February 18, 2002
Freelance
Writing For The Gaming Industry - Fun And Games In The Year 2002
by
Melissa Brewer
Several
months ago, I worked on an interesting project for a client looking to
break into writing music for the video game industry. As the project progressed,
I found myself fascinated with the art of
interactive entertainment, and began to take "side notes" on
what it takes to write for the gaming industry. I made a host of wonderful
contacts and learned a great deal about how tough --- and rewarding --
it can be to become a part of the development of some of the most mainstream
and high-tech forms of entertainment today. (One out of every three American
households has a video game system and the fastest growing market for
video games is in Europe. ) There are also many opportunities for freelancers
to "break in" to the gaming industry through other publishing
venues.
Honing Your Skills: What It Takes to Make It
A common misconception about working within the video game industry is
that workers are usually young, immature, and inexperienced. While this
may have been true in the early days of Nintendo, the
technology, interactivity, and the average age of "gamers" (the
people that play the games) have matured at an incredible rate. The Playstation
2 has a host of games that are rated "M" for mature; the
target demographic for these games are men -- and women -- over the age
of 17. As gamers age, the complexity of both the plot and the theatric
elements tend to resemble short skits along the lines
of "Godfather," leaving the days of Super Mario Brothers long
lost in the dust.
One skill that is crucial (besides writing ability) to success in the
game industry is passion and familiarity. If you don't enjoy games or
are unfamiliar with the latest technology, then you'll find the gaming
world confusing and unfriendly. If you want to learn more about video
games, buy or rent a console and a few game magazines. Don't try to break
into this industry if you're simply looking for work; most video game
writers take the jobs , first and foremost, because they enjoy the work.
A beginner's pay is, at best, enough to pay some bills. The "real
money" comes with success and hard work , i.e. LATER!
Fantasy writers, science fiction writers, and scriptwriters all have an
advantage in the gaming industry. Writers play many different roles in
video game development, including:
*Plot, Setting, and Character Development:
Writers typically write the setting, character sketches, and general plot
based on the game developer's idea. Many science fiction and fantasy writers
have found success in video game development because of their ability
to create new and complex worlds. Every word in the development of games
should be chosen carefully and specifically. In-depth description is crucial
for game designers -- writers need to be able to describe every element
to allow the graphic designers be able to portray them accurately. In
addition, the game manual should be able to guide the reader through the
"How -to's" as well as the plot. The manual typically is created
by the initial development writer.
*Storyboards and Scripts:
Depending on the game type, most have "cinematic" sequences
that move the game along as the player progresses. A typical storyboard
includes a rough sketch of each
screen or level (done by the graphics department).?. (How will they look,
act, move, and sound?? What, if any, interaction will each character have
with other characters in the world?)? A brief
explanation of every action should appear on each panel of the storyboard.
If this all sounds like Greek to you, you can find out more about the
video game-making process at:
http://www.howstuffworks.com/3do2.htm
For how-to's on writing storyboards and scripts for games, an absolutely
essential resource is Paul Garrand`s Writing for Multimedia and the
Web, available at bookstores, and of course, Amazon.com.
Getting
Started, Getting Connected
Most game writers don't simply "jump into" the field without
industry experience. Many of them start out as fans that write ABOUT the
game industry. You'll want to network as much as possible with the game
development field -- you can do this by finding out about trade shows
and association meetings. "I cannot stress how important it is to
go to these and network! Bring samples of your work and collect as many
business cards as possible!" says Sarah Stocker, a full-time writer
for Stormfront Studios. Be sure to follow up with work samples and thank
you letters. She also notes that smaller publishing houses are more receptive
to newcomers; it is important to keep in touch. (http://www.Gamasutra.com
is a resource that lists trade events)
Many writers start "small" in their quest for work, usually
by writing articles and reviews for gaming-related publications. Most
game magazines hire freelancers for reviews of games and expect
thoughtful, knowledgeable reviews. Normally reviewers are asked to send
in a sample game review. You should treat video game magazines as you
would any other magazine; get a copy and study what they publish! (Did
I mention that video game reviewers normally get scores of FREE games
-- they make great presents!)
Video game reviews normally take up at least one page. (If the game is
good, if not, then reviewers don`t bother!) and include: Game Name, System,
Developer and Publisher, Release Date, Age Rating
(ESRB, RASC, SEGA)Overview, Plusses , Minuses, Graphics, Play Control,
Game Design, Satisfaction, Challenge qoutient, Sound, Originality, Replay
Value, Overall review score
You can find writer's guidelines through Writer's Digest or by performing
web searches for "Video Game Magazines". (Web searches are more
up-to-date and will yield better results!)
Many writers also break into video game writing through writing game guides
and RPG books. (Remember Dungeons and Dragons?) Burning Void has an excellent
page about writing for role playing game markets and many resources to
help writers find a niche in the RPG Industry.
What it's Like to Freelance Write for the RPG Industry http://www.burningvoid.com/users/heather/roleplaying/resources.html
Getting
the Job
Many small video game publishers and PC game publishers actually post
their writer's guidelines on their website and typically require a sample
script with character development. (Usually 8-15 pages long -- by the
time you get to this point, you'll want to be sure you're serious. A well-crafted
script reads like a story and the characters are easy to visualize.) While
small game publishers are more open to newcomers, they also tend to be
unable to pay up-front -- which means royalties, or a lack thereof, for
writers. Of course, the experience is valuable, and you'll have a game
to pass on to your
nieces and nephews with your name in the credits! You'll also have something
to put on your resume when you apply for a writing job at a "big"
game development company.
Competition is stiff, but with experience often comes success, and you
can have a lot of fun along the way if you decide to give it a try!
Here are a few places that post video game writing jobs regularly:
Help Wanted at Game Developers. net
http://www.gamedev.net/community/forums/forum.asp?forum_id=8
Game Jobs
http://www.gamejobs.com/classic/
Database of Game Development Companies (US & UK)
http://www.dperry.com/comp-dir.htm
Add yourself to the RPG Industry Directory
http://www.rpg.net/directory/index.phtml?Add=1
Good luck and good game -writing! Many thanks to Sarah Stocker of Stormfront
Studios and the PR Department at Sony of North America for their help
with this article.
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