Xalavier Nelson Jr.
Xalavier Nelson Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Nelson in 2024 | |
| Born | December 10, 1999 |
| Citizenship | American |
| Occupation | Video game developer |
| Notable work | Clickolding, Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator, El Paso, Elsewhere, |
| Website | https://www.strangescaffold.com/ |
Xalavier Nelson Jr. is a video game developer, writer, voice actor, and the founder of indie game studio Strange Scaffold.[1][2] Nelson was inspired to create video games with a focus on shorter playtime lengths and ethical production cycles, citing his frustration with burnout and perceived unhealthy industry practices.[3]
Career
Nelson began as a video game reviewer and wrote articles for PC Gamer.[3] Eventually, he realized that he wanted to tell narrative stories using video games, which led the production of his first game as creative director, An Airport for Aliens Currently Run by Dogs.[3]
In 2025, it was announced Nelson would voice Aidan Lynch, the lead character in the upcoming 2026 survival horror action video game, Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival.[4]
Awards and accomplishments
In 2024, Nelson was published as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree for his contributions to the gaming industry.[5] That year, Nelson also won the Black in Gaming Indie Developer Award,[6] and Nelson's game El Paso, Elsewhere was nominated for the D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game at the 27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.[7]
In 2025, Nelson was named one of BAFTA's Breakthroughs for the United States.[8]
Works
The following list is not comprehensive.
| Year | Game | Credited as |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Hypnospace Outlaw | Writer[9] |
| 2019 | Can Androids Pray | Writer |
| 2020 | Cellular Harvest | Writer |
| 2020 | Reigns: Beyond | Writer |
| 2021 | Adios | Producer |
| 2021 | An Airport for Aliens Currently Run by Dogs | Designer[10] |
| 2021 | Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator | Designer |
| 2023 | El Paso, Elsewhere | Director |
| 2024 | Life Eater | Director |
| 2024 | Clickolding | Director |
| 2024 | I Am Your Beast | Director |
| 2025 | Skin Deep | Additional writing |
| 2025 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown | Director |
| 2026 | Space Warlord Baby Trading Simulator | Director |
References
- ^ Goldberg, Harold (2024-08-22). "A Video Game Dynamo With Strange Ideas Always Swirling". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
- ^ "Aftermath".
- ^ a b c https://www.gamesindustry.biz/finding-humanity-in-an-airport-for-aliens-currently-run-by-dogs
- ^ https://x.com/WritNelson/status/1947660138988638250
- ^ "Forbes 30 Under 30 2024: Games". Forbes. 2023-11-28. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
- ^ Carter, Justin (2024-03-21). "Are game studios suddenly abandoning Black developers?". Game Developer. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
- ^ "27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Finalists Revealed". AIAS. 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
- ^ "Meet the 2025 US Breakthroughs". Bafta. 2025-12-02. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
- ^ Reuben, Nic (2024-05-12). "What's on your bookshelf?: El Paso, Elsewhere and Hypnospace Outlaw's Xalavier Nelson Jr". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
- ^ "Our Games". Strange Scaffold. 2023-09-17. Retrieved 2025-04-29.