The 5 Golden Rules Of Video Game Writing

In the electrifying universe of video games, a well-told tale is the ultimate power-up, turning button mashing into epic adventures and digital realms into sagas of legend. Behind the scenes, scriptwriters are the unsung heroes, spinning tales that catapult players into battles, mysteries, and romances. These narrative ninjas infuse soul into pixels, making each game an odyssey that enchants and lingers. Here’s the good news: You too can become one of them. We'll tell you what unique video game writing comes down to, and how you can gain an impressive foothold in the industry.

Let's enter the fascinating world of video game writing. Discover five magical writing strategies with us that will turn your stories into enchanting adventures and take gamers' hearts by storm.

1. Develop Rich, Multidimensional Characters

Every memorable video game is driven by characters that players love, hate, or love to hate. Start by giving your characters depth with backstories, motivations, and complex personalities. Think beyond the hero and the villain; even NPCs (non-player characters) should have layers that make the world feel real and dynamic. Remember, players often see themselves in these characters, so make them relatable, flawed, and heroic in their own right.

Here’s what matters:

Backstory & Motivations: Create a compelling backstory for each character that explains their motivations and goals. Intersperse hints of the characters' backstories throughout the game, be it through dialog, diary entries or environmental objects. This helps players to better identify with the characters and understand their motivations.

In The Witcher 3, for istance, Geralt's past and his relationship with characters such as Yennefer and Ciri are revealed through dialog, cutscenes and optional quests, giving the player a deeper understanding of his motivations and decisions.

Strengths & Weaknesses: Give your characters both strengths and weaknesses. This makes them more realistic and tangible. For example, a character could be exceptionally clever but suffer from social anxiety.

In The Witcher 3, Geralt is a skilled fighter and an experienced sorcerer capable of defeating even the most dangerous monsters. Geralt's weakness often lies in his interpersonal relationships, especially when it comes to his complicated romance with Yennefer or Triss.

Internal Conflicts: Integrate internal conflicts into the characters that influence their decisions and actions. Perhaps a character has a moral dilemma about whether to betray their friend to ensure their own safety. In Red Dead Redemption 2, Arthur Morgan often struggles with his conscience, especially when it comes to the moral decisions he must make on behalf of the Van der Linde gang.

Development Over Time: Let your characters develop over the course of the game. This can be through experiences they have or through their relationships with other characters. For example, a character might start out selfish, but through working with others learns to be more altruistic.

Commander Shepard in the Mass Effect trilogy evolves greatly depending on the player's choices. She can go from a loyal soldier to a doubter or even a traitor, depending on the player's moral choices.

Relationships With Other Characters: Make the relationships between the characters complex and nuanced. Conflict, attachment, love and hate can shape the dynamics between characters and influence their actions. In Horizon Zero Dawn, Aloy builds relationships with various characters, including Sylens, a mysterious ally, and various tribe members who can support or reject her.

Dialogs & Actions: Make sure the characters' dialog and actions fit their personality and develop them further. Each character should have their own recognizable speaking style and their actions should be consistent with their motivations.

2. Create Immersive Worlds & Settings

The setting of your game is more than just a backdrop; it's a character in its own right. Craft worlds that breathe life into the story, with rich lore, stunning landscapes, and intricate details that players can lose themselves in. Whether it's a dystopian future, a fantasy kingdom, or an alien planet, each element of the world should serve the narrative and entice exploration. Think about how the environment interacts with the story and characters, creating a cohesive and immersive experience.

Credible History & Lore: Create mythologies, historical events, conflicts and legends that help players immerse themselves in the world. A good example of this is the extensive lore of The Elder Scrolls series, which is presented with a wealth of books, dialogs and hidden stories in the game world.

Detailed Landscapes: Add small nuances such as plants, animals, architectural features and atmospheric effects to create a vibrant and immersive world. For example, the city of Novigrad in The Witcher 3 is filled with bustling streets, markets, taverns and various characters, all of which help to create a believable world.

