Game Rant

Hank Whitson-Interview Writer

Hank Whitson

Interview Writer

  • 417
    articles
  • 114
    News
  • 297
    Features
  • 5
    Guides
  • 2
    Other

About Hank Whitson

Hank Whitson is a pop culture omnivore, gaming geek, escapism nerd, and unrepentant anime addict who has been writing for Game Rant since 2020. He plays and writes about literally everything, but holds a special place in his heart for compelling stories, creative combat, and clever worldbuilding. He attended UCI for his Bachellor's in English and graduated with a special emphasis in Creative writing. At GA Tech, he served as the Entertainment Editor of the award-winning student newspaper, The Technique, and graduated with a Masters in Digital Media having written a thesis on videogame analysis and criticism.

LinkedIn | Muck Rack | Xitter

Industry Focus

I am fascinated by the creative process of game development and enjoy working the interview beat because it allows me to interact with professionals from every facet of the field working on an extremely broad variety of titles. My professional and personal expertise lies with narrative analysis and literary criticism of video games.

Favorite Games

I based the majority of my personality on Final Fantasy 7. Atlus invaded my thoughts and built Persona 5 for me specifically. I am addicted to Genshin Impact. I drink my morning coffee over Doom Eternal and play Beat Saber to stay in shape. Witcher 3's "botchling quest" still haunts me. I'm currently on my first 4-player campaign in Baldur's Gate 3. It is a crime that Bloodborne has not been remade for PC and I will die on that hill, but I don't think it needs a sequel. My Jedi Survivor lighstaber is orange. Tetris is unironically cool.

Proudest Gaming Achievement

To my knowledge, I was the first kid in Pasadena, California to complete the original Pokedex. 

Latest Articles

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The Thaumaturge Dev Talks Challenges of Making a New IP

Game Rant speaks to The Thaumaturge developer Fool's Theory about developing its original universe and using it to tell meaningful stories.

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Why The Thaumaturge's Poland Setting is so Important to Fool's Theory

Game Rant speaks with The Thaumaturge's design director about the upcoming CRPG's setting and why it is so important to Fool's Theory.

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The Thaumaturge Dev Dives into Early Development, Influences, and More

The Thaumaturge's design director details the earliest days of the game's development, as well as how its past work has influenced it.

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The 10 Best Changes to Genshin Impact in 2023

Hoyoverse continues to expand and refine its incredibly popular gacha RPG, and these are the 10 best changes Teyvat saw in 2023.

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The 10 Best Video Game Weapons of 2023

It's time to review the most satisfying, innovative, and effective weaponry video games had to offer players in 2023.

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The Invincible Devs Talk Development, Adapting Stanislaw Lem's Work, and More

Developers at Starward Industries discuss the development of The Invincible, as well as adapting the title from Stanislaw Lem's namesake novel.

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Why The Invincible Created New Characters Instead of Using Rohan

Game Rant speaks with Starward Industries' art director, Wojciech Ostrycharz, about Yasna, modernization, and leveraging video games as a medium.

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The Invincible: How Starward Industries' CD Projekt Red, Techland Experience Informed the Game

In a GR interview, Starward Industries CEO details how the studio's CD Projekt Red and Techland experience helped in The Invincible's development.

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The Invincible: What is Necroevolution?

Game Rant speaks with Starward Industries CEO, Marek Markuszewski, about a vital sci-fi concept in Stanisław Lem's novel and its upcoming adaptation.

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Apex Legends S19 Interview: Respawn Talks Conduit, Storm Point Rework, and Promo Trials

Game Rant speaks with Respawn Entertainment about the major updates coming to Apex Legends in season 19, including new Legend Conduit

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Apex Legends' Conduit Writer Details Superfan Inspirations and Backstory

Game Rant chats with Christal Rose Hazelton, the writer behind the newest addition to the Apex Legends roster, about Conduit's history.

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Apex Legends Dev Talks Designing Conduit's Kit, Her Role in a Team Comp

Game Rant talks with Chris Winder about designing Conduit's kit, balancing her tactical ability, and her role in a team.

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Cocoon Interview: Dev Talks Boss Fights, Vertex Painting, Audio Composition, and More

Game Rant speaks with Jeppe Carlsen, Jakob Schmid, and Erwin Kho about their mind-bending, worlds-within-worlds puzzle adventure game Cocoon.

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Jeppe Carlsen Details Puzzle Design Philosophy for Cocoon

Game Rant speaks with Jeppe Carlsen, Cocoon creative lead and founder of Geometric Interactive, about his unique approach to designing puzzles.

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Geometric Interactive Discusses Cocoon’s Cut Walker-Vehicle Section

Game Rant chats with Jeppe Carlsen and the Geometric Interactive team about pacing, focus, and the section of Cocoon that didn't make the final cut.

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Star Ocean: The Second Story R Interview - Devs Discuss Nostalgia, Modernization, and More

Game Rant speaks with Yuichiro Kitao, Yukinori Masuda, and the SOSSR development team about the major changes in the upcoming remake of a PS1 classic.

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Star Ocean: The Second Story R Dev Details New Combat and QOL Features Coming to the Remake

Director Yuichiro Kitao discusses combat system upgrades, tempo adjustments, and other important updates coming to the Star Ocean 2 remake.

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Star Ocean: The Second Story R Developer Talks 2.5D Pixel Art and Aesthetics

Yukinori Masuda talks about 2.5D graphics, retouching sprites for modern gamers, and respecting the source material of Star Ocean: The Second Story.

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How Lies of P Balances Build Depth and Build Variety

Game Rant speaks with developers at Neowiz about the many character-building options in its upcoming Pinocchio-inspired soulslike game.

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How Lies of P Captures the 'Duality' of the Belle Epoque Period

Game Rant speaks to Neowiz about the opulence, squalor, and cultural touchstones that shape Lies of P's alternative historical setting.

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