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Nicola Mari

As part of this Game Writer Course you will develop useful techniques to write and structure a story. In particular, attention will be focused on the storytelling implemented in videogames and how to write a script suitable for gaming, including cutscenes. Upon completion of the course, you will be able to produce a professional script for a videogame and propose it to videogame production companies. In addition, you will have the basics to work independently as a game writer to develop your own script (script) and you will be able to present your script to game development companies or work with them on the development of the plot/script of a videogame.

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As part of this Game Writer Course you will develop useful techniques to write and structure a story. In particular, attention will be focused on the storytelling implemented in videogames and how to write a script suitable for gaming, including cutscenes. Upon completion of the course, you will be able to produce a professional script for a videogame and propose it to videogame production companies. In addition, you will have the basics to work independently as a game writer to develop your own script (script) and you will be able to present your script to game development companies or work with them on the development of the plot/script of a videogame.

The course is structured in a consequential way, starting from how a story is divided and the creation of the macrostructure of the plot of the game, and then moving on how to write the characters (their personalities, their psychology, their ambitions), and then to learn in detail how to write dialogues and cutscenes (therefore the principles of game storytelling), up to the writing of the actual script (the game script), containing everything we need to define the design of our game.

The Game Writer Course Program includes the following lectures:

1 - The Three Act Structure of a Story

2 - Character Characterization and Narrative Arcs

3 - Dialogues and Cutscenes

4 – Script and Storyboard Document

5 – Extra: Practical Lecture of Game Script Writing

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • You will learn all the theoreticals and practicals basics of writing a videogame (story, dialogues, storytelling, script)
  • You will be able to write a script specifically for games
  • You will be able to write your videogame and to present it to game software houses
  • At the end of the course, you can transform your passion in a work

Syllabus

Introduzione

We start from the division of a story and from the making of a story macrostructure for our game.

You will learn how to write the Character Sheet for each character of your game and how to make a real narrative arc for your characters.

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You will learn how to write game dialogues and the art of storytelling in your game.

You will learn how to write a game script, with an additional storyboard. Also, you will learn how to fill all the necessary documents needed to present your game to game developers.

A final practical lecture about how to actually write a script specifically for gaming.

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Game Writer Course: Write your Videogame with these activities:
Review 'Save the Cat! Writes a Novel'
Learn about story structure and pacing to improve your game writing.
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes.
  • Identify the 15 beats in a game you like.
  • Apply the 'Save the Cat' method to your game script.
Review basic storytelling principles
Refresh your understanding of core storytelling concepts to prepare for the course's focus on game writing.
Show steps
  • Review online resources on storytelling.
  • Summarize key storytelling elements.
  • Analyze a game's narrative structure.
Develop a Game Concept Document
Create a detailed game concept document to apply the course's teachings on story structure, character development, and scriptwriting.
Show steps
  • Brainstorm game ideas and themes.
  • Outline the core gameplay mechanics.
  • Develop a detailed story synopsis.
  • Create character profiles for main characters.
  • Write a sample script for a key scene.
Four other activities
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Show all seven activities
Write a Short Game Script
Practice writing a short game script to solidify your understanding of dialogue, cutscenes, and game storytelling.
Show steps
  • Choose a game genre and setting.
  • Outline a short scene with dialogue.
  • Write the script using proper formatting.
  • Get feedback from peers on your script.
Review 'The Anatomy of Story'
Deepen your understanding of story structure and character arcs to enhance your game writing skills.
Show steps
  • Read the book and take detailed notes.
  • Analyze a game's story using Truby's 22 steps.
  • Apply Truby's principles to your game script.
Create a Game Storyboard
Develop a storyboard for a key scene in your game to visualize the narrative and improve your understanding of visual storytelling.
Show steps
  • Choose a scene from your game script.
  • Sketch out the key frames of the scene.
  • Add descriptions and dialogue to each frame.
  • Refine the storyboard based on feedback.
Contribute to a Game Modding Project
Gain practical experience by contributing to a game modding project, focusing on narrative elements and scriptwriting.
Show steps
  • Find a modding project for a game you enjoy.
  • Identify opportunities to contribute to the story.
  • Write dialogue or script for new scenes.
  • Test your contributions in the game.

