Karrie Shirou Shao
@karriebear.bsky.social
✏ BAFTA & Nebula-Nominated Lead Writer & Lead Narrative: Pacific Drive
🏆 BAFTA Breakthrough 2024
⭐ Marketing: SCMedia
⚒ Past: Riot, tinyBuild, Arc System Works, Per Aspera, Totemic
✉ shao.karrie@gmail.com
🧐 karries.carrd.co
🏆 BAFTA Breakthrough 2024
⭐ Marketing: SCMedia
⚒ Past: Riot, tinyBuild, Arc System Works, Per Aspera, Totemic
✉ shao.karrie@gmail.com
🧐 karries.carrd.co
Pinned
Hi Bluesky! I'm Karrie Shirou Shao.
I'm the Lead Narrative Designer & Lead Writer of Pacific Drive, a 2024 best-selling supernatural driving game described as "Stephen King's X-Files in a Station Wagon". I wrote the main story and all its voiced dialogue, designed missions and...
I'm the Lead Narrative Designer & Lead Writer of Pacific Drive, a 2024 best-selling supernatural driving game described as "Stephen King's X-Files in a Station Wagon". I wrote the main story and all its voiced dialogue, designed missions and...
Reposted by Karrie Shirou Shao
This is so cool! It's such a huge compliment that our video game would compel a person to make a bot, I'm so pleased!!
Huge props to @karriebear.bsky.social and @paullicino.bsky.social for all of the actual words in the game, of course.
Huge props to @karriebear.bsky.social and @paullicino.bsky.social for all of the actual words in the game, of course.
ok done! here is @pacificdrivequotes.bsky.social, a bot that will post quotes from Pacific Drive every 6 hours.
this game's writing is really so good, i love how it constantly switches between ominous, witty and poetic prose, and i wanted to pay a lil tribute by making this bot
this game's writing is really so good, i love how it constantly switches between ominous, witty and poetic prose, and i wanted to pay a lil tribute by making this bot
currently making something for this site eheheh
January 2, 2026 at 2:59 AM
This is so cool! It's such a huge compliment that our video game would compel a person to make a bot, I'm so pleased!!
Huge props to @karriebear.bsky.social and @paullicino.bsky.social for all of the actual words in the game, of course.
Huge props to @karriebear.bsky.social and @paullicino.bsky.social for all of the actual words in the game, of course.
we finally trained ourselves into saying "donut county" but then "crow country" came out and now my household is fighting a "donut country / crow county" war
December 29, 2025 at 11:48 PM
we finally trained ourselves into saying "donut county" but then "crow country" came out and now my household is fighting a "donut country / crow county" war
SUCH a good thread!!
I'm positively beaming with pride to see so many international indies on this list: Ball x Pit, Animal Well, SIGNALIS, Threes even!! How damn cool is it to grow up on Japanese games and then grow up to create games that influence them right back 💖
I'm positively beaming with pride to see so many international indies on this list: Ball x Pit, Animal Well, SIGNALIS, Threes even!! How damn cool is it to grow up on Japanese games and then grow up to create games that influence them right back 💖
It's the Christmas issue of Famitsu, so that means many Japanese gaming industry folks gave their personal Game of the Year lists. I'll update this thread periodically since there's a lot of them once again.
December 25, 2025 at 6:24 AM
SUCH a good thread!!
I'm positively beaming with pride to see so many international indies on this list: Ball x Pit, Animal Well, SIGNALIS, Threes even!! How damn cool is it to grow up on Japanese games and then grow up to create games that influence them right back 💖
I'm positively beaming with pride to see so many international indies on this list: Ball x Pit, Animal Well, SIGNALIS, Threes even!! How damn cool is it to grow up on Japanese games and then grow up to create games that influence them right back 💖
I'm thrilled to join Zurich Film Fund as a jury member in the Digital Culture program!
Funding for games has been incredibly bleak, so I'm excited to raise up projects at this challenging time. The grants total CHF 4.5M ($5.7M USD) / CHF 150K ($190K) per project.
filmstiftung.ch/digitale-kul...
