Senior Game Designer at NCsoft
San Francisco Bay Area
- Current
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- Senior Game Designer at NCsoft
- Past
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- Staff Game Designer at Cryptic Studios
- Administrative Assistant to Senior Psychiatrist at Forensic Psychiatric Services Commission
- Assistant Extras Casting Director at Extra Personalities
- Education
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- Ohlone College
- Capilano University
- Recommended
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- Industry
- Computer Games
- Websites
Melissa Bianco’s Summary
Cryptic Studios was my launch into the game industry. Before Cryptic is was a beta tester and hard-core gamer. After Cryptic...well, the whole playing field changed.
Every day is an adventure and an opportunity. While I graduated with a degree in Media back in 1991, it was the tip of the iceberg considering what I learned in my very first two years at a game company. No idea is too small or too silly because it can ALWAYS be improved with marinating. Build a thick skin because no one is going to love what you do, all the time.
My goals? Learn something every day, never be afraid of new or interesting ways of doing something, and document like it's going out of style. The rest will come.
Melissa Bianco’s Specialties:
Writing dialogue, creating atmosphere to add life and story to a zone or mission. Insanely fast and quality editor work.
Melissa Bianco’s Experience
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Senior Game Designer
NCsoft
(Public Company; Computer Games industry)
November 2007 — Present (2 years 1 month)
Senior Game designer on City of Heroes / City of Villains (purchased full IP of the franchise in November of 2007).
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Staff Game Designer
Cryptic Studios
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Computer Games industry)
February 2002 — November 2007 (5 years 10 months)
World Game Designer for City of Heroes / City of Villains.
Design and implement zones and missions using our in-house editor; create and place atmosphere, spawns, and contacts; fun writing and documentation writing; managing tasks and implementation team; and any of the other tasks that need doing from community interviews and events to planting (and documenting!) easter eggs -- my niche.
My alter ego is War Witch -
Administrative Assistant to Senior Psychiatrist
Forensic Psychiatric Services Commission
(Government Agency; 10,001 or more employees; Hospital & Health Care industry)
January 1994 — November 1999 (5 years 11 months)
Working as an administrative assistant in the Forensic Psychiatric industry is always about not being shockable, attention to detail, professionalism, and time management. Being nice to people helps, too. Being the only one in the department who has a bit of computer chops, doesn't hurt either. Organization is key. Follow through is key. Confidentiality is key. Excellent communication skills and being able to multi-task is mandatory.
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Assistant Extras Casting Director
Extra Personalities
(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Motion Pictures and Film industry)
1992 — 1993 (1 year )
This job did everything from finding the appropriate extras within our own internal pool of candidates to being creative and finding others who would be willing to work on short notice. From there, it was a mass of setting up the extra with all the information he or she needed, such as wardrobe, set location, time, and any special instructions. For each and every extra that had been hired. On-set wrangling as needed.
Melissa Bianco’s Education
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Ohlone College
American Sign Language / General Arts 2000 — 2002
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Capilano University
Ass. Ars & Sciences Diploma , Media Resources , 1989 — 1991
Two years of crazy schedules, long days, cramming information into my tiny brain, and having the absolute BEST time of my life. What a difference it makes to enroll in a curriculum you're passionate about.
I stepped out of my comfort zone on so many levels, interviewing people, contacting media corporations, writing, producing, editing. Best time of my life. I only wish technology had been 10 years in the future. Then we would have REALLY learned something hard core.
Additional Information
Melissa Bianco’s Websites:
Melissa Bianco’s Interests:
So many interests, so little time. Connecting with friends (old and new). Writing of any kind, usually tends to be about me, though. It's a gift. Reading books of all genres, I can plow through an afternoon easily. Movies, movie trivia, useless information, working on my website and finding new and unusual ways to embarass myself. Oh, and playing. No one 'plays' anymore. I think it's high time we bring it back.
Melissa Bianco’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- getting back in touch
