A video game writer is a professional who creates the stories, dialogues and other written content for video games. They are responsible for creating engaging and immersive narratives that keep players invested in the game world and its characters.
Becoming a Video Game Writer
To become a video game writer, one must have a passion for storytelling and an interest in video games. A bachelor’s degree in English, creative writing, journalism or a related field can be helpful, but it is not always required. Many successful video game writers come from diverse backgrounds, including literature, film, and journalism.
There are several steps that aspiring video game writers can take to break into the industry:
-
Build a portfolio: Create a portfolio of your writing work, including samples of your dialogue, narrative, and any other written content you have created for games. This will show potential employers what you are capable of and give them a taste of your style.
-
Network: Attend industry events, join online communities, and connect with other video game writers to learn more about the industry and gain insights into how to break in.
-
Internships and freelancing: Consider taking on internships or freelance writing gigs to gain experience and build your portfolio. This will also give you the opportunity to meet people in the industry and potentially lead to full-time employment.
-
Self-publishing: If you have a story that you believe would make a great video game, consider self-publishing it as a web novel or ebook. This can help you gain recognition and potentially lead to paid writing opportunities.
What do Video Game Writers do?
Video game writers work closely with game developers, producers, and designers to create stories that fit within the game’s overall narrative. They may work on dialogue, cutscenes, quests, and other written content for the game. Their role can vary depending on the size of the studio and the complexity of the project, but typically involves the following tasks:
-
Conceptualize stories: Video game writers brainstorm ideas for storylines, characters, and settings that will fit within the game’s world and themes. They may also work with other creatives to develop the game’s overall narrative structure.
-
Write dialogue: Video game writers write dialogue for characters in the game, including conversations between players and non-playable characters (NPCs). They may also write cutscenes and other scripted content that advances the story.
-
Collaborate with team members: Video game writers work closely with game designers, producers, and artists to ensure that their writing fits within the game’s overall vision and mechanics. They may also work with localization teams to translate their work into multiple languages.
-
Edit and revise: Video game writers may need to make changes to their work based on feedback from team members or playtesting. They must be able to take criticism constructively and make revisions that improve the game’s overall experience.
-
Stay up-to-date with trends: Video game writers must stay current with industry trends and best practices in order to create engaging and immersive narratives. This may involve attending industry events, reading trade publications, or participating in online communities.
Case Studies
Let’s take a look at some real-life examples of how video game writers have contributed to popular games:
-
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: CD Projekt Red’s video game writer Jakub Rokosz has been credited with helping to create the game’s complex and engaging storyline. He worked closely with the game’s main writer, Andrzej Sapkowski, to adapt his book series into a game that would appeal to both fans of the books and new players.
-
The Last of Us: Video game writer Neil Druckmann has been praised for his work on Naughty Dog’s hit game. He won several awards for his writing, including a BAFTA Games Award for Best Game Direction. Druckmann’s work helped to create a compelling narrative that resonated with players and earned critical acclaim.
-
Horizon Zero Dawn: Guerrilla Games’ video game writer Richard Devine has been credited with helping to create the game’s unique world and characters.
