Rhianna Pratchett

Last updated

Rhianna Pratchett
Rhianna Pratchett at GDC 2016 (cropped) 2.jpg
Pratchett at the 2016 Game Developers Conference
Born (1976-12-30) 30 December 1976 (age 47)
Rowberrow, Somerset, England
OccupationWriter
GenreVideo games, fantasy
Notable works Heavenly Sword , Mirror's Edge , Tomb Raider , Rise of the Tomb Raider
Relatives Terry Pratchett (father)
Pratchett's voice
from the BBC programme Front Row , 26 December 2013 [1]
Website
rhiannapratchett.com

Rhianna Pratchett (born 30 December 1976) is an English video game writer and journalist. [2] [3] She has worked on Heavenly Sword (2007), Overlord (2007), Mirror's Edge (2008) and Tomb Raider (2013) and its follow up, Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015), among others. She is the daughter of fantasy writer Terry Pratchett. [4]

Contents

Career

Rhianna Pratchett studied journalism at the London College of Printing. Following graduation, Pratchett began writing for Minx magazine, where her first games reviews were published. [5] She moved to the long running PC Zone magazine [6] as an editorial assistant, staff writer, eventually becoming a section editor. She wrote for many other publications including The Guardian . [7]

Pratchett moved into script writing and narrative design in 2002, with Beyond Divinity , produced by Larian Studios in Belgium. [8] She also wrote a novella to accompany the game. In 2007, her work on Heavenly Sword was nominated for a BAFTA and a year later she won a Writers' Guild of Great Britain 'Best Videogame Script' award for Overlord . [9] Pratchett wrote the comic Tomb Raider: The Beginning with Dark Horse and the Mirror's Edge miniseries with DC Comics, along with several of her own short stories. She has contributed to various books on games narrative including Professional Techniques for Video Game Writing and Game Writing: Narrative Skills for Videogames. [10]

Since 2012, she has been co-director of Narrativia Limited, a production company which holds exclusive multimedia and merchandising rights to her father Terry Pratchett's works following his death. [11] In 2012 and 2013, Narrativia announced that it would be working on three television projects based on Pratchett's father's works: The Watch , Good Omens , and Wee Free Men , as well as several other projects; Pratchett was reported as co-writer of The Watch [12] [13] but in 2019 she announced she had not been involved in the project "for many years". [14] In a deal announced in April 2020, multiple Discworld novels are to be adapted for television by Narrativia, Motive Pictures and Endeavor Content. [15]

She has also spoken on BBC Radio 1, Radio 4, 5Live and multiple conferences around the world, including Develop, Animex, GDC and TEDx Transmedia. [16] In June 2015, she said that her father's 41st Discworld novel The Shepherd's Crown , to be published posthumously later that year, would mark the end of the series, and that no further novels or books of unfinished work would be authorised for publication. [17]

In 2023, Pratchett hosted her first radio programme, Mythical Creatures, a ten-part documentary series for BBC Radio 4 about creatures from British folklore. It was first broadcast from 18–29 December 2023. [18]

Works

Video games

Gamebooks

Other books

Tabletop games

Comics

Film and television

Pratchett has appeared in the documentaries Games Britannia, [40] Critical Path [41] and Charlie Brooker's How Video Games Changed the World.[ citation needed ]

Achievements

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terry Pratchett</span> English fantasy author (1948–2015)

Sir Terence David John Pratchett was an English author, humorist, and satirist, best known for the Discworld series of 41 comic fantasy novels published between 1983 and 2015, and for the apocalyptic comedy novel Good Omens (1990), which he co-wrote with Neil Gaiman.

<i>The Wee Free Men</i> 2003 Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett

The Wee Free Men is a 2003 comic fantasy novel by British writer Terry Pratchett, which takes place in his Discworld setting. It is labelled a "Story of Discworld" to indicate its status as children's or young adult fiction, unlike most of the books in the Discworld series. A sequel, A Hat Full of Sky, appeared in 2004 ; a third book called Wintersmith appeared in 2006; and the fourth, I Shall Wear Midnight, was released in September 2010. The final book in the series, The Shepherd's Crown, was released in 2015.

<i>Discworld II: Missing Presumed...!?</i> 1996 video game

Discworld II: Missing Presumed...!? is a 1996 point-and-click adventure game based on Terry Pratchett's series of fantasy novels set on the mythical Discworld, and sequel to the 1995 video game of the same name. The story sees players assume the role of Rincewind the "wizzard" as he becomes burdened with the task of finding Death and coercing him out of an impromptu retirement and back into his regular duties. The game's plot borrows from a number of Discworld books, including key elements from Reaper Man and Moving Pictures.

