Michael Vogt
I am a narrative lead with 14+ years’ experience developing story-driven games from concept through release.
At IO Interactive, I have been Main Writer across multiple celebrated AAA titles, including 007 First Light, and the HITMAN World of Assassination trilogy.
My role spans story/IP creation, scriptwriting, worldbuilding, narrative design and moment-to-moment integration of story with gameplay and player experience - in close collaboration with creative leadership, and production.
I have a structured approach based in the classic screenwriting craft and my guiding principle is to always aim for the highest common denominator.
I also write screenplays, comic books and novels.
007 First Light (2026)
Main Writer
A unique stand-alone James Bond game, reimagining the origin of the world's most famous spy.
HITMAN 3 (2021)
Main Writer
The third and final installment in IO Interactive's lauded "World of Assassination" trilogy. Hitman 3 is a AAA social stealth-puzzle game and a globe-trotting spy thriller.
HITMAN 2 (2018)
Main Writer
The second installment in IO Interactive's lauded "World of Assassination" trilogy, Hitman 2 is a AAA social stealth-puzzle game and a globe-trotting spy thriller.
HITMAN (2016)
Main Writer
The first installment in IO Interactive's lauded "World of Assassination" trilogy, Hitman is a AAA social stealth-puzzle game and a golbe-trotting spy thriller.
“007: First Light” is not only the best Bond game ever made, it’s also the best Bond story since “Casino Royale” in 2006.
- Washington Post
"The writing is excellent, blending a world of serious consequences with a steady supply of on-brand oneliners ... The evolution of this risky young Bond over the course of the story feels logical and earned to the point where the final moments before the credits left me literally cheering at the screen.
- IGN
A narrative tour-de-force. I cannot stress enough how well written First Light is ... IO delivers the sharpest, most entertaining script in the triple-A space since Eidos' Guardians of the Galaxy game, one where almost every line lands with wit, soul, or both.
- Eurogamer
As far as Bond video games go, nobody has done it better.
- The Guardian
A perfect 007 story.
- Vice
“The game is remarkable not just for its masterful level design and its penchant for turning familiar elements of the series on their heads, but for how skillfully it brings to bear the accumulated weight of its characters’ actions — and brings it crashing down on their heads with devastating consequences.”
- Polygon
“This story recharacterizes Hitman as an adorable vigilante fighting against corruption amongst the one per cent. Any new players coming into the franchise at this trilogy is about to get taken for one of the most satisfyingly cathartic rides video gaming has ever produced.”
- Super Bunnyhop
FALL OF GODS (2015 - 2021)
Author
An illustrated novel trilogy created by MOOD Visuals and funded by Kickstarter, Fall of Gods is a fantasy-sci-fi drama inspired by Norse mythology. The series has been optioned by Disney and 20th Century Fox.
FALL OF GODS 3: Animal Shadow (2021)
FALL OF GODS 2: The Faceless King (2018)
FALL OF GODS 1: She Is Gone (2015)
Music Videos
Writer and Creative Producer (at Good Boy! Creative)