Career center

Learners who complete Game Writer Course: Write your Videogame will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Video Game Writer
A Video Game Writer crafts the narratives, dialogues, and scripts that drive the player experience. This involves creating compelling storylines, developing character backstories, and writing engaging dialogue that fits the game's world and mechanics. The Game Writer Course: Write your Videogame offers techniques to write and structure stories, with a particular focus on storytelling implemented in videogames. The course teaches how to write scripts that are suitable for gaming, including cutscenes, which helps you produce a professional script for a videogame. Anyone wishing to become a Video Game Writer can learn to develop their own scripts and present them to game development companies.
Story Editor
A Story Editor reviews and refines narrative content, ensuring consistency, clarity, and coherence. This role involves working closely with writers to improve the story's flow, character development, and plot structure. The Game Writer Course: Write your Videogame offers Story Editors useful insight into the initial writing process and the techniques used to create a compelling narrative. Understanding the principles of game storytelling and scriptwriting helps a Story Editor effectively evaluate and enhance the quality of the narrative.
Narrative Designer
A Narrative Designer is responsible for the overall story direction and narrative elements within a video game. This encompasses creating the game's lore, defining the plot, designing quests, and ensuring that the narrative is cohesive and engaging for the player. The Game Writer Course: Write your Videogame helps with understanding how a story is divided and how to create the macrostructure of a game's plot. Through learning how to write character sheets and develop narrative arcs, you can create a more compelling and well-rounded game experience as a Narrative Designer. The opportunity to independently develop and present scripts will be useful.
Scriptwriter
A Scriptwriter specializes in writing scripts for various forms of media, including video games. This role involves creating the dialogue, scene descriptions, and character actions that bring the game's story to life. The Game Writer Course: Write your Videogame develops useful techniques to write and structure a story. By the end of the course, learners can produce professional scripts for video games, an essential skill for success as a Scriptwriter. The course's focus on dialogues and cutscenes provides a strong foundation for writing compelling game scripts.
Creative Director
A Creative Director oversees the creative aspects of a project, ensuring that the visual and narrative elements align with the overall vision. The Game Writer Course: Write your Videogame helps a Creative Director understand the writing process and its impact on the game's overall quality. Instruction on character development and narrative structure helps a Creative Director guide a writing team. Having familiarity with dialogue and cutscene creation helps the Creative Director ensure these elements enhance the player experience.
Freelance Writer
A Freelance Writer works independently, offering their writing services to various clients on a project-by-project basis. In the gaming industry, a Freelance Writer may be hired to write scripts, create marketing content, or develop game documentation. The Game Writer Course: Write your Videogame teaches how to write a script specifically for games, which may be useful for transforming one's passion into a freelance career. The course's focus on presenting scripts to game software houses helps freelancers connect with potential clients, and its focus on writing a script for gaming develops a portfolio of work.
Content Writer
A Content Writer creates engaging written material for various platforms, including websites, blogs, and marketing materials. In the context of video games, a Content Writer may produce articles, blog posts, or social media content related to the game's story, characters, or gameplay. The Game Writer Course: Write your Videogame may be useful for anyone wishing to succeed as a Content Writer in the gaming industry, because the course includes instruction on structuring stories and writing compelling dialogues. The course's focus on characters and narrative arcs helps one create engaging content that resonates with the audience.
Localization Specialist
A Localization Specialist adapts video game content for different regions and languages, ensuring that the game resonates with international audiences. While primarily focused on translation, understanding the original narrative and dialogue is crucial for effective localization. The Game Writer Course: Write your Videogame provides Localization Specialists with a deeper understanding of the game's narrative structure and character development. This understanding enables them to accurately convey the intended meaning and emotional impact in different languages, preserving the game's storytelling integrity.
Game Designer
A Game Designer is responsible for creating the overall vision and mechanics of a video game. While not exclusively focused on writing, a Game Designer often contributes to the game's story and narrative elements. The Game Writer Course: Write your Videogame may be useful for Game Designers interested in developing a game's story elements. The course teaches how to divide a story and create the plot's macrostructure. Learning how to write character sheets and develop narrative arcs helps anyone create a more compelling and well-rounded game experience.
Technical Writer
A Technical Writer creates documentation for video games, such as user manuals, tutorials, and developer guides. While not directly involved in crafting the game's narrative, clear and concise writing skills are essential for conveying technical information effectively. The Game Writer Course: Write your Videogame may be useful for developing clear and structured writing skills and would especially come in handy when documenting storylines. It will show Technical Writers how to divide a story into sections.
Quality Assurance Tester
A Quality Assurance Tester plays video games to identify bugs and ensure the game meets quality standards. While not directly involved in writing, a QA Tester's understanding of the game's narrative and dialogue can contribute to identifying inconsistencies or errors in the script. The Game Writer Course: Write your Videogame may be useful in that it develops a deeper appreciation for a game's writing and narrative. The course's lessons on how to write game dialogue and storytelling help one understand the intricacies of game narrative.
Podcast Producer
A Podcast Producer is responsible for overseeing the creation and distribution of podcast episodes. The Game Writer Course: Write your Videogame may be useful for writing dialogue in podcast episodes. The program includes lectures about writing dialogues and cutscenes.
Instructional Designer
An Instructional Designer creates learning materials, such as training manuals and online courses. The Game Writer Course: Write your Videogame may be useful for an Instructional Designer creating materials related to video game development or creative writing. The course teaches how to write scripts specifically for games, which one can integrate into instructional content. Furthermore, the course teaches the theoretical and practical basics of writing for video games, including story, dialogue, storytelling, and script writing.
Social Media Manager
A Social Media Manager is responsible for creating and managing a company's presence on social media platforms. The Game Writer Course: Write your Videogame may be useful for writing content, story, and dialogue as part of their marketing strategy. The program includes lectures about writing characters and building narrative arcs.
Film Director
A Film Director oversees the creative and technical aspects of film production, guiding the actors, cinematographers, and other crew members to bring the screenplay to life. The Game Writer Course: Write your Videogame would teach a film director how to be a game director. You will learn about different script formats and different ways to do storytelling. The program includes lectures about how write dialogues and cutscenes.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Game Writer Course: Write your Videogame.
Adapts the 'Save the Cat' screenwriting methodology to novel writing, which is highly relevant to game writing. It provides a structured approach to plotting and character development, essential for crafting compelling game narratives. While not specifically about game writing, the principles are directly transferable. It's a valuable resource for understanding story structure and character arcs.
Provides a deep dive into story structure and character development, offering a more advanced perspective than introductory guides. It's useful for understanding the underlying principles of storytelling and applying them to complex game narratives. While it's not game-specific, the concepts are highly relevant for crafting compelling and engaging game stories. It is best used as additional reading.

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