Game Writing

Video game writing entails crafting storylines for video games and developing characters, including their backstory and dialogues. Some of the things video game writers create include side quests, character descriptions, and cut scenes. The video game writer’s role may change depending on what stage they’re at during the production process. For example, the writer must research and determine the game’s needs during conception. In the postproduction phase, the writer may need to proofread the text and make necessary changes.

Aside from bringing the game to life, effective video game writing can make a game feel more immersive and engaging to the player. Good writing helps a player understand the game—what it is about, how its world works, how to play it, and who its characters are.

One aspect in which video game writing differs from other forms of media is interactivity. Video games are interactive and, thus, require writing that’s capable of bringing that aspect to life. Another aspect to consider is structure and pacing. The writer follows a specific structure when writing a novel or short story.

In video game writing, many variables can influence a game’s structure and pacing, including the game’s duration and the player’s progress. You also have to consider that not all games are made the same. Some games are non-linear and allow the players to influence the story’s pacing, while others may involve several side quests or micro-tasks that can affect the overall gameplay.

The writer must be skilled in creative writing and understand the game’s characters, plot, and story. Aside from these skills and having a passion for video games, they should be open to collaboration, as they will work with artists, voice actors, and game designers. It helps if the writer has some coding knowledge, making it easier for video game writers to discuss the game’s development with the designers.

When hiring a video game writer, look for someone with prior gaming industry experience and familiar with your game’s genre. For example, if you were making a role-playing game, then you should be adept at writing complex narratives and characters. They should know how to take constructive criticism, given that they’ll work with others to create a compelling, interactive game. Look at their writing portfolio to understand their range and find out what other projects they’ve worked on.

There are several ways to measure your writing’s success. These include:

• Gamer experience – This includes the number of daily and monthly active users, number of referrals and new players, player retention rate, and user lifetime value.
• Play session length – Identify what your game’s typical and optimal play session lengths are.
• Number of people who complete the game – Many factors contribute to a game’s non-completion, and your narrative is one of them.

Other important metrics include engagement rate (when do players abandon the game?) and how many friends they’re connected with in a game (for multiplayer games). Methods to measure your writing’s success include A/B testing and measuring the game’s K-factor, which assesses a game’s potential to go viral and achieve sustainable growth.

Before hiring a video game writer, evaluate their writing samples. Assess the quality, style, tone, and content of their writing. You want to pick a candidate who knows the industry and is familiar with your game’s genre and target audience.

Ensuring a successful collaboration means establishing well-defined roles and respecting the other members’ roles and contributions. Clearly outlining the different processes involved also helps. Successful collaborations also entail regularly communicating and coordinating with other writers, designers, and developers. This makes the story’s narrative consistent and cohesive with the game’s other elements. Use project management or communication platforms like Slack, Trello, and Google Docs to facilitate collaboration.