Vince Vader
Game Designer • Narrative Architect • PhD in Play.

Hey! You found me! I'm Vicente Martin Mastrocola (or just Vince). I'm a teacher and game designer from Brazil. I bridge the gap between game design and player experience. PhD in Communication, I design narratives, systems, and microcopy for games that matter.

Vince Vader
Who I AM
Game Designer, Teacher,
and Researcher

Since 2000, I have been dedicated to game development and content creation, specializing in crafting immersive player experiences by integrating core game design mechanics with branching narratives.

As a professor since 2006 and founder of the independent label Abystrakt Games, I combine academic insight with practical expertise in analog and digital systems. My approach leverages strategic UX writing to optimize player journeys while providing expert consulting on digital media, eSports, and gamification strategies.

My academic background further anchors this professional trajectory. I hold a PhD in Communication and Consumption, a foundation that allows me to bridge the gap between audience behavior and interactive design. Furthermore, I have completed two postdoctoral research cycles focused on game studies—including an international residency in Bratislava, Slovakia—which provided me with a unique perspective on the global gaming landscape. As a published author of several books on the field, I continue to explore the evolving intersection of non-linear storytelling and player engagement.

Game Design Advergames UX Digital Culture Board/Card Games Teaching
Portfolio
Games & Gaming Projects
Processo
RPG
Processo
Abystrakt Games
Game design: mechanics, systems, and player progression. UX writing: rule book, and flows. Narrative design: world building, and lore.
War 2
board Game
WAR 2
Grow Jogos 
Game design: mechanics, systems, and player progression. UX writing: rule book, Ul flows, and onboarding optimization.
War Vikings
Board Game
War Vikings
Grow Jogos
Game design: mechanics, systems, and player progression. UX writing: rule book, Ul flows, and onboarding optimization.
War Game of Thrones
Board Game
War Game of thrones
Grow Jogos
Game design: mechanics, systems, and player progression. UX writing: rule book, Ul flows, and onboarding optimization. 2021 Warner Prize Finalist (category: storytelling); Selected Prêmio Ludopedia Brazilian designer 2021.
Capela Perigosa
videogame (browser)
A capela perigosa (the perilous chapel) 
Abystrakt  Games + T4 Entertainment 
A psychological horror puzzle game based on the eponymous short story by writer Oscar Nestarez. Game design: mechanics, puzzles, systems, and player progression. UX writing: Ul flows, and onboarding optimization.Narrative design: world-building, and lore.Design & Illustration: art direction, and illustrations.
PHI
board Game
PHI: print and play game
Abysstrakt Games
Game design: mechanics, systems, and player progression. UX writing: rule book, Ul flows, and onboarding optimization.
Food Truck Express
Board Game
Food truck express
Grow Jogos
Game design: mechanics, systems, and player progression. UX writing: rule book, Ul flows, and onboarding optimization.
Enigma do Labirinto
Board Game
Enigma do labirinto
Grow Jogos
Game design: mechanics, systems, and player progression. UX writing: rule book, Ul flows, and onboarding optimization.
Arena of Dreams
videogame (Mobile)
Arena of dreams 
Fanatee
UX writing: character lore.
REM
videogame (PC)
Rapid eye movement
Abystrakt Games + T4 Entertainment
A nightmare puzzle game in first person.Game design: mechanics, puzzles, systems, and player progression. UX writing: Ul flows, and onboarding optimization.Narrative design: world-building, and lore.Design & Illustration: art direction, and illustrations.
Húsz
Board Game
HúSZ
Lemon Pie Games
Game design: mechanics, systems, and player progression. UX writing: rule book, Ul flows, and onboarding optimization.
Books
Books & Academic works
UX para games
Introdução para ux em games
SENAC · 2025
An introduction to UX practices for digital and analog games. Text in Portuguese.
Game Cultura
Game cultura
Cengage learning - 2016
A discussion on the use of games in education, communication, and business. Text in Portuguese.
Game Design
Game Design
Cengage learning - 2015
A book about business models and creative processes, showing the path from prototype to produced game. Text in Portuguese.
Horror Ludens
Horror Ludens
Livrus - 2014
A study on fear, horror, and terror in video games. Free e-book download in Portuguese.
15 ejercicios
15 ejercicios para la creación de juegos
Luche - 2020
A series of exercises for practicing and developing game design techniques. Text in Spanish.
Level hard
Level hard
autografia - 2018
A book that explores the daily reality of game creation, production, and research within the Brazilian scene. Text in Portuguese.
Book review
Artificial General Intelligence (book review)
Springer - 2025
A review of the book 'Artificial General Intelligence' by Julian Togelius, published by MIT Press. Text in English.
HCI in games
Using Fear to Construct Meaning in Video Games (book chapter)
Springer - 2021
A study on the game R.E.M. and its construction using horror elements within the game design process.
Contact
Let's Talk!

Open to game design projects, speaking engagements, and academic consulting. Feel free to reach out. Mail or social media: vincevader@gmail.com // @vincevader