Funding for games has been incredibly bleak, so I'm excited to raise up projects at this challenging time. The grants total CHF 4.5M ($5.7M USD) / CHF 150K ($190K) per project.
filmstiftung.ch/digitale-kul...
December 23, 2025 at 7:42 PM
I'm thrilled to join Zurich Film Fund as a jury member in the Digital Culture program!
Funding for games has been incredibly bleak, so I'm excited to raise up projects at this challenging time. The grants total CHF 4.5M ($5.7M USD) / CHF 150K ($190K) per project.
filmstiftung.ch/digitale-kul...
Funding for games has been incredibly bleak, so I'm excited to raise up projects at this challenging time. The grants total CHF 4.5M ($5.7M USD) / CHF 150K ($190K) per project.
filmstiftung.ch/digitale-kul...
Reposted by Karrie Shirou Shao
My team is hiring narrative designers again!
* Entry to mid-level!
* Casual mobile games with campy fun stories
* Big caveat: after a few months remote, you gotta do a year or two in-office in Beijing!
* Pay is low by US standards but great for Beijing or Europe
www.linkedin.com/posts/alexan...
* Entry to mid-level!
* Casual mobile games with campy fun stories
* Big caveat: after a few months remote, you gotta do a year or two in-office in Beijing!
* Pay is low by US standards but great for Beijing or Europe
www.linkedin.com/posts/alexan...
📣 We’re Hiring Again! 📣
We're looking for two Narrative Designers to join our team in 2026!
Prior games industry experience is a plus, but not required. What matters most that you're passio...
📣 We’re Hiring Again! 📣
We're looking for two Narrative Designers to join our team in 2026!
Prior games industry experience is a plus, but not required. What matters most that you're passionate abo...
www.linkedin.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:23 PM
My team is hiring narrative designers again!
* Entry to mid-level!
* Casual mobile games with campy fun stories
* Big caveat: after a few months remote, you gotta do a year or two in-office in Beijing!
* Pay is low by US standards but great for Beijing or Europe
www.linkedin.com/posts/alexan...
* Entry to mid-level!
* Casual mobile games with campy fun stories
* Big caveat: after a few months remote, you gotta do a year or two in-office in Beijing!
* Pay is low by US standards but great for Beijing or Europe
www.linkedin.com/posts/alexan...
apologies to anyone who sees this and is still trying to get work done
Please enjoy my top 10 free browser games of 2025:
1. Type Help william-rous.itch.io/type-help
2. Dragonsweeper danielben.itch.io/dragonsweeper/
3. Clues by Sam cluesbysam.com
4. Stimulation Clicker neal.fun/stimulation-...
5. The Collector split82.itch.io/the-collector
1. Type Help william-rous.itch.io/type-help
2. Dragonsweeper danielben.itch.io/dragonsweeper/
3. Clues by Sam cluesbysam.com
4. Stimulation Clicker neal.fun/stimulation-...
5. The Collector split82.itch.io/the-collector
Type Help by William Rous
The Unsolvable Mystery
william-rous.itch.io
December 18, 2025 at 11:23 PM
apologies to anyone who sees this and is still trying to get work done
Reposted by Karrie Shirou Shao
Hello Gamedevs,
There is a new Gamedev Salary Pulse survey. It’s a community project, built to gather anonymous insights about salaries & work conditions across the industry.
Results will be published for free, in Q1 2026.
Devs can take part here: 8bit-recruitment.typeform.com/to/n2Klg27o
There is a new Gamedev Salary Pulse survey. It’s a community project, built to gather anonymous insights about salaries & work conditions across the industry.
Results will be published for free, in Q1 2026.
Devs can take part here: 8bit-recruitment.typeform.com/to/n2Klg27o
8Bit Gamedev Salary Pulse
Take 5 minutes to impact the games industry and help pets! Gamedev Salary Pulse survey offers key insights into salaries and benefits in gamedev. Your input supports professionals and job seekers alik...
