Game Writing : Narrative Skills for Videogames

by Bateman, Editor, Chris

• ISBN13: 9781584504900
• ISBN10: 1584504900
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-07-03
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

As computer games become more and more like Hollywood productions, the need for good story lines increases. Research shows that stories are highly valued by game players, so today's studios and developers need good writers. Creating narrative - a traditionally static form - for games is a major challenge. Games are at their heart dynamic, interactive systems, so they don't follow the guidelines and rules of film or T.V. writing. Game Writing: Narrative Skills for Videogames addresses these issues and is the first book written to demystify this emerging field. Through the insights and experiences of practicing game writers, the book captures a snapshot of the narrative skills employed in today's game industry. This unique collection of practical articles provides the foundations to the craft of game writing. The articles, written by member of the International Game Developer's (IDGA) Game Writer's SIG, detail aspects of the process from the basics of narrative and non-linear narrative to writing comedy for games and creating compelling characters. Throughout the articles there is a strong emphasis on the skills developers and publishers will expect a game writer to have. The book is suitable for both beginners and experienced writers, and is a detailed guide to all the techniques of game writing. This book is an essential read for anyone wishing to get into this exciting field, particularly for new game writers wanting to hone their skills, and film and T.V. scriptwriters who want to learn how to transfer their skills to the games industry.

Table of Contents

Introduction to Game Narrative

The Basics of Narrative

Game Writing

Non-Linear Game Narrative

Follow the Golden Path-Keeping the Player on Track

Creating Compelling Characters

Shadow Boxes and Pretty Pictures

Writing Comedy for Games

Writing for Licenses

The Needs of the Audience

Beware of the Localization

Adding Magi: The Voice Actors

Interchangeable Dialogue Audio

Dialogue Engines

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.