This week we’re meeting Neolyfe’s Head of Story & Lore…
Fran, as a lore and world-building specialist, your own story must be pretty compelling. Give us a quick rundown…
I am a lore writer. I love telling stories, world-building, diving deep into worlds and creating worlds that are a little bit like The Matrix meets Ready Player One meets Plato, because of the philosophy. I used to be an English teacher and took a wild career leap from doing that to creating these epic digital adventures. So that’s where the link comes in, with stories and story writing.
What skills have you brought across to Neolyfe?
I’m bringing my A-game into the lore narrative writing. Think of me as the storyteller who turns digital worlds into living, breathing adventures. As a teacher, I’m all about effective communication and team support, supporting people who need help, that kind of thing. I think it’s super important in a start-up like ours, where we wear multiple hats, so I’m here to help us try to stay laser focused and keep those creative juices flowing.
Most metaverse platforms, from the original Second Life to maybe Roblox, miss out on having a compelling story or narrative that’s intrinsic to the metaverse and that’s where I step in. I’m developing a rich and varied narrative that kind of invites players to dive and explore. So if they’re here for epic quests or they just want to hang out, there’s always going to be a little bit of a story to discover.
How would you describe the ideal virtual world?
One where everything is interconnected and every experience contributes towards a greater story. By harnessing cutting edge-tech like Unreal Engine 5 and blockchain we’re creating a dynamic, decentralised ecosystem that allows people to explore, create their own assets and have adventures within a vibrant community.
I like our concept of ‘levelling up your own lyfe’. We are going to be providing tools and opportunities for everyone, from casual explorers to dedicated gamers and builders, to shape their digital destinies. I want a metaverse that’s authentic, inclusive and habitually engaging.
What are your favourite video games and digital experiences?
I’m a big gamer. I’m hooked on Baldur’s Gate 3. It’s a rich story with complex characters and an incredible narrative that keeps calling me back.
On the other hand, I also play an open-world RPG adventure called Call Of Dragons where I’m in a hardcore alliance and about to upgrade my troops to T-5 , which means my army is going to be pretty much unstoppable and the game is very much social.
Describe Neolyfe in 5 years time?
You’re in this amazing utopia with neon lit cities, islands, lush forests etc and your avatar looks awesome because we’ve built really advanced customization tools. You can hop on the skyrail to Highlyfe, which is a floating cultural city, or follow Jess the White Rabbit, who can take you on all kinds of adventures and gamified experiences.
Which brand or creator would you like to see in Neolyfe?
Hideo Kojima. He’s a genius and I love Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding. I’d love to see him bring his creative magic to Neolyfe. In terms of brands, I’ll go completely off-brand in terms of my usual taste and choose Barbie. I’m thinking of Barbie districts, with players wearing her latest fashions and designing their own visions of her dream house.