<i>Discworld</i> (video game) Point-and-click adventure video game

Discworld is a point-and-click adventure game developed by Teeny Weeny Games and Perfect 10 Productions and published by Psygnosis. It is based on Terry Pratchett's novels of the same name. Players assume the role of Rincewind the "wizzard", voiced by Eric Idle, as he becomes involved in exploring the Discworld for the means to prevent a dragon terrorising the city of Ankh-Morpork. The game's story borrows elements from several Discworld novels, with its central plot loosely based on the events in Guards! Guards!

<i>Discworld Noir</i> 1999 video game

Discworld Noir is a 1999 adventure game developed by Perfect Entertainment and published by GT Interactive. The game is set in Terry Pratchett's satirical Discworld universe, and follows its first and only private investigator as he is given a case leading him into the deadly and occult underbelly of the Discworld's largest city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toby Gard</span> English video game character designer

Toby Gard is an English video game character designer and consultant. He was part of the team that created fictional female British archaeologist Lara Croft. Lara Croft was awarded a Guinness World Record recognizing her as the "most successful human video game heroine".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Discworld Diary</span> Themed diaries by Terry Pratchett

The Discworld Diaries are a series of themed diaries based on the Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett. Each one is based on an Ankh-Morpork institution, and has an opening section containing information about that institution written by Pratchett and Stephen Briggs.

<i>Overlord</i> (2007 video game) 2007 action role-playing video game

Overlord is an action role-playing video game developed by Triumph Studios and published by Codemasters for Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, Linux and PlayStation 3. It was released in 2007 in North America on 26 June, in Europe on 29 June and Australia on 6 July.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rowberrow</span> Human settlement in England

Rowberrow is a small village and former civil parish, now in the parish of Shipham in the Somerset district, in the ceremonial county of Somerset, England. In 1931 the parish had a population of 56. On 1 April 1933 the parish was abolished and merged with Shipham.

<i>Mirrors Edge</i> 2008 video game

Mirror's Edge is a 2008 action-adventure platform game developed by DICE and published by Electronic Arts. The game was released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in November 2008, and for Windows in January 2009. Set in a near-future city, it follows the story of Faith Connors, an underground parkour courier who transmits messages while evading government surveillance. To progress through the game, the player must control Faith from a first-person perspective and complete a series of levels that involve performing a sequence of acrobatic maneuvers, including jumping between rooftops, running across walls, and sliding down zip lines.

<i>Tomb Raider</i> (comics) Comic books based on the Tomb Raider video games

The Tomb Raider comic book series is based on the video game franchise Tomb Raider, currently produced by Crystal Dynamics, which features the character of Lara Croft. The original series of comics, which were released between 1999 and 2005, was published by Top Cow and was primarily based on the games released by Core Design. In 2014, following the reboot of the Tomb Raider franchise, the series was revived and is currently being published by Dark Horse Comics. The new timeline of events is based upon the rebooted iteration of Lara Croft and her adventures.

<i>Overlord: Raising Hell</i> 2008 video game

Overlord: Raising Hell is the expansion to the 2007 action role-playing game Overlord, which was released for download over Xbox Live for the Xbox 360 version and online for the PC version on 15 February 2008, alongside additional multiplayer add-ons. A PlayStation 3 version of Overlord was released in June 2008 including the downloadable content.

<i>Overlord II</i> 2009 video game

Overlord II is a 2009 action role-playing game and sequel to the 2007 video game Overlord and its 2008 expansion pack in the form of Overlord: Raising Hell. It was developed by Triumph Studios and published by Codemasters for PlayStation 3, Windows, and Xbox 360. All versions were released in North America on 23 June 2009, in Europe on 26 June and Australia on 9 July 2009, alongside two spin-offs; Overlord: Dark Legend and Overlord: Minions for the Wii and the Nintendo DS, respectively. Ports for Linux and OS X were released on 26 July 2016.

Dungeon Hero was a role-playing video game under development by Firefly Studios. It had been in development for several years and had been scheduled to be released in 2009 for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360. Originally being published by Gamecock Media Group until they were bought out by SouthPeak Games in October 2008. Firefly Studios announced that the title was originally put 'on hold', before being cancelled.

