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Hi! I’m Christian Mahnke, aka Chris Warman. I’m an award-winning interactive fiction writer and narrative designer. I’ve had the pleasure of crafting branded stories for renowned companies such as Disney, Audible, and 20th Century Fox. I also wrote two of the most successful interactive audio stories of all time: the interactive fantasy story “Iron Falcon,” voiced by Matthew Mercer, and the interactive kids series “Magic Forest.”
Personally, I’m a huge fan of Frank Herbert’s DUNE, a passionate Dungeons & Dragons player, and have saved our universe multiple times in video game RPGs such as Mass Effect, Gothic, Assassin’s Creed, Horizon, Divine Divinity, Wasteland, Dragon Age, The Witcher, Fallout, KotoR, and many more. No need to thank me for that—it was a pleasure!
Interactive Audio Stories by Christian Mahnke
Iron Falcon: Shadows of the Past
Iron Falcon is an interactive fantasy adventure where you step into the shoes of Sardak, a mercenary unexpectedly drawn into an ancient war between the kingdoms of Rivaan and Morghul. The narrative hinges on your decisions, with the fate of the kingdom resting on your courage and wisdom.
Your journey begins in the tranquil village of Stoneville, near a monastery plagued by bandits. As the story unfolds, it becomes evident that the conflict’s roots run deeper than initially apparent, leading you on a long and adventurous journey filled with humor and intrigue.
The legendary Matthew Mercer – yes, the guy from Critical Role – actually did the voice acting as a favor. Even while writing this, I still can not believe it!
Once I Was: A Viking (German)
Once I Was: A Viking is the first episode of a new story format in which historical non-fiction meets interactive storytelling. Players will embark on an exhilarating adventure, navigating the harsh and fascinating world of the Vikings. Experience their storied history, culture, and customs first-hand.
Jarik, a young boy from the Frisian coast, finds his life upended when Vikings attack his village and take him into slavery. Thus begins his thrilling journey… Discover how the Norsemen built their famed dragon ships and longhouses, and delve into the rich mythology of gods like Odin, Thor, and Loki. This immersive journey promises to captivate and educate, blending historical intrigue with epic storytelling.
The Magic Forrest (German)
The Magic Forest is a captivating and thrilling series for children, centered around adventure and friendship. Meet Treewarden, the guardian of stories and dreams, and join him on your first journey into the magical Enchanted Forest. Alongside a mysterious new friend, embark on a treasure hunt filled with exciting adventures!
Christian Mahnke created the enchanting world of “The Magic Forest” series, while various guest writers have contributed exciting and captivating episodes.
The series now includes 18 episodes and has been enjoyed by over 170,000 children in the last five years, making it one of the most successful interactive audio stories globally. This success is reflected in its outstanding reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 stars and a plethora of praise from kids and their parents.
Other Works by Christian Mahnke
Ebook: "How to Write Interactive Audio Stories" (German)
“How to Write Interactive Audio Stories” is a comprehensive 180-page guide authored by Christian Mahnke in 2019.
This book stands out as the only resource specifically tailored for interactive fiction writers and narrative designers focusing on audio formats.
Renowned authors, game designers, and interactive fiction writers have highly praised the guideline for its depth and practicality. Available on Kindle as an eBook and in print, this valuable guide is currently offered in German.
My Toy Story (German)
Childhood dream come true. I wrote the interactive audio story My Toy Story that was part of the marketing campaign for Toy Story 4 in Germany in 2020. The story is directed at families and kids, introducing the new characters.
It was an incredible experience working with Disney and Pixar and learning how carefully and thoughtfully these companies handle their franchises.
And yes, writing the dialogue and choices for Ducky, Bunny, Duke Kaboom, and Buzz Lightyear was my personal highlight!
Expedition Endzone
Expediton Endzone is an interactive audio adaption of the mini-games from the RTS video game Endzone – A World Apart. We did not change that much of the structure of these quests, but adopted the texts mostly to interactive audio format.
Which actually was quite challening. But the success made it worth the effort. 97% of players of the interactive audio story would like to get more such adentures from the Endzone universe. Well, let’s see what the future brings.
Together with: Lara Gmirek
Upcoming Projects by Christian Mahnke
Redemption (Interactive Audio Story)
Redemption is an interactive sci-fi audio story that I began plotting and writing in January 2024. Although I had to pause the project due to other commitments, a short demo story with 5 minutes of playtime has already been produced in spatial audio, thanks to a collaboration with Dolby Atmos.
I recently had the opportunity to experience my own story in a car equipped with full surround Dolby Atmos sound. The immersion was so intense, it blew me away. It’s incredible. I’m more excited than ever to continue writing and expanding this adventure.
Redemption: Coming soon
Kadras (Interactive Audio Story)
Kadras is one of my passion projects. Set in a dark and melancholic post-apocalyptic world, it delves into character relations and explores what truly drives mankind to survive.
While I can’t reveal too much at the moment, I started plotting and making notes back in 2022. Although I haven’t written much yet, I’m thrilled to share that the concept for this interactive audio story received funding from Games BW in March 2024.
Kadras: Coming soon
Seven Worlds (Interactive Audio Story)
Seven Worlds is a story idea that has been with me since 2020. I began writing the first chapter but had to stop and haven’t found the time to continue. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, this story contrasts with others by embracing a sense of wonder, awe, and humor. It’s about exploring magnificent worlds, unraveling mysteries, forging friendships, encountering quirky characters, and, of course, airships!