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Working as a Game Writer

Peter Boychuk, Kim Sparks, and Andrew Gray

What is it like to work as a video game writer? How do you even apply for game writing jobs? Is it true that you might have to take a writing test?

This capstone course puts everything you’ve learned in the previous courses together. Each assignment has helped you produce writing samples that are suitable for a portfolio. Now we’ll show what to do with it.

What is it like to work as a video game writer? How do you even apply for game writing jobs? Is it true that you might have to take a writing test?

We’ll explore what it takes to get a position as a video game writer or narrative designer, including how to get experience that will make you stand out. We look at what the hiring process is like, what sort of writing tests you may be asked to perform, and how to connect with people in the industry.

Verified learners who complete this course will receive feedback on their portfolio from the instructor. Verified learners will also access additional resources, including game industry interviews, assignments and discussion topics, connecting with a community of other writers and game enthusiasts.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

What hr departments are looking for
What to include in a portfolio and resume
Writing tests in the game industry and what to expect

Getting experience: making games without knowing how to code
Contracts, ndas and freelance work
Volunteering, networking and conferences

What hr departments are looking for
What to include in a portfolio and resume
Writing tests in the game industry and what to expect
Getting experience: making games without knowing how to code
Contracts, ndas and freelance work
Volunteering, networking and conferences

Syllabus

Module 1: Portfolios and Resumes

HR requirements

What to include in your portfolio

Writing a resume

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Takes a creative approach to game writing by focusing on items suitable for a portfolio

Covers what HR departments look for in game writing positions

Develops portfolio and resume writing skills, crucial for applying for game writing positions

Examines writing tests administered in the game industry

Teaches experience-building techniques in game writing for those without coding skills

Advises on industry-standard contracts, NDAs, and freelance work

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Reviews summary

Practical guide to game writing careers

According to students, "Working as a Game Writer" is a highly practical and essential course for those aspiring to enter the video game industry as writers or narrative designers. Learners consistently highlight its focused approach on career readiness, offering invaluable insights into HR requirements, portfolio and resume development, and navigating industry writing tests. Many appreciate the real-world advice and strategies for networking and finding job opportunities. While not a course on creative writing itself, it provides the critical steps to secure a role, making it distinctly valuable for its intended audience.

Benefits most from learners' active application and self-motivation.

"The course provides the tools, but you really have to put in the work yourself to apply them."

"It's not a passive learning experience; success depends on your initiative to build your portfolio and network."

"Best suited for self-starters who are ready to act on the advice provided."

Emphasizes job-seeking strategies over creative writing techniques.

"Do not expect this course to teach you how to write; it's about how to get hired."

"This course is purely focused on the business side of game writing, not the creative process."

"If you're looking for storytelling or narrative design craft, you'll need other resources; this is career-centric."

Information remains current, adapting to industry standards.

"The advice on networking and job sites felt current and directly applicable."

"Even recent reviews indicate the content is up-to-date with industry trends."

"The course has adapted well, ensuring its strategies for job seeking remain relevant."

Offers valuable perspectives from within the video game industry.

"The interviews with industry professionals were incredibly insightful."

"I gained a much better understanding of what writing tests are like and how to prepare for them."

"It demystified the hiring process and what HR departments are truly looking for."

Directly aids in creating a professional, industry-ready portfolio.

"The assignments gave me solid samples to include in my writing portfolio."

"I now have a much clearer idea of what to include in my resume and bio for game companies."

"This course was instrumental in helping me tailor my existing work into a compelling portfolio."

Provides essential, actionable advice for breaking into game writing.

"This course laid out exactly what I needed to do to get my foot in the door as a game writer."

"I found the guidance on industry expectations and how to stand out incredibly helpful."

"It provides a clear roadmap for anyone serious about pursuing a career in game writing."

"Learning about contracts, NDAs, and freelancing was very practical for real-world scenarios."

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 Working as a Game Writer with these activities:

Organize your course materials

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Keeping your course materials organized will help you stay on top of your studies and make it easier to review material later.

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Create a system for organizing your notes, assignments, and other materials.
Review your materials regularly.

Complete the "Game Writing Crash Course" tutorial series

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This tutorial series provides a practical introduction to the basics of game writing, covering topics such as dialogue, character development, and world-building.

Browse courses on Writing

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Watch the tutorial videos.
Complete the practice exercises.
Submit your work for feedback.

Complete the "Game Writing Prompts" workbook

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This workbook provides a series of writing prompts designed to help you practice your game writing skills and develop your creativity.

