ADVANCED GAME WRITING

Get to know — or reunite with — your instructor, dive into what’s in store for the next 12 classes, and discover how you’ll turn your game writing skills into an epic, original project. By the end of this course, you’ll even have the chance to showcase your work to the ELVTR Gamer Guild — who knows, it might just be the start of your dream team!

• Meet your instructor & class overview
• Goals for Advanced Game Writing
• Industry insights & staying optimistic
• Q&A session

This class gives you a quick refresher on key writing skills like screenwriting, character development, and feedback. Plus, you’ll connect — or reconnect — with classmates. It’s the first step toward crafting the foundation of your next original game.

• Screenwriting essentials
• Character, themes, outlines, and dialogue
• The art of feedback
• Breakout rooms: Meet your fellow students

Assignment 1: Cinematic Script 
Craft a 2-3 page scene from one of the provided prompts.

Screenwriting is an essential skill for every game writer. Explore screenwriting techniques and see how they translate into killer game scenes and quests. By the end, you'll know how to make your scenes come to life and nail that studio writing test. Plus, we'll have some fun reading each other's in-progress scripts.

• The anatomy of a strong scene
• Adapting scenes into quests
• Writing gameplay inside a scene
• How to ace a game studio’s writing test
• Workshop: Table reads
  

Branching dialoue is a staple of many narrative games. In this class, you'll learn how to build branching dialogues that give players real choices without blowing the scope. Plus, we’ll outline a branching narrative together. Time to make those decisions matter!

• The power of “choice” in games
• Crafting effective and engaging dialogue options
• How to use conditionals and if/then statements
• Workshop: Outlining a branching narrative sequence

Discover three game engines — Ink, Twine, and Ren'Py — and learn how to create interactive narratives with minimal coding. By the end of this class, you'll be ready to turn your story ideas into playable experiences.

• Demos: Ink, Twine, Ren’Py
• Strengths, weaknesses, and best practices
• Course project introduction

Final Assignment Introduction: Interactive Game
Design a game using Twine, Ink, Ren'Py, or any other game engine of your choice.

Master worldbuilding that captivates without overwhelming. You'll learn how to shape rich environments, sociologies, and backstories, while making sure your lore hooks, rather than bores. Let's make sure your worlds are as fascinating to others as they are to you.

• Environmental storytelling
• Sociological and ensemble storytelling
• Best practices for lore bibles
• Weaving lore and exposition into your story

Assignment 2: Lore Bible Outline
Start building a lore bible to organize and present your project’s world.

A good producer knows how to give the creative team freedom to experiment, while keeping the project on track. Let’s be real — producing is basically “herding cats.” You’ll learn how to balance creativity with structure & use frameworks to set goals and manage tasks, all while hearing insider tips from industry pros.

• How to scope a project
• Working within constraints 
• Task tracking and scheduling
• Setting goals using a framework methodology

Assignment 3 (Optional): Task Tracker
Set up a task tracker for your final project.

Wow your audience! In this class, you'll pick up smart tips for engaging virtual and in-person presentations to either investors, coworkers, or leads. Learn how to make your slides pop and get some hands-on practice pitching your ideas.

• Structuring an effective presentation
• Public speaking tips & tricks
• The difference between a good and a bad slide 
• Workshop: Pitch practice

Assignment 4 (Optional): Pitch Deck
Create a pitch deck to showcase your final project.

Playtesting is a crucial part of the game development process. You'll learn how to run effective tests, gather valuable feedback, and fine-tune your game like a pro. Get ready to explore different methodologies, craft insightful surveys, and ace focus groups.

• How, why, and when to run a playtest
• Different playtest methodologies
• Writing and administering surveys
• Best practices for focus groups

Assignment 5: Playtest
Conduct a playtest for your course project game.

LLMs are a hot topic, to say the least. Let’s talk about it. Will Chat GPT replace writers? Should we treat this new technology as a game-changer or just another buzzword? Should we ignore the ethical concerns? Spoiler: “No” to all three.

• Use cases and criticisms of LLMs
• ChatGPT as a creative writing tool: Limitations
• Exploring ethical concerns and nuanced discussions

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” remember? In this class, you'll discover how leading with empathy can transform your team dynamics, turn stressful moments into growth opportunities, and harness the power of diversity to drive group game development. Let's make teamwork not just effective, but enjoyable and impactful.

• Leading with empathy
• Managing upwards
• The power of diversity
• Radical candor

Pitching an idea is a skill – one that we’ll practice in a group. You'll refine your pitch and get real-time feedback on your projects, honing the ability to sell your ideas.

• Workshop: Pitch deck presentations

The video game industry is tumultuous. Well-funded AAA games often fail, while tiny teams and solo devs can hit it big. How do you operate in such a chaotic industry? From launching your own studio to mastering funding and marketing, we’ll navigate the mess and hear from industry pros to guide you through it all.

• How to (legally) form your own studio
• Searching for funding
• Marketing your projects
• Setting budgets

Assignment 6: Course Project
Develop a playable game that showcases your skills in writing and narrative design.

Gear up for the Pitch-a-thon, an event available to the entire ELVTR Game Development alumni. Grab your 5-10 minutes of fame to pitch your game ideas to your peers. It's your chance to form dream teams and turn your vision into reality!