Writing is a skill many people have but only those skilled and passionate enough about it can turn it into a profitable career. So what exactly does a Video Game Writer do? We’re going to show you what it takes and how you can become a writer for Video Games.
What is Video Game Writing?
Video Game Writing is the art & craft of writing scripts and narratives for video games. While there are a lot of RPGs out there with great dialogues and amazing stories, it doesn’t necessarily mean that storytelling works only in form from written lines and texts. In fact, there are games out there that hardly contain any dialogue like Shadow of the Colossus, Journey, The Last Guardian and similar games but they still carry you through a set of emotional shifts, tonal changes, and meaningful moments that make you remember them. Those types of games also required a lot of writing and iterations upfront to be even able to tell their tale by using as little to no words. While games can be fun even without a story, it can greatly enhance the experience on the way.
What does a Video Game Writer do?
Video Game Writers assist the team with the creation of the story for their product. They write everything from the dialogue between characters, their backstory to tutorials, character descriptions and voice lines. Writers work closely together with the Game Designers, Voice Actors, and the rest of the team to ensure the right feeling and flow for the game.
They often have to do an extensive research on historical, game related or genre specific aspects to enhance the authenticity & immersiveness while helping to make the fictional world as believable and cohesive as possible.
You’ll be involved in the creation process of the game from start to finish and iterate the text for as long as needed until it fits the vision. Even after the game is finished, writers often play through the game and make changes to different parts of the project if they find any plot holes or mistakes in the game.
What kind of skills do I need as a Video Game Writer?
In addition to a passion for Video Games and their creation, a Game Writer needs to have the following skills:
- Writing & Story Telling
- Research & Organizational Skills
- Scripting/Coding
- Creative Mindset
- Communication
- …
As a Video Game Writer you have to know what kind of writing style is required for all the different parts & genres in the Game Industry. They have to be willing to revise and edit extensively in response to their team’s feedback while also being mindful to keep the general feel of the game and avoid plot holes as best as they possibly can.
How do I get a job as a Video Game Writer?
Some companies expect their video game writers to have college degrees while others are fine with self-taught writers. Consider earning a Bachelor’s Degree in English, Creative Writing or any related field to further enhance your skills and experiences so you have an increased chance of landing a job.
Create a portfolio to showcase your work and to demonstrate what you can do:
- Show variety in your Portfolio
- Focus on Quality instead of Quantity
- Showcase your skill range as a Writer & Designer
- Show that you’re a clear and effective communicator
- Make sure there are no grammar or spelling mistakes
- Take your time and make it look professional
- …
If it’s possible, try to include playable or interactive projects you’ve worked on in the past. They can be official as well as private projects you’ve been a part of as long as you make sure they work properly. Recruiters have to read through dozens if not hundreds of applications daily so using an interactive element instead of only including text snippets is definitely going to help you stand out from the crowd.
What kind of programs should a Video Game Writer look into?
Video Game Writers have to be very organized and structured in order to ensure good world building:
- Writing Software (Scrivener, Evernote,…)
- Project Management Software (Trello, Nuclino,…)
- Game Engines (e.g. Unity, Unreal,…)
- …
While coding isn’t a necessary skill for most writers, more and more studios teach their writers how to use Game Engines so that they can build and implement the dialogues directly into the game itself.
How much money does a Video Game Writer make?
Those numbers can vary greatly depending on the company, genre, style, experience, skills etc. but according to Salary.com a Game Writer makes between $64k- $90k and the average income is around $76k per year.
If you’re interested in becoming a writer for video games, you might want to look into how a video game script is written as well:
When Stories Come To Life – How To Write A Video Game Script
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