A stroke of luck—when Irrational Games set out to bring a new writer onto their BioShock Infinite project, they had no idea that the right candidate was just a room away, already contributing to the studio’s efforts. Joe Fielder, who had been working as an art and narrative producer, found himself in an amusing position when he was called in for a writing test and ultimately pulled into the fold.

Fielder recalls, “I was an art producer and narrative producer… there was a blind writing test because they were looking to expand their writing team, and I contributed. This might be apocryphal, but when they reviewed everyone’s submissions, they thought, ‘OK, bring this person in.’ Then they realized it was Joe, in the next room.”

This led to him contributing to key aspects of the game, particularly the immersive dialogue that players engage with upon entering the vibrant world of Columbia.

Fielder’s journey into the action-packed narrative of BioShock Infinite showcases the vibrant environment and critical dialogue that make the game a remarkable experience. His humor and insight were crucial in creating organic conversations that enrich player engagement, even in a setting rife with tense political undertones.