8bit-recruitment.typeform.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Hello Gamedevs,
There is a new Gamedev Salary Pulse survey. It’s a community project, built to gather anonymous insights about salaries & work conditions across the industry.
Results will be published for free, in Q1 2026.
Devs can take part here: 8bit-recruitment.typeform.com/to/n2Klg27o
There is a new Gamedev Salary Pulse survey. It’s a community project, built to gather anonymous insights about salaries & work conditions across the industry.
Results will be published for free, in Q1 2026.
Devs can take part here: 8bit-recruitment.typeform.com/to/n2Klg27o
Reposted by Karrie Shirou Shao
This year for Game Awards fits, we showed up imho (w @karriebear.bsky.social)
December 12, 2025 at 8:27 PM
This year for Game Awards fits, we showed up imho (w @karriebear.bsky.social)
I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOREVER FOR THISSSSSSSSS
YOU ARE A DEMON MADE OF GLASS AND PAIN
AND YET, YOU MUST SKATE
SKATE STORY
OUT NOW
PC, PS5, SWITCH 2
AND YET, YOU MUST SKATE
SKATE STORY
OUT NOW
PC, PS5, SWITCH 2
December 8, 2025 at 5:50 PM
I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOREVER FOR THISSSSSSSSS
Reposted by Karrie Shirou Shao
🎧NEW OFK THIS FRIDAY
3 years(!) since we released our game about a little band of friends - a massive labor of love that won us phenomenal fans AND a Peabody Award! Life has gotten full & busy but WE ARE HERE. Feels good to be back
3 years(!) since we released our game about a little band of friends - a massive labor of love that won us phenomenal fans AND a Peabody Award! Life has gotten full & busy but WE ARE HERE. Feels good to be back
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
🎧NEW OFK THIS FRIDAY
3 years(!) since we released our game about a little band of friends - a massive labor of love that won us phenomenal fans AND a Peabody Award! Life has gotten full & busy but WE ARE HERE. Feels good to be back
3 years(!) since we released our game about a little band of friends - a massive labor of love that won us phenomenal fans AND a Peabody Award! Life has gotten full & busy but WE ARE HERE. Feels good to be back
we tried Taco Bell’s Baja Blast Pie yesterday and the reactions were so good it had to go on the feed
November 18, 2025 at 10:44 PM
we tried Taco Bell’s Baja Blast Pie yesterday and the reactions were so good it had to go on the feed
I’m speaking today at @sfwa.org’s Quasar event this weekend! Really excited to be chatting with a panel of indie creators across comics, novels, and games ❤️
@alexiswestmore.bsky.social
@jessicamaison.bsky.social
@joanmarieverba.bsky.social
@rrookstudio.bsky.social
@alexiswestmore.bsky.social
@jessicamaison.bsky.social
@joanmarieverba.bsky.social
@rrookstudio.bsky.social
November 15, 2025 at 6:52 PM
I’m speaking today at @sfwa.org’s Quasar event this weekend! Really excited to be chatting with a panel of indie creators across comics, novels, and games ❤️
@alexiswestmore.bsky.social
@jessicamaison.bsky.social
@joanmarieverba.bsky.social
@rrookstudio.bsky.social
@alexiswestmore.bsky.social
@jessicamaison.bsky.social
@joanmarieverba.bsky.social
@rrookstudio.bsky.social
Kdin joined our Pacific Drive voice cast as one of my new favorite characters in the DLC ❤️
I am happy to announce that you can hear my voice talents in the Pacific Drive Whispers in the Woods DLC!
I am your guide through the "Undercover In The Fellowship" audio logs as well as other additional voices!
Thanks to everyone at @ironwood.bsky.social & @nyavpost.bsky.social for having me! :D
I am your guide through the "Undercover In The Fellowship" audio logs as well as other additional voices!
Thanks to everyone at @ironwood.bsky.social & @nyavpost.bsky.social for having me! :D
November 6, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Kdin joined our Pacific Drive voice cast as one of my new favorite characters in the DLC ❤️
Surprise! Pacific Drive's first story expansion dropped TODAY
Come meet the Harmonic Fellowship, your new family 👁️🌊 They only want the very best for you.
