Breathing Life of Creativity into Storytelling

Shilo's Journey Continues...

I Love Being a Writer

I’m an Artistic Writer of sorts! Love working with everyone at Gateway Video Games, Play Design & Publishing

“Supported by Art Box means a lot to me” -Raven Mercado

Some of the most talented artists' artwork is displayed at www.artboxdesigns.com

Raven Mercado played a pivotal creative role in shaping Shilo the Wind Dancer, one of the most imaginative and emotionally resonant characters being developed for Gateway’s emerging video game design and publishing initiative. From the earliest brainstorming sessions, Raven approached Shilo not simply as a playable hero, but as a narrative anchor capable of carrying thematic weight across the game’s world.

Art concept of Shilo’s Journey age older … future project in the upcoming

Their writing blended lore, personality, and gateway video game play expression into a unified vision, ensuring that Shilo’s identity felt purposeful rather than ornamental. Raven began by exploring the symbolic meaning of wind — its freedom, unpredictability, and quiet strength — and used those qualities to define Shilo’s temperament and backstory.

A scene from upcoming graphic novel Shilo’s Origins

Instead of relying on traditional warrior archetypes, Raven envisioned Shilo as a dancer whose movements channel ancient aeromantic traditions, allowing them to glide, twist, and redirect the world’s currents with both elegance and precision.

I’m creating short trips of Shilo’s Journey in simple comic strips “ Building up a fan base 🙌

I’m happy to say after my long art sketching concepts and writing ✍️ endless hours of writing . Bogue Soap comes through.

Bogue Soap

A Still Shot of Shilo’s Journey animation (wanted to give it old school style 😎)

This approach gave the character a unique emotional core: Shilo is someone who listens to the world as much as they act upon it, someone who believes that every breeze carries a message and every gust is a reminder that nothing in life remains still for long. Raven’s narrative work directly influenced gameplay design, inspiring traversal mechanics, combat animations, and ability names that reflect Shilo’s fluid, rhythmic style.

Vegan Cauli Puffs perfect snacks for Perfect Artists to snack on for long hours in the Storyboards meetings.

www.caulipuffs.com

The Tech Crew of Gateway Video Game Play Design & Publishing, their collaboration with designers and artists helped ensure that every aspect of Shilo — from visual silhouette to in‑game abilities — felt cohesive and grounded in story logic. Beyond character creation, Raven contributed to early publishing materials, drafting bios, pitch summaries, and tone‑setting documents that helped the entire team understand Shilo’s role within the broader Gateway universe. Their writing provided clarity, emotional depth, and a sense of direction that guided concept artists, animators, and system designers alike. Thanks to Raven’s thoughtful contributions, Shilo the Wind Dancer emerged not just as a character, but as a symbol of movement, resilience, and the quiet power of listening to the world’s unseen currents.

Sometimes I need out of the studio, like working and creating at Taverna Costeria