Xalavier Nelson Jr.
Xalavier Nelson Jr. is a video game developer, writer, voice actor, and the founder of indie game studio Strange Scaffold. 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.
Career
Nelson began as a video game reviewer and wrote articles for PC Gamer. 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.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.
Awards and accomplishments
In 2024, Nelson was published as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree for his contributions to the gaming industry. That year, Nelson also won the Black in Gaming Indie Developer Award, 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.In 2025, Nelson was named one of BAFTA's Breakthroughs for the United States.