Come meet the Harmonic Fellowship, your new family 👁️🌊 They only want the very best for you.
Pacific Drive: Whispers in the Woods is Available... Now. 👁
youtu.be/TNbSiVUBJpg
PlayStation 5, Steam, Epic Games Store, and Xbox.
youtu.be/TNbSiVUBJpg
PlayStation 5, Steam, Epic Games Store, and Xbox.
Pacific Drive: Whispers in the Woods | Launch Trailer
YouTube video by Ironwood Studios
youtu.be
October 23, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Surprise! Pacific Drive's first story expansion dropped TODAY
Come meet the Harmonic Fellowship, your new family 👁️🌊 They only want the very best for you.
Come meet the Harmonic Fellowship, your new family 👁️🌊 They only want the very best for you.
i'm so glad @mikerose.bsky.social is back on social media, what an absolute gift
October 14, 2025 at 5:57 PM
i'm so glad @mikerose.bsky.social is back on social media, what an absolute gift
lovely getting yesterday off of my game dev day job
so i could work on my game dev prototype
i am a well-balanced individual
so i could work on my game dev prototype
i am a well-balanced individual
October 14, 2025 at 5:36 PM
lovely getting yesterday off of my game dev day job
so i could work on my game dev prototype
i am a well-balanced individual
so i could work on my game dev prototype
i am a well-balanced individual
oh dip
Surprised and honored to be a GDC 2025 top speaker!!
This same talk also got me an unexpected job offer out of nowhere.... which I'll share more about later 😶
If you have Vault access, the talk is here: gdcvault.com/.../Game-Nar...
Surprised and honored to be a GDC 2025 top speaker!!
This same talk also got me an unexpected job offer out of nowhere.... which I'll share more about later 😶
If you have Vault access, the talk is here: gdcvault.com/.../Game-Nar...
October 3, 2025 at 6:19 PM
oh dip
Surprised and honored to be a GDC 2025 top speaker!!
This same talk also got me an unexpected job offer out of nowhere.... which I'll share more about later 😶
If you have Vault access, the talk is here: gdcvault.com/.../Game-Nar...
Surprised and honored to be a GDC 2025 top speaker!!
This same talk also got me an unexpected job offer out of nowhere.... which I'll share more about later 😶
If you have Vault access, the talk is here: gdcvault.com/.../Game-Nar...
i'm working my way through the games submitted for BAFTAs this year in preparation for voting, and this incredible moment in Skin Deep had my entire friend group giggling
October 2, 2025 at 1:10 AM
i'm working my way through the games submitted for BAFTAs this year in preparation for voting, and this incredible moment in Skin Deep had my entire friend group giggling
celebrating the Emmy nominees at the BAFTA TV Tea Party 🏆☕️
Thank you @bafta.org for an unforgettable weekend celebrating our BAFTA Breakthrough cohort, and for getting me to shake the hand of Gaius Baltar himself (James Callis) & cram into an elevator with Lucius Malloy (Jason Isaacs)
Thank you @bafta.org for an unforgettable weekend celebrating our BAFTA Breakthrough cohort, and for getting me to shake the hand of Gaius Baltar himself (James Callis) & cram into an elevator with Lucius Malloy (Jason Isaacs)
September 17, 2025 at 8:42 PM
celebrating the Emmy nominees at the BAFTA TV Tea Party 🏆☕️
Thank you @bafta.org for an unforgettable weekend celebrating our BAFTA Breakthrough cohort, and for getting me to shake the hand of Gaius Baltar himself (James Callis) & cram into an elevator with Lucius Malloy (Jason Isaacs)
Thank you @bafta.org for an unforgettable weekend celebrating our BAFTA Breakthrough cohort, and for getting me to shake the hand of Gaius Baltar himself (James Callis) & cram into an elevator with Lucius Malloy (Jason Isaacs)
me: why am i in such a terrible mood
@teddydief.com: because you're in the middle of breaking a story, this is your ~process~
:[
@teddydief.com: because you're in the middle of breaking a story, this is your ~process~
:[
September 16, 2025 at 9:19 PM
me: why am i in such a terrible mood
@teddydief.com: because you're in the middle of breaking a story, this is your ~process~
:[
@teddydief.com: because you're in the middle of breaking a story, this is your ~process~
:[
Reposted by Karrie Shirou Shao
Evening Star (@eveningstar.studio) is now hiring an Art Director!
