Sophie Mallinson
✧ Game Designer
⚹ Creative Lead
Building playful experiences with ♡ + technology
I believe video games are the most powerful storytelling tool we have, with the biggest potential to shape how players see the world.
Work Experience
2024 - Present
TO BE CONTINUED
...the future is unwritten! ✨
Vancouver, BC
2019 - 2024
SENIOR SIMULATION DESIGNER
Maxis Studios | Remote
San Francisco, CA
2017 - 2019
PRINCIPAL NARRATIVE DESIGNER
Arkane Studios | On-site
Lyon, France
2024
LEAD GAME DESIGNER
Timbre Games | Hybrid
Vancouver, BC
2019
EXPERIENTIAL DESIGNER
Magnopus | Remote
Los Angeles, CA
2016 - 2017
LOCALIZATION WRITER
Accidental Queens | Remote
Lille, France
I paved the way for the future of The Sims as a simulation designer with a focus on story. My job involved setting a vision, leading prototype teams, and shepherding features from concept to completion.
"Sophie showed incredible resilience and an unmoved desire to step up to lead design process and focus the creative direction."
Lulu Vallano, Production Lead (Maxis Studios)
The Sims 4
Maxis Studios (EA)
Previously, I executed the live service strategy for The Sims 4 by delivering free base game updates and collaborating on the highly successful Cottage Living and Growing Together expansions.
Expo Dubai Xplorer
Magnopus x Hexagram
I’ve also had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work on the World Expo 2020 and its companion app. My role was to design mixed reality quests and creative tools for players on-site and around the globe.
Deathloop
Arkane Studios Lyon
As principal designer, I learned how to build a narrative team from the ground up. My duties included hiring and onboarding, fixing design processes and pipelines, and improving developer tools.
"She is comfortable in all areas involved in the craft, be it dialogue writing, narrative design documentation, technical implementation…"
Sandra “Sachka” Duval, Narrative Lead (Hinterland)
Dishonored: Death of the Outsider
Arkane Studios Lyon
Arkane Lyon made me the Swiss Army knife I am today. I did everything from prototyping narrative systems and writing full scripts to revamping our AI behaviors and voice casting for NPCs.
Lost Phone Stories
Accidental Queens
I have a background in localization, translating indie games from French into English. My most notable work was on the critically acclaimed Lost Phone Stories.
"Sophie is just a rockstar of a game designer. She has a naturally empathetic and systemic approach to designing that weaves heart into every facet of the game. Time and time again I watched Sophie take a tangle of complexity and make it make sense."
Carrie Matthews-Nicoli, Senior Experience Designer (Electronic Arts)
Say hello!
I’m in Vancouver, BC and open to remote or hybrid opportunities.
- Certified in Accessibility & Agile
- M.A. Interactive Storytelling
- Bilingual French-English
✉ hello@sophiemallinson.com