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Based on my inbox, today's a good day to dispel 7 common myths about game writing*.
Good for: people who want to make games; people who think they might want to; the morbidly curious. Let's goooo
*this thread will contain fun gifs
Good for: people who want to make games; people who think they might want to; the morbidly curious. Let's goooo
*this thread will contain fun gifs
1. Game writers are like TV/film writers: hired for a project, then ascend back into writer heaven awaiting their next contract
This is almost never true. We generally work in a studio alongside artists, designers, etc, and are part of the production process like everyone else.
This is almost never true. We generally work in a studio alongside artists, designers, etc, and are part of the production process like everyone else.
Crap I forgot a fun gif. Already failing my people.
Here's some Efron.
Here's some Efron.
Okay 2. Each game has âA WRITER,â again, like film/tv/books, who pitches and own THE STORY.
Sometimes... but rarely. Even if there is only one writer, many more people contribute to a game story: creative director (CD), game director, publishers, designers, artistsâŠ
Sometimes... but rarely. Even if there is only one writer, many more people contribute to a game story: creative director (CD), game director, publishers, designers, artistsâŠ
3. If you pitch a game studio your idea/script, it can get made!
I have never heard of this happening. Studios generate and circulate pitches internally; they don't take cold pitches. And if you send your cold pitch to a game writer, they legally canât read it. Pls donât do it.
I have never heard of this happening. Studios generate and circulate pitches internally; they don't take cold pitches. And if you send your cold pitch to a game writer, they legally canât read it. Pls donât do it.
4. Game writers have a say over what project they will be on and/or pitch their projects.
No, not usually. Game writers are brought on to help with production and MAYBE help figure out the game's flow; they usually have nothing to do with which projects get greenlit.
No, not usually. Game writers are brought on to help with production and MAYBE help figure out the game's flow; they usually have nothing to do with which projects get greenlit.
http://5.Game writing <<<< narrative design (or vice versa)
This oneâs tricky because different studios designate these terms differently. People have told me my job at Insom is closer to being a narrative designer since I help plot out gameplay/story/mission beats...
This oneâs tricky because different studios designate these terms differently. People have told me my job at Insom is closer to being a narrative designer since I help plot out gameplay/story/mission beats...
... but Iâve also known narrative designers who do way more implementation/greyboxing/coding than me.
Theyâre similar, and both require knowledge of storytelling, pacing, & gameplay mechanics (like a screenwriter should know how to use different cameras to tell a story)
Theyâre similar, and both require knowledge of storytelling, pacing, & gameplay mechanics (like a screenwriter should know how to use different cameras to tell a story)
6. Game writers just do, yâknow, the dialogue.
Ahahaha. Hahah. Hahahahahahaha.
There is a lot of text in games. Just, so much. Also: mission flows, action sequences, tutorials, characters, audition sides, advising during VO recordingâŠ
anyway, a lotâs going on.
Ahahaha. Hahah. Hahahahahahaha.
There is a lot of text in games. Just, so much. Also: mission flows, action sequences, tutorials, characters, audition sides, advising during VO recordingâŠ
anyway, a lotâs going on.
7. The only way to become a game writer is to start on small projects & work your way up.
You might stay on small projects all your life, and that's rad. Or not. Either way, there are lots of paths. I come from journalism; others I know came from books, film, TV, hypertext...
You might stay on small projects all your life, and that's rad. Or not. Either way, there are lots of paths. I come from journalism; others I know came from books, film, TV, hypertext...
... But to succeed as a game writer, you need some combo of:
-Good at dialogue/scene writing (and/or prose, depending on type of game)
-Great sense of pacing/drama
-Awesome at visual storytelling
-Understanding of interactivity & how it impacts narrative
-Good at dialogue/scene writing (and/or prose, depending on type of game)
-Great sense of pacing/drama
-Awesome at visual storytelling
-Understanding of interactivity & how it impacts narrative
Okay, those are my 7. Feel free to chime in more below, mon cherries.