We're looking for an experienced professional who can augment our team with deep knowledge of 3D art pipelines, and who is well seasoned with production experience. Do you or does someone you know fit the bill?
We're looking for an experienced professional who can augment our team with deep knowledge of 3D art pipelines, and who is well seasoned with production experience. Do you or does someone you know fit the bill?
Evening Star is looking for an Art Director to help us create our new game!
Our ideal candidate will have a wide range of experience: knowledge of 3D art pipelines, and managing art production of 3D games with a mix of remote internal and external artists.
eveningstar.studio/careers/art_...
Our ideal candidate will have a wide range of experience: knowledge of 3D art pipelines, and managing art production of 3D games with a mix of remote internal and external artists.
eveningstar.studio/careers/art_...
Careers - Art Director - Evening Star
Evening Star is now hiring for an Art Director position.
eveningstar.studio
September 16, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Evening Star (@eveningstar.studio) is now hiring an Art Director!
We're looking for an experienced professional who can augment our team with deep knowledge of 3D art pipelines, and who is well seasoned with production experience. Do you or does someone you know fit the bill?
We're looking for an experienced professional who can augment our team with deep knowledge of 3D art pipelines, and who is well seasoned with production experience. Do you or does someone you know fit the bill?
Reposted by Karrie Shirou Shao
BAFTA Emmies Tea Party!
It’s an honor to rep videogame creators, build bridges between games & film, and celebrate BAFTA Breakthrough @karriebear.bsky.social! @bafta.org @baftagames.bsky.social
It’s an honor to rep videogame creators, build bridges between games & film, and celebrate BAFTA Breakthrough @karriebear.bsky.social! @bafta.org @baftagames.bsky.social
September 14, 2025 at 10:47 PM
BAFTA Emmies Tea Party!
It’s an honor to rep videogame creators, build bridges between games & film, and celebrate BAFTA Breakthrough @karriebear.bsky.social! @bafta.org @baftagames.bsky.social
It’s an honor to rep videogame creators, build bridges between games & film, and celebrate BAFTA Breakthrough @karriebear.bsky.social! @bafta.org @baftagames.bsky.social
⭐️BAFTA BREAKTHROUGH 2024⭐️
So honored to be part of the BAFTA Breakthrough class and getting to know these incredible trailblazers across film, TV, and games. Spending the weekend getting closer and attending the BAFTA TV Tea Party together was such a gift.
Thank you @bafta.org!
So honored to be part of the BAFTA Breakthrough class and getting to know these incredible trailblazers across film, TV, and games. Spending the weekend getting closer and attending the BAFTA TV Tea Party together was such a gift.
Thank you @bafta.org!
September 15, 2025 at 5:29 PM
⭐️BAFTA BREAKTHROUGH 2024⭐️
So honored to be part of the BAFTA Breakthrough class and getting to know these incredible trailblazers across film, TV, and games. Spending the weekend getting closer and attending the BAFTA TV Tea Party together was such a gift.
Thank you @bafta.org!
So honored to be part of the BAFTA Breakthrough class and getting to know these incredible trailblazers across film, TV, and games. Spending the weekend getting closer and attending the BAFTA TV Tea Party together was such a gift.
Thank you @bafta.org!
cannot believe I played a laser grid room yesterday and my entire group watched my boobs block the laser and make us lose
September 12, 2025 at 9:14 PM
cannot believe I played a laser grid room yesterday and my entire group watched my boobs block the laser and make us lose