game. It may be written in short segments. Scripts may be written in a TV/film or animation
script format, although game script formats haven’t been standardized, and different com-
panies have different formats. There is occasionally a need, as well, for a freelance writer to
provide background material, a history of the world, write character biographies, flesh out
character relationships, or write an introduction for a game.
Writing is also needed for character dialogue. What happens in the story? Lines are
needed for multiple outcomes. In stories where the player is the main character, dialogue is
extensive. Often the dialogue is in the form of questions. Dialogue may be written line by
line (“Catch me if you can!”; “I can see you’re a straight shooter!”; “There’s a bounty on
that booty!”). It’s important to nail the personality of the character who’s talking in the
game. This writing assignment may be tagged onto the larger writing job.
Different kinds of games require different kinds of writing. For preschoolers freelance
writers may script material for friendly guiding instructions, sometimes with humor. Train-
ing games might require multiple choices, often with a narrator setting up a situation.
The games based on prime-time TV shows sometimes hire the same WGA writers that
write episodes for television shows. In the Law & Ordergame the player must gather evidence,
hunt for clues, analyze lab results, check police files, and participate in stakeouts and inter-
rogations. Then, as in the television show, the player takes the role of the district attorney.
Storylines are complex. Players must be made to care about the characters. There’s an
emotional angle.These scripts may be more traditional with a preliminary treatment or outline
required. However, the storyline is interactive and must be written with that in mind. A single
script can run up to 700 pages. In general, games are coming out with more complex stories.
In role-playing games, like Final Fantasy, the writing takes place during the actual game
itself. In these a game developer has to create a story that has plenty of room for action
scenes, creating a world and an arena where players really want to play. The developers work
closely with the design team.
Like motion pictures and television, games have ratings. These include categories for
sexual content and violence in addition to maturity. There are many rating categories includ-
ing several for violence alone, distinguishing between cartoon violence, fantasy violence,
intense violence, and sexual violence. So consider your audience.
To get into the gaming business, familiarize yourself with a wide range of games by
playing them. What makes each genre different? Study what makes them fun, entertaining,
and successful.
There are many schools with gaming classes and a few with video game design or game
development programs, but most of these are geared for artists rather than writers. Gradu-
ates normally start in entry-level jobs. Some companies hire entry-level game testers, who
may not have an academic background in gaming.
One way to show gaming professionals what you can do is to modify an existing game,
using the tools that are sometimes provided by the publishers. A good mod shows a devel-
oper that you understand game development techniques and may help you get your first job
in the industry. Middleware—off-the-shelf software that game developers can use as a core
for their games—will make it increasingly possible for individuals to produce games with a
more polished look.
Learn to be a good storyteller. Learning and keeping up with the changing technical
aspects of gaming will help you get into game development.
There are many websites that can be useful, but there are two that are excep-
tional: http://www.gamedev.net and http://www.gamejobs.com. You may also want to check out
296 Animation Writing and Development