It all started when...
Rik's dad took him to see Star Wars back in 1977. That day young Rik's mind was blown open and filled with impossible stories about impossible places and impossible people. Now all grown up he continues to make up impossible stories and narrative experiences for his audiences.
Rik began his story telling career as a theatre maker and director, creating performances that fused text, movement, multimedia and audience interaction. After 12 years of working in theatre and community cultural arts projects, he took his creative bat and ball and moved into game development as a game designer and writer.
For the last 18 years Rik has worked as game designer, narrative designer and writer for companies such as Creative Assembly, 2K Australia, Krome, Prideful Sloth, and most recently Games 24x7/U Games as Narrative Lead. Rik has also written for traditional table top games such as Malifaux and The Hundred Kingdoms.
Rik is currently based in Canberra, where alongside his work as a freelance narrative designer and game writer, he teaches game design and creative writing at the University of Canberra, where he also happens to be doing his creative PhD on steampunk and postcolonialism. (who needs spare time right?!)
When not working, teaching, or studying he works on his own writing projects. Rik has had several short stories published and is working on a steampunk novel that has taken far too long already.
Rik is also an active member of the Canberra Speculative Fiction Guild