotional vulnerability as strength."

The review positions the game within contemporary mental health discourse while critiquing narrative pacing, showcasing Wallace's balance of cultural analysis and genre expertise.

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles: Reviving Historical Mystery

Wallace's 2021 retrospective celebrates Capcom's visual novel revival while questioning cultural representation:

"These games invite us to enjoy Victorian-era intrigue while subtly interrogating Western literary tropes through Japanese design sensibilities."

This piece exemplifies her talent for contextualizing remakes within modern gaming conversations about cultural authenticity.

Pitching Insights: Aligning with Narrative Priorities

1. Lead with Character-Driven Mechanics

Wallace consistently prioritizes games where narrative and gameplay systems interlock organically. Her praise for Triangle Strategy's choice-driven storytelling ("forces players to confront real-world injustices through tactical decisions") suggests receptiveness to pitches highlighting:

  • Novel dialogue systems impacting world state
  • Character relationships altering gameplay options
  • Moral dilemmas with mechanical consequences

2. Highlight Thematic Ambition in AA/Indie Titles

While covering AAA franchises, Wallace often spotlights smaller studios pushing narrative boundaries. Her analysis of Lost Words: Beyond The Page ("tackles complex human conditions through diary mechanics") indicates interest in:

  • Experimental narrative structures
  • Personal stories from diverse development teams
  • Games using interactive fiction for social commentary

3. Contextualize Remakes/Rereleases Culturally

Wallace's Great Ace Attorney analysis demonstrates her preference for pitches that frame retro revivals through modern lenses. Effective angles might include:

  • Historical research informing contemporary relevance
  • Localization choices reflecting current cultural values
  • Art style updates bridging generational gaming tastes

Awards and Industry Recognition

Pell Center Featured Speaker (2023)

Wallace's invitation to discuss "Video Games as 21st-Century Literature" at this prestigious policy institute underscores her growing influence in bridging gaming and cultural studies. Her presentation argued for:

"Interactive storytelling as a unique vehicle for building historical empathy across generations."

Game Informer Editorial Leadership Award (2022)

This internal recognition highlights Wallace's impact shaping the publication's narrative focus. Under her features editorship, Game Informer increased coverage of:

  • Indie narrative experiments (+40% YOY)
  • Behind-the-scenes developer interviews (+25%)
  • Cross-media storytelling analysis

Top Articles

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