From Fan Fiction to Writing for EA: The Journey of Curtis Baxter

This interview is part of a series offering insight into the experiences of Black professionals in the gaming sector. Curtis Baxter, senior writer on EA's Black Panther game, reflects on his journey, from creating Kingdom Hearts fan movies to joining Cliffhanger Games. He emphasizes the value of mentorship, having had a teaching assistant who helped him develop his writing skills, and the importance of internships, which allowed him to build genuine relationships in the industry. Baxter also discusses the challenges he faced, including being wrongfully fired from a previous role due to racially motivated reasons. He notes that the gaming industry still has a long way to go in terms of diversity and inclusion, with many companies abandoning their DEI programs. Baxter advises young Black game professionals to focus on developing their skills, learning to write in different voices, and building authentic relationships through internships and mentorships.