Professional Techniques for Video Game Writing

Chapter 1 ? Getting Writing Jobs in Video Games 1

Wendy Despain, NCSoft, Quantum Content, International Hobo

Chapter 2 ? Game Script Formatting 11

Wendy Despain, NCSoft, Quantum Content, International Hobo

Chapter 3 ? Documentation for Writers 21

John Feil, Paizo

Chapter 4 ? Writing Instructions, Helptext, Walkthroughs,

and Manuals: Text to Train the Player 37

John Feil, Paizo

Chapter 5 ? Writing Tutorials: Write "Start" to Start 53

Andrew S. Walsh, Guerrilla Games, Sony

Chapter 6 ? Practical Techniques for Productivity:

Getting the Work Done 89

Wendy Despain, NCSoft, Quantum Content, International Hobo

Chapter 7 ? Collaborating with Art, Design, and

Engineering 99

Anthony Burch, Santa Monica Studio

Chapter 8 ? Writing for AAA Games: Playing in the

Big Leagues 105

Marek Walton, Crystal Dynamics

Chapter 9 ? Writing for Indie Games 121

Wendy Despain, NCSoft, Quantum Content, International Hobo

Chapter 10 ? Game Writing Remotely: How to Pay the

Rent Working from Home 127

Tracy A. Seamster, Independent Contractor

Chapter 11 ? Game Writing On Staff 139

Samantha Wallschlaeger, Monolith Productions

Chapter 12 ? Keeping Localization in Mind: When Game

Narrative Travels Abroad 153

Ross Berger, Electronic Arts, Amazon

Chapter 13 ? Writers in the Recording Studio 165

Haris Orkin, Independent Contractor

Chapter 14 ? Writing for Existing Licenses 185

Heidi McDonald, Independent Contractor

Chapter 15 ? Writing for New IP 197

Rhianna Pratchett, Independent Contractor

Chapter 16 ? Script Doctoring 219

Richard Dansky, Central Clancy Writer, Ubisoft

Chapter 17 ? Writing Compelling Game Characters 235

William Harms, Narrative Director, Hangar 13

Chapter 18 ? Hiring Philosophies: We Can Do Better 243

Tom Abernathy, Studio Narrative Director, ArenaNet

Chapter 19 ? If It Works, Break It: Game Narrative Tropes

and Innovation 257

Maurice Suckling, Independent Contractor, Professor of

Practice, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

APPENDIX A ? CALL OF JUAREZ: GUNSLINGER SCRIPT

SAMPLE-SCREENPLAY FORMAT, 271

APPENDIX B ? BRATZ: FOREVER DIAMONDZ SCRIPT

SAMPLE-MODIFIED SCREENPLAY FORMAT, 289

APPENDIX C ? BARKS AND TASK SPREADSHEET, 291

APPENDIX D ? CASTING SIDES FOR CALL OF JUAREZ, 301