Dan Hett

Biography

Hello.

(PLEASE NOTE: I am no longer available as a freelancer, this site is largely an archive now. I'm still available for talks or occasional workshops, or if you need me to refer you on to a safe pair of hands to execute your project, so feel free to get in touch anyway. Thanks!)

I'm an award-winning digital artist, writer and games designer. I make things with technology, and write a lot - sometimes at the same time, when I'm very lucky. I've done a lot of work for a lot of people, but don't take my word for it - there's a whole list on this website, with pictures and everything.

Outside of my personal practice I'm also the founder and director of PΔSSENGER, an independent games studio focused on challenging interactive fiction. In 2021 we released our first major work, Closed Hands, a novel-length piece of interactive fiction examining intertwined human stories in a crisis (nominated for Excellence in Narrative at the Independent Games Festival 2022). I'm now working on games-influenced television scripts and the beginnings of a similarly influenced novel, as well as a number of experimental games projects.

In 2021 I was selected as HOME's new Creative Technology fellow, working alongside Manchester's new School of Digital Arts (SODA). I also served on the board of legendary independent games festival Now Play This, and recently gained my MA in Creative Writing from the Manchester Writing School.

My work has been covered by the BBC, The Guardian, Forbes, Creative Review, The Face, and a whole pile of other places. I also occasionally write for the likes of the Guardian, Rockpapershotgun and the BBC.

Hit me up for any speaking enquiries, workshops/teaching or whatever else, but: if it's about a project, I likely can't help you, I'm no longer freelancing, sorry!!

Thanks for reading! <3