BECOME A GAME WRITER

Learn about the role of storytelling, game writers’ skills, and common tools.

Assignment #1: Game Story
Pick a game you are currently playing and explain why you find the story effective.

Good ideas can stem from anywhere and be built upon. Learn how narrative elements intersect with game development and how to be analytical with your storytelling.

Assignment #2: Applying Approaches (optional)
Using the game outlined in assignment 1, discuss ways in which it may have been improved with a different approach taken during the game development process.

How do you actually start a story? With a plot? With an idea? Learn to make your narrative sing by balancing it with game design.

Assignment #3: Player Choice and Branching Story (optional)
Choose a popular film and imagine how it could be different if player choice and a branching story were used.

Your character is more than your plot. They have a life & personality of their own. Let’s learn how to bring them to life and stay consistent with their thoughts, actions, and motivations.

Assignment #4: Hero Character
Create a hero character using the template outlined in this session.

Here’s a tip: You should be able to guess which character is speaking simply by reading a random line. Here’s the lesson: In today’s class we’ll learn ways to approach dialogue. And we’ll learn how to connect the visuals with the words.

Assignment #5: Writing Scenes with Dialogue
Write a scene in two ways - one with spoken dialogue and one in text.

Learn about the tropes that exist in different genres. This way your dialogue will never break tension but collaborate with it.

Assignment #6: Genre Analysis and Rewrite
Students are assigned a specific game genre. They are to analyze the storytelling techniques and tropes typically used in that genre. Then, they must choose an existing game of a different genre and "rewrite" it to fit the assigned genre.

Grasp the big picture as you blend gameplay and cutscenes to allow the player to have autonomy.

Assignment #7: Seamless Cutscene Transition
Write a scene that starts in gameplay and transitions into a cutscene seamlessly.

Learning how to add value will make you an asset. The goal is to make a brand stronger and to deepen the relationship with the audience and characters. But how? Let’s find out!

You’re creative. So you likely want to create tons of outcomes. But the budget might say otherwise. Learn to limit choices & use the craft of writing to give the illusion of autonomy to the player.

Assignment #8: Player Autonomy
Write an outline for a branching conversation with no more than three outcomes, preserving the illusion of player autonomy.

Mobile games, VR games & console games have different requirements and expectations. Learn how to adjust your writing to the desired platform.

Assignment #9: Platform Narrative Adaptation Project
Students will take an existing short narrative and adapt it into a game narrative for three different platforms: console, mobile, and VR.

This is a part of the job where you’ll likely bump heads. So you’ll learn to problem solve, blend ideas, and work professionally in the industry. In this class, you’ll find commonalities with game designers and other writers to produce an engaging story.

Assignment #10: RPG Game Story Concept
Prepare a story concept for an RPG-style game that includes branching dialogue and a minimum of two game endings.

Networking. Career possibilities. Industry trends. And getting your foot in the door! Learn what to highlight and what to avoid when interacting with your next employer.

Assignment #11: Course Project Storyboard for a Video Game
Develop a storyboard for a video game that visually represents the narrative and how it progresses, including important plot points and character development.