<i>Discworld</i> Fantasy book series by Terry Pratchett

Discworld is a comic fantasy book series written by the English author Terry Pratchett, set on the Discworld, a flat planet balanced on the backs of four elephants which in turn stand on the back of a giant turtle. The series began in 1983 with The Colour of Magic and continued until the final novel The Shepherd's Crown, which was published in 2015, following Pratchett's death. The books frequently parody or take inspiration from classic works, usually fantasy or science fiction, as well as mythology, folklore and fairy tales, and often use them for satirical parallels with cultural, political and scientific issues.

The Watch is a fantasy police procedural television programme inspired by the Ankh-Morpork City Watch from the Discworld series of fantasy novels by Terry Pratchett. The series, developed by BBC Studios for BBC America, premiered on 3 January 2021 and was released on BBC iPlayer on 1 July 2021.

<i>Rise of the Tomb Raider</i> 2015 video game

Rise of the Tomb Raider is a 2015 action-adventure game developed by Crystal Dynamics and published by Microsoft Studios and Square Enix. The game is the eleventh main entry in the Tomb Raider series, the sequel to the 2013's Tomb Raider, and is the second instalment in the Survivor trilogy. Its story follows Lara Croft as she ventures into Siberia in search of the legendary city of Kitezh while battling the paramilitary organization Trinity, which intends to uncover the city's promise of immortality. Lara must traverse the environment and combat enemies with firearms and stealth as she explores semi-open hubs. In these hubs she can raid challenge tombs to unlock new rewards, complete side missions, and scavenge for resources which can be used to craft useful materials.

Faith Connors, also known by her alias Phoenix Carpenter, is a fictional character and the protagonist of the 2008 action video game Mirror's Edge. Presented in the game as a "Runner", Faith transports items for revolutionary groups hiding from the totalitarian government. In addition to the game, Faith also starred in its comic tie-in, and appears in the game's reboot, Mirror's Edge Catalyst.

<i>Overlord: Fellowship of Evil</i> 2015 video game

Overlord: Fellowship of Evil is a fantasy action role-playing game developed and published by Codemasters. It is a spin-off of the Overlord series and was released on October 20, 2015 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

Modiphius Entertainment is a tabletop role-playing game and board game publisher based in Fulham, London that is known for licensed adaptations of established media. Notable titles include Star Trek Adventures, Fallout the Roleplaying Game,Dune: Adventures in the Imperium, Terry Pratchett’s Discworld: Adventures in Ankh-Morpork, and the Mass Effect board game.

