With Tokenized Lore having transformed content creation within Alien Worlds, community member Ender has carved out a unique role as a storyteller with his finger firmly on the pulse. If the metaverse is a canvas for anyone ready to dream big, Ender is a cartographer sketching his own mini-worlds.
Starting out as a curious Explorer scratching around the Discord lore channel, he has become a passionate contributor to a range of diverse projects, injecting crafting narratives into full-blown community games (Alien Legends, New Genesis, Planetary Defense). Ender's journey is a testament to the creative freedom Alien Worlds unlocks.
We recently sat down with the writer to learn how he went from casual contributor to a key voice helping to drive Alien Worlds forwards – and why he believes tokenized storytelling is a game-changer.
From Mission Control to Metaverse Muse
“I guess it started with Mission Control,” Ender recalls when quizzed on how his writing endeavors began, referring to the community-built questing platform supported by Galactic Hubs. “I asked the team if I could add some really basic stories into a lore channel on their Discord. They were rough and rugged, but I enjoyed it.”
After those early interactions, Ender soon connected with Maserakane and volunteered ideas for the NFT Panda crossover with Alien Worlds. In time, Maserakane introduced him to the team behind Planetary Defense, a strategic community-driven game set on Magor.
I still don’t have an official job there,” he laughs. “I hang around, make suggestions, proofread, and pitch ideas.” Ender's admiration for Kevin J. Anderson’s foundational mythology grew, leading him to submit stories to the nascent Tokenized Lore program. “It’s been a wild ride since then,” he reflects.
Ender's storytelling draws heavily on his European roots as well as his role as a father of eight. “I draw a lot on my ancestry. Naturally, the Nordics stole my heart,” he shares, referring to the original interstellar colonists whose helmets give them a resemblance to Vikings of old. “I’m drawn to the grit it takes to stand up for a punch when others turn, the one who has his family’s back no matter what.”
His kids – avid listeners – fuel his creativity. “It means the world when they get a joke or lean in as I go into some gory details,” he chuckles.
Blending his ideas with Kevin J. Anderson’s lore is a challenge Ender relishes. “I’ve been around since the start of the Lore program, so I just have this stuff in my head,” he says. “Sometimes I get fuzzy, but Lynx is clutch for small details that I’ve forgotten. I have a huge amount of respect for Anderson’s work.”
As for his own work, Ender prefers short, interconnected stories to keep things manageable. “That way, you don’t get drowned in the details,” he says.
Games Galore
World-building RPG New Genesis is just one community project to which Ender has brought his lore knowledge, vision and writing talents, though it’s hardly been a breeze. “Genesis gave me so much freedom, but that comes at a cost: I’ve had to start over three times,” he concedes. “It hurts because I care about the characters who never get to develop their story.” Yet, being on the ground floor of a global collaboration excites him. “It’s going to be a world, and that’s exciting.”
As for Planetary Defense and Alien Legends, Ender fulfils various roles: “With Planetary Defense I’ve mostly been a fan boy,” he laughs. “I just enjoy working with those guys: they let me spearhead their social media program and I’ve done a lot of work with propaganda-style characters like Magor Mike, and Debbie Double Down.
With Alien Legends, an upcoming squad-based combat game, it’s a different story entirely: “I’m bringing a deep understanding of the characters of Alien Worlds to the table and trying my best to get their info to players without making it boring,” he reveals.
Built around PvE and PvP combat and teeming with lore, Alien Legends sees players train teams of fighters, stake NFTs for in-game credits, and rely on landowner-built arenas to compete.
“I think it’s safe to say it’s not made to be a clicker game, which is a big first. Every advantage people have will compound significantly in later gameplay.”
The Thrill of Collaboration
One of the coolest things about Alien Worlds’ community-driven ecosystem is the prospect for collaboration: not just with fellow writers but artists and game developers.
Ender enjoys the diversity of perspectives and writing styles that tokenized lore has brought to the forefront: “While my writing is centred on character depth and grit, others have focused on art, history, legends and epic quests,” he notes.
Such a preponderance of viewpoints and talents can, in some cases, lead to creative alliances forming: Ender tells us about the close bond he’s formed with a fellow Canadian writer, with whom he has submitted lore.
A range of creative peers are also singled out for praise, from King David and SiiSii to Lore Scribe Red (“his attention to detail is incredible”) and Shade from Mission Control, “whose mastery of words pushes me to be a better writer.”
What Does the Future Hold?
Probed on the future of tokenized lore, Ender is unerringly optimistic: “I’m excited to see where this all goes. We’re still in the early stages, so defining what it will become is challenging. Just one or two key people pushing in the right direction could trigger a major shift.”
Ender refers to Lynx as a sleeping giant for onboarding new players, arguing it could eventually handle all onboarding for new players and serve as a valuable resource for future games. “Knowing that Lynx is trained on our writing is thrilling, especially considering where AI integration could be a year from now.”
For aspiring Alien Worlds writers, his advice is heartfelt: “Take the feedback you receive onboard and keep growing. Not every step on the ladder lets you pick fruit, but it moves you up in the world.”
Enders’ journey from Discord scribbler to lore imagineer underscores the community-centric ethos of Alien Worlds. Whether you’re a gamer, writer, or dreamer, you can emulate Ender and start shaping an unfolding sci-fi saga.
Dive into the Tokenized Lore Book, explore community-led projects like Alien Legends, or submit your own tale. As Ender says, “I’ll see you in the stacks.”
Alien Worlds offers a truly unique decentralized platform where players are more than mere participants; they're active stakeholders influencing both the present and future of the game. Whether you aim to create services, tools, games, or other platforms, the community stands ready to embrace and utilize them. Developers, you can access our API toolkit here. Innovators, breathe life into your project by applying for a Galactic Hubs grant today. Leaders, step into the Planetary Syndicates or Union DAOs and propel your ideas to the forefront of the community. If you need assistance with any of these endeavors, please visit our official Discord or Telegram channels.