Writing Video Game Scenes and Dialogue from edX

Increasingly, game designers are realizing that cutscenes, cinematics and character interactions through dialogue are not just breaks from gameplay, or ways of providing exposition. They are integral to the player’s experience of a game. Talking is action. Dialogue is gameplay.

In this course we will explore how to create compelling, vital scenes, and how to use dialogue to support gameplay, deepen character, and advance the game’s story.

Early career game writers will often get their first experience writing dialogue for NPCs, especially the infamous barks and taunts. We’ll show you how to make this dialogue work, when it should sing and when it should be invisible.

Verified learners will access additional game industry interviews, assignments and discussion topics, connecting with a community of other writers and game enthusiasts.

What you'll learn

The importance of voice and how to find and develop it
How scenes work, and how to build and deepen them
How to write unskippable dialogue
The fundamental building blocks of cinematic storytelling
How to excel at writing ambient conversations, barks and taunts.

What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1: Voice

Finding voice

Developing voice

Supporting gameplay

Module 2: Scenes

Scene structure

Building scenes

Deepening scenes

Module 3: Cinematics and Cutscenes

Cutscenes

Cinematic storytelling

Formatting

Module 4: In-Game Dialogue

Supporting level design

Triggers

Module 5: Ambient Conversations, Barks and Taunts

Ambient conversations

Barks and taunts

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores how to write dialogue that supports gameplay, deepens character, and advances a game's story, which is standard in industry game design practices

Taught by Peter Boychuk and Andrew Gray, who are recognized for their work in games writing

Develops skills in writing dialogue for NPCs, ambient conversations, barks, and taunts, which are core skills for game writers

Covers scenes, cinematics, cutscenes, and in-game dialogue, which are essential elements of game design

Examines how voice, dialogue, and dialogue systems can enhance the player's experience of a game, which is highly relevant to game design

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 Writing Video Game Scenes and Dialogue with these activities:

Practice writing dialogue

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Reinforce your dialogue writing skills before the course begins to improve your ability to create compelling character interactions.

Browse courses on Dialogue Writing

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Write a short dialogue between two characters
Identify the main goal of the dialogue
Use strong verbs and specific details

Read 'The Art of Game Design' by Jesse Schell

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Gain insights into the principles and techniques of game design, which can complement the course's focus on dialogue and storytelling.

View The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses, Third... on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes
Identify sections relevant to dialogue and storytelling
Apply the concepts to your own game projects

Watch tutorials on cinematic storytelling

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Explore different techniques and best practices for crafting effective cinematic experiences in games.

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Find tutorials on YouTube or online courses
Take notes on key concepts
Apply what you learn in your own projects

Five other activities

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Join a study group or online forum for game writers

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Connect with other game writers to share ideas, get feedback on your work, and learn from their experiences.

Browse courses on Game Writing

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Find a study group or online forum
Participate in discussions and workshops
Share your work for feedback

Write barks and taunts for different character archetypes

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Develop your ability to create memorable and effective dialogue for different character archetypes, which is essential for creating immersive and engaging game experiences.

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Identify different character archetypes
Write barks and taunts that reflect their personalities
Experiment with different tones and styles

Design a scene using the techniques learned in the course

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Apply the concepts covered in the course to create a compelling and engaging scene in a game.

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Choose a specific game and genre
Develop the scene's narrative and gameplay elements
Use cutscenes and dialogue to advance the story and characters

Write a pitch for a game featuring compelling dialogue and storytelling

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Demonstrate your understanding of the course concepts by creating a pitch that showcases your ability to use dialogue and storytelling to create an engaging game experience.

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Choose a game genre and target audience
Develop a compelling narrative and character arc
Use dialogue to drive the story and advance the gameplay

Start developing a game prototype that focuses on dialogue and storytelling

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Put your knowledge into practice by starting to develop a game prototype that showcases your ability to use dialogue and storytelling as core gameplay elements.

