Belinda Garcia does a joyful laugh.
Belinda Garcia is a game writer and narrative designer based out of the San Francisco Bay Area. She currently works at Crystal Dynamics on the future of Tomb Raider. Previously, you may have played her work in Call of Duty: Vanguard and Stonefly. She loves creating emotional characters and attempting to put musical theater references in all her projects. Belinda Garcia chats with Forbes about her creative aspirations and gaming career.
Goldie Chan: Hello Belinda, thank you for speaking with us. What has your career journey been?
Belinda Garcia: I started off in PR and Communications in the video game industry and really enjoyed it. I love meeting new people and championing creative projects. But I have always been a writer and knew that’s where my passion would take me. I moonlighted on the indie game Stonefly during this time. PR by day, game writer by night. Eventually, I got the opportunity to be an Associate Narrative Designer at Sledgehammer Games and wrote on Call of Duty: Vanguard. Now, I’m at Crystal Dynamics writing the future of Tomb Raider and enjoying every minute of it.
Chan: What has been your favorite game that you’ve written on?
Garcia: I would have to say Stonefly. My entire heart and soul is present all throughout that game. I was fortunate enough to come on that project early and help establish a lot of the tone and feel of Annika and all our characters. I am endlessly thankful to Bo and Adam at Flight School Studio for giving me that opportunity. Those characters are all so close to my heart, I still think about them often and wonder what they’re doing every day. That’s when you know you’ve really given yourself to a project, when the world and the characters never leave and you dream for the day you can return to them.
Chan: What is an inspiring story that has resonated with you?
Garcia: This might come off a little cheesy, but my partner Youssef inspires me daily. He started off in the industry as a PR intern at Ubisoft and now he hosts their biggest game showcase every year. He even hosted during E3! Having someone like that in your corner is irreplaceable and I consider myself very lucky to have his love and support. Also, he dresses so much better than me, it’s nice to have that to aspire to.
Chan: How would you describe your personal brand?
Garcia: I hope my personal brand is one of empathy and inspiration. I always want to inspire more people to be creative. I know it’s tough, I know it’s not always a rewarding path, but to me… it makes life worth it. Sharing stories, being vulnerable to the world, creating close connections through art… it’s all magical. It’s the closest thing to magic we have in this life. I hope that I inspire people to understand both themselves and others more. That’s all I really want.
Also, I probably have a reputation for suggestive tweets, which I am also proud of! I believe women should have the freedom to be sexy and funny without being sexualized and I will always be at the forefront of that fight
Chan: What games or projects are you currently working on?
Garcia: I can say I am working on the future of Tomb Raider and that is all I can reveal at the moment. I am patiently awaiting the day I can say more.
As a personal project – because creatives are always working on a side project – I’m slowly writing a script based on the story of how my parents fell in love. I have no idea where it’s gonna go from here, but it’s already been a wonderful, fulfilling experience.
Chan: What is a dream company you’d like to work for?
Garcia: I would do anything to just be a fly on the wall at Supergiant Games. They’re such a small, powerful team and I admire everything they do. They’re patient, creative, and determined and I respect that studio so much.
Chan: Any last branding or career advice?
Garcia: It’s the advice I’ve been giving out often lately. If someone from your dream studio or company came up to you today and asked you to show them your work, would they hire you? Would your samples be ready? Would your portfolio be complete? If not, then work on that. If I wasn’t prepared every time an opportunity came my way, I wouldn’t have the career I’ve had. At every big moment, I was asked to prove I am right for the job and I did. You never know who you’re gonna meet or where you’re gonna meet them. It could be on an airplane, at a cafe, outside a movie theater – if you’re not prepared, that opportunity will pass you by and instead, choose the next person that is.