References

  1. ↑ "Rhianna Pratchett". Front Row. 26 December 2013. BBC Radio 4. Archived from the original on 19 January 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  2. ↑ Gilbert, Ben (27 March 2009). "GDC09: Rhianna Pratchett says games should forget about making people cry". Engadget. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  3. ↑ "Rhianna Pratchett interview". Multiplay UK. 16 February 2005. Archived from the original on 16 February 2005. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  4. ↑ "Rhianna Pratchett: Fantasy author's quest for mythical creatures". 21 December 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  5. ↑ Timmer, John (28 June 2007). "Talking with Rhianna Pratchett, writer and co-story designer of Overlord". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 23 January 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  6. ↑ "Rhianna Pratchett On Working From Bed, Retrofitting Story, And Rise Of The Tomb Raider". Kotaku Australia. 17 October 2018. Archived from the original on 29 August 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  7. ↑ "Rhianna Pratchett's Profile". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 29 May 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  8. 1 2 russpitts (3 September 2014). "Rhianna's rise: Meet the writer behind Tomb Raider". Polygon. Archived from the original on 22 April 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  9. ↑ UAL (8 June 2018). "Honorary Awards 2017". UAL. Archived from the original on 22 April 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  10. ↑ Leigh, Megan (13 July 2017). "Writing video games with Rhianna Pratchett". Archived from the original on 25 September 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  11. ↑ Maureen Paton (14 March 2015). "It was like having a full-sized hobbit for a father". Telegraph.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 July 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  12. ↑ "Terry Pratchett: Sex, death and nature". New Statesman. 21 November 2012. Archived from the original on 14 March 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  13. ↑ "Meet Rhianna Pratchett – The woman behind the Lara Croft backstory". 6 October 2016. Archived from the original on 7 October 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  14. ↑ Pratchett, Rhianna (10 August 2019). "@rhipratchett on Twitter". Twitter. Archived from the original on 25 December 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2020. Just to be clear (since I'm asked this a lot) I am not working on The Watch TV series, and haven't been for many years. The show is under the creative control of BBC Studios.
  15. ↑ Ravindran, Manori (28 April 2020). "Terry Pratchett's 'Discworld' Series to Be Adapted by Endeavor Content, Motive Pictures". Variety . Archived from the original on 28 April 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  16. ↑ "The Future of the Videogames Writer: Rhianna Pratchett at TEDxTransmedia". YouTube. 21 January 2013. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  17. ↑ Terry Pratchett's daughter declares The Shepherd's Crown will be the last Discworld novel Archived 26 October 2019 at the Wayback Machine , The Guardian, 12 June 2015
  18. ↑ "Mythical Creatures". The Radio Times. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  19. ↑ I. G. N. Staff (24 June 2004). "Beyond Divinity Q&A with Rhianna Pratchett at LewsTherinKinslayer13". IGN. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  20. ↑ "Vital Game Narrative: A Conversation With Rhianna Pratchett". www.gamedeveloper.com. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  21. ↑ "Writers' Guild Awards 2008 – shortlists". WGGB – The Writer's Guild of Great Britain. 30 September 2008. Archived from the original on 29 September 2008. Retrieved 5 May 2009.
  22. ↑ "Rhianna Pratchett interview: writing for the Overlord". Den of Geek. 19 June 2008. Archived from the original on 7 July 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  23. ↑ "Review: 'Viking: Battle for Asgard' a weekend skirmish - CNN.com". edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  24. ↑ "Mirror's Edge writer Rhianna Pratchett isn't working on Mirror's Edge 2". Eurogamer.net. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  25. 1 2 Andy Chalk (27 March 2020). "Tomb Raider writer Rhianna Pratchett's new game is out today, exclusively on Stadia". PC Gamer. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  26. ↑ Bonner, Jerry. "Rhianna Pratchett on the Art of Writing Video Game Characters". Wired. ISSN   1059-1028 . Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  27. 1 2 "Pratchett returns for 'Overlord' sequels". Digital Spy. 17 October 2008. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  28. 1 2 "Rhianna Pratchett ('Overlord')". Digital Spy. 28 June 2009. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  29. ↑ "Rhianna Pratchett – Games". rhiannapratchett.com. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  30. ↑ "Review: CSI: Fatal Conspiracy". Destructoid. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  31. 1 2 Makuch, Eddie (22 October 2018). "Tomb Raider Writer Rhianna Pratchett To Give PAX Australia Keynote With A Twist". Archived from the original on 5 December 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  32. ↑ "'Beatbuddy' release date announced". Digital Spy. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  33. ↑ "Rival Kingdoms from Space Ape". rivalkingdoms.com. Archived from the original on 1 April 2022. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  34. ↑ "Pratchett-penned Lost Words: Beyond the Page heads to Switch". 7 June 2019. Archived from the original on 21 October 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  35. ↑ "Surgeon Simulator 2 Store Page". Epic Games Store. Archived from the original on 24 August 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  36. ↑ "With Crystal of Storms, Rhianna Pratchett Helps Reboot Fighting Fantasy Roleplay Books". 30 September 2020. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  37. ↑ Manni Henry (26 July 2021). "Review: Campaigns & Companions: The Complete Role-Playing Guide for Pets by Rhianna Pratchett and Andi Ewington" . Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  38. ↑ "Here Be Legends: 12 Bardsung Guest Writers". 20 November 2020. Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  39. ↑ "Mirror's Edge". Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  40. ↑ ""Games Britannia" Joystick Generation (TV Episode 2009) – IMDb". IMDb . Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  41. ↑ "Critical Path Celebrates Fifth Year Of Production With 46 New Videos". Game Informer . Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  42. ↑ "2016 Writers Guild Awards Winners Announced". Writers Guild of America, West. 12 February 2016. Archived from the original on 21 March 2016.
  43. ↑ "Tomb Raider writer Rhianna Pratchett leaves Crystal Dynamics for 'new adventures'". Destructoid. 3 January 2017.
  44. ↑ of Great Britain, Writers' Guild. "Writers' Guild Awards 2010 – shortlists announced". Archived from the original on 4 November 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
  45. ↑ "European Women in Games Hall of Fame". womeningamesjobs.com. Archived from the original on 21 March 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.