Game Narrative Kaleidoscope Podcast Episode 1: Sagar Beroshi
Mar 4, 2026
Sagar Beroshi, narrative designer and writer at The Chinese Room known for As Dusk Falls and Helldivers 2, argues for starting light with outlines and blockouts. He discusses when writing overwrites design, using blockouts to show not tell, and where lightweight exploration fits across studio sizes. The conversation covers integrating narrative into teams and treating writing as craftful problem-solving.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
From Narrative Designer To Helldivers Deputy
- Sagar described work on Helldivers 2 where satire was central, poking fun at Bush-era foreign policy.
- He progressed from narrative designer to deputy game director on a non-narrative but satirical large multiplayer title.
Start Light Then Expand
- Start light and iterate rather than writing final-feeling text early.
- Create outlines or stubs that signal intention so the team can solve presentation before you overwrite dialogue.
Writer Confession About Overwriting
- Sagar admits he personally over-writes and uses the article as a self-reminder to resist that impulse.
- He finds playing games where departments missed linking moments is painfully obvious and motivating to avoid overwriting.