2 answers
Z
Student
Hickory, North Carolina
1
Question
Asked
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How do you get into the game industry as a writer?
I have considered writing video game narratives and storylines as a career, but I haven't found much on how to enter that industry without having knowledge on coding and/or starting by creating your own game.
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2 answers
Fasi Uddin Mir
17
Answers
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Updated
Fasi Uddin’s Answer
Hi Z,
You're not alone in wondering about a career in game writing. It can be less straightforward than programming or art, but it's definitely a real path.
You don't need to be a coding expert to write for games, but you should understand how games function as interactive experiences.
Game writing is unique and includes:
- Crafting dialogue that responds to player choices
- Designing branching story paths
- Collaborating with designers and developers
- Considering pacing, gameplay, and player experience
Studios often seek writers who demonstrate both writing skills and a grasp of gaming.
To get started:
- Build a small writing portfolio with dialogue samples, short stories, or branching narratives.
- Use tools like Twine to create simple interactive stories without needing to code.
- Join small game projects with student teams or online groups to gain real-world writing experience.
- Study how games tell stories by focusing on dialogue, choices, and pacing in the games you play.
You don't need to create a full game alone, but showing you understand writing's role in gameplay is crucial.
Many people enter game writing through related roles like narrative design, QA testing, or general game design, gradually shifting to writing-focused positions.
The path may not be direct, but it's achievable. Start building your work examples early, and keep focusing on writing and understanding game stories. You're on the right track by asking these questions.
Create a short interactive story using a free tool like Twine to understand branching narratives.
Write a sample dialogue scene for a game (including player choices and outcomes).
Start a small portfolio (even a simple document or website) to collect your writing samples.
Join a beginner game project or online team where you can contribute as a writer.
Play story-driven games and take notes on how dialogue and choices affect the player experience.
You're not alone in wondering about a career in game writing. It can be less straightforward than programming or art, but it's definitely a real path.
You don't need to be a coding expert to write for games, but you should understand how games function as interactive experiences.
Game writing is unique and includes:
- Crafting dialogue that responds to player choices
- Designing branching story paths
- Collaborating with designers and developers
- Considering pacing, gameplay, and player experience
Studios often seek writers who demonstrate both writing skills and a grasp of gaming.
To get started:
- Build a small writing portfolio with dialogue samples, short stories, or branching narratives.
- Use tools like Twine to create simple interactive stories without needing to code.
- Join small game projects with student teams or online groups to gain real-world writing experience.
- Study how games tell stories by focusing on dialogue, choices, and pacing in the games you play.
You don't need to create a full game alone, but showing you understand writing's role in gameplay is crucial.
Many people enter game writing through related roles like narrative design, QA testing, or general game design, gradually shifting to writing-focused positions.
The path may not be direct, but it's achievable. Start building your work examples early, and keep focusing on writing and understanding game stories. You're on the right track by asking these questions.
Fasi Uddin recommends the following next steps:
Anuj Gupta
Software Engineering
460
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Anuj’s Answer
A good mentor shortens your learning curve dramatically. Look for someone 5 to 10 years ahead of where you want to be and ask for periodic guidance rather than constant advice. Respect their time and come prepared with specific questions.