Browse courses on Writing

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Choose a prompt and write a short story.
Share your story with others and get feedback.

Five other activities

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Read and analyze "The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses"

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of game design and can help you understand the terminology and concepts you will encounter in this course.

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

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Read the book, taking notes on key concepts and ideas.
Write a summary of the book, outlining the main points of each chapter.
Identify and discuss examples of game design principles in your favorite games.

Write a game design document for a simple game

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Creating a game design document will help you practice the skills of planning and organizing your ideas for a game, which is essential for any game writer.

Browse courses on Game Design

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Brainstorm and define the concept of your game.
Outline the game's story, characters, and setting.
Design the game's mechanics, including gameplay, levels, and challenges.
Create a prototype of your game.

Volunteer for a game development project or organization

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Volunteering on a game development project can provide you with valuable hands-on experience and help you build your network.

Browse courses on Game Development

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Find a project or organization to volunteer with.
Contact the organization and express your interest.
Contribute your skills and time to the project.

Attend a local game development meetup or conference

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Attending industry events is a great way to meet people working in the game industry and learn about job opportunities.

Browse courses on Game Development

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Research and find a relevant event to attend.
Prepare an elevator pitch and practice networking skills.
Attend the event and introduce yourself to people.

Develop a portfolio of your game writing work

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Creating a portfolio showcasing your best game writing work is essential for demonstrating your skills and landing a job in the industry.

Browse courses on Portfolio

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Select your strongest writing samples.
Create a website or portfolio document to showcase your work.
Get feedback on your portfolio from industry professionals.

Career center

Learners who complete Working as a Game Writer will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Game Writer

This course is designed to help you develop the skills you need to become a successful game writer. You will learn how to write compelling stories, create memorable characters, and build immersive worlds that will captivate players.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Writer

Narrative Designer

A narrative designer is responsible for creating the story and characters for a video game. They work closely with the game designers to ensure that the story is integrated into the gameplay in a meaningful way. This course will help you develop the skills you need to become a successful narrative designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Narrative Designer

Game Designer

Video game writers and game designers work closely together to create the story, characters, and world of a game. This course will help you develop the skills you need to write compelling stories and characters that will bring your game to life.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer

Technical Writer

Technical writers create documentation and instructions for a variety of products, including video games. This course will help you develop the skills you need to become a successful technical writer, including how to write clearly and concisely, and how to use technical writing tools.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Freelance Writer

Freelance writers can work on a variety of projects, including video game writing. This course will help you develop the skills you need to become a successful freelance writer, including how to find clients, negotiate rates, and manage your time.

See salaries and explore the career path for Freelance Writer

Copywriter

Copywriters create marketing and advertising materials, including for video games. This course will help you develop the skills you need to become a successful copywriter, including how to write persuasive and engaging copy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Copywriter

Public relations manager

Public relations managers are responsible for managing the public image of a company or organization, including for video game companies. This course will help you develop the skills you need to become a successful public relations manager, including how to write press releases, manage media relations, and crisis management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public relations manager

Marketing Manager

Marketing managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns for a variety of products, including video games. This course will help you develop the skills you need to become a successful marketing manager, including how to develop a marketing strategy, create a budget, and track results.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Community Manager

Community managers are responsible for building and managing online communities for a variety of products, including video games. This course will help you develop the skills you need to become a successful community manager, including how to create and manage social media accounts, moderate forums, and organize events.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Manager

Event Planner

Event planners are responsible for planning and executing events, including for video game companies. This course will help you develop the skills you need to become a successful event planner, including how to choose a venue, negotiate contracts, and manage logistics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Event Planner

Sales Manager

Sales managers are responsible for leading and managing sales teams for a variety of products, including video games. This course will help you develop the skills you need to become a successful sales manager, including how to develop a sales strategy, recruit and train salespeople, and motivate your team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Software Engineer

Software engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing software applications, including video games. This course may be helpful if you are interested in a career as a software engineer in the video game industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Animator

Animators are responsible for creating the animations for video games. This course may be helpful if you are interested in a career as an animator in the video game industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animator

Game Tester

Game testers are responsible for testing video games to find bugs and ensure that they are working properly. This course may be helpful if you are interested in a career as a game tester in the video game industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Tester

Customer Service Representative

Customer service representatives are responsible for providing support to customers who have questions or problems with a product or service, including video games. This course may be helpful if you are interested in a career as a customer service representative in the video game industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Service Representative

Reading list

We've selected seven 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 Working as a Game Writer.