Browse courses on Game Development

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Choose a game engine and development tools
Design the game's narrative and gameplay mechanics
Implement dialogue and cutscenes into the prototype

Career center

Learners who complete Writing Video Game Scenes and Dialogue will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Game Writer

Game Writers are responsible for creating the dialogue, narratives, and scripts that drive a video game's storytelling. This course can help build a foundation in the fundamentals of writing for video games, including crafting compelling scenes, writing engaging dialogue, and understanding the unique challenges of writing for an interactive medium.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Writer

Dialogue Writer

Dialogue Writers specialize in writing dialogue for video games, ensuring that the characters' words are natural, believable, and engaging. This course can provide a strong foundation in the principles of dialogue writing, including how to create distinctive voices for characters, write effective exposition, and handle branching dialogue.

See salaries and explore the career path for Dialogue Writer

Narrative Designer

Narrative Designers are responsible for shaping the overall story and narrative experience of a video game. This course can help build a foundation in the principles of storytelling, scene structure, and character development, which are essential skills for Narrative Designers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Narrative Designer

Video Game Designer

Video Game Designers are responsible for designing and developing the overall gameplay experience of a video game. While this course may not directly cover the technical aspects of game design, it can provide valuable insights into the narrative elements and storytelling techniques that can enhance a game's overall design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Video Game Designer

Screenwriter

Screenwriters are responsible for writing the scripts for movies, television shows, and other forms of media. While this course may not directly prepare you for a career in screenwriting, it can provide a strong foundation in the principles of storytelling and dialogue writing, which are essential skills for any screenwriter.

See salaries and explore the career path for Screenwriter

Copywriter

Copywriters are responsible for writing advertising and marketing materials, including website content, brochures, and social media posts. While this course may not directly prepare you for a career in copywriting, it can provide valuable insights into the principles of writing for a specific audience and crafting persuasive and engaging content.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers are responsible for writing instruction manuals, user guides, and other technical documentation. While this course may not directly prepare you for a career in technical writing, it can provide valuable insights into the principles of clear and concise writing, which are essential skills for any technical writer.

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Journalist

Journalists are responsible for writing news articles, feature stories, and other forms of non-fiction writing. While this course may not directly prepare you for a career in journalism, it can provide valuable insights into the principles of research, writing, and editing, which are essential skills for any journalist.

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Novelist

Novelists are responsible for writing novels, which are long-form works of fiction. While this course may not directly prepare you for a career as a novelist, it can provide valuable insights into the principles of storytelling, character development, and world-building, which are essential skills for any novelist.

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Speechwriter

Speechwriters are responsible for writing speeches and other forms of public address. While this course may not directly prepare you for a career as a speechwriter, it can provide valuable insights into the principles of persuasive writing and public speaking, which are essential skills for any speechwriter.

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Poet

Poets are responsible for writing poems, which are a form of literature that uses language in a creative and expressive way. While this course may not directly prepare you for a career as a poet, it can provide valuable insights into the principles of creative writing and language use, which are essential skills for any poet.

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Playwright

Playwrights are responsible for writing plays, which are a form of literature that is meant to be performed on stage. While this course may not directly prepare you for a career as a playwright, it can provide valuable insights into the principles of dramatic writing and character development, which are essential skills for any playwright.

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Teacher

Teachers are responsible for educating students in a variety of subjects. While this course may not directly prepare you for a career as a teacher, it can provide valuable insights into the principles of effective communication and instruction, which are essential skills for any teacher.

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Librarian

Librarians are responsible for managing and organizing libraries and providing assistance to library users. While this course may not directly prepare you for a career as a librarian, it can provide valuable insights into the principles of information management and research, which are essential skills for any librarian.

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Archivist

Archivists are responsible for preserving and managing historical documents and artifacts. While this course may not directly prepare you for a career as an archivist, it can provide valuable insights into the principles of historical research and preservation, which are essential skills for any archivist.

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