Populate your game world with a variety of characters and cultures to show the diversity and vibrancy of the world. Each region or city could have its own traditions, customs and dialects. An example of this is the world of Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, which is filled with different Greek city-states, cultures and characters.

Consistent World Rules: Define clear rules and laws for your game world and stick to them consistently. The game mechanics, physics, social structure and magic (if any) should all be consistent and convey a sense of coherence. For example, the world of Dark Souls is known for its strict and unforgiving game mechanics, which harmonize perfectly with the dark and mysterious world.

Interactive Elements: Add interactive elements that make the world feel alive and dynamic. Players should feel that their actions can have an impact on the environment. For example, day and night cycles, weather and seasons change in games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and influence the game world and mechanics.

Encourage exploration and discovery in your game world by placing hidden locations, secrets and rewards for curious players. The open world of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is full of hidden treasures, shrines and secrets that encourage players to explore every corner of the world.

3. Write Dialogues That Resonate With Players

Dialogue is the heartbeat of video game storytelling. It's how characters relate to each other and to the player. Write dialogues that are sharp, witty, or profound when they need to be. Each line should reveal something about the character or the plot, pushing the story forward. Remember, players will often hear lines repeatedly, so make them impactful, memorable, and, when appropriate, interactive.

You should pay particular attention to these points:

Character Individuality: Each character should have their own recognizable speaking style and personality. This keeps the dialog interesting and authentic, even if it is repeated. Take GLaDOS from Portal for example, whose sarcastic and cynical comments leave a strong impression and enrich the gaming experience.

Variety & Diversity: Write a variety of dialog options and variations to avoid repetition. Players should feel that their choices have an impact on the dialog and story progression. For example, the dialog system in Fallout: New Vegas allows players to explore different conversation paths and influence the story in different ways.

Dynamic Reactions: Integrate dynamic reactions of the characters to the player's actions and decisions into the dialogs. This makes the dialog more lively and ensures that it doesn't feel boring. Notice the interaction with NPCs in The Witcher 3, where the dialog options can vary depending on the player's previous actions and decisions.

Humor & Emotion: Incorporate humor and emotion into dialogue to entertain players and create an emotional connection. Humorous dialogue can help lighten the mood and make players laugh, while emotional dialogue can make players empathize and root for the characters.

4. Pace The Story to Complement Gameplay

The best game narratives are those that seamlessly integrate with gameplay. Pacing is key; too fast, and the player feels rushed; too slow, and they get bored. Balance narrative exposition with action, allowing players to digest the story while engaging in gameplay. Use milestones, quests, and cutscenes strategically to maintain a rhythm that keeps players hooked and moving forward.

These tips have proven their worth:

Tension & Release Cycles: Use tension and release cycles to vary the pace of gameplay. Build in slow, quiet moments to build tension and then follow them with faster, intense moments to release the tension. This variety keeps players engaged and provides a balanced gameplay experience.

Adapt To Player Actions: Match the pace of the action to player actions and decisions. If players are moving slowly through a section or reading dialog at their leisure, the action should be patient. However, if they are involved in a fight or have to make a quick decision, the pace of the action should increase accordingly.

Introduce Cutscenes: Use cutscenes to present important plot moments. These sequences can be used to present dramatic revelations, character developments or key moments in the story while gameplay is temporarily paused.

5. Incorporate Player Choices & Branching Narratives

One of the unique aspects of video game storytelling is interactivity. Embrace it by offering players choices that impact the story. Branching narratives can lead to different endings, character developments, or world changes, making each playthrough unique. This not only increases replayability but also gives players a sense of agency and investment in the story. While branching narratives can be complex to write, the payoff in player engagement is often worth the effort.

You should consider the following aspects:

Multiple-choice Decisions: Offer players choices that can influence the course of the plot. These decisions could be of a moral nature, such as choosing between saving or sacrificing a character, or of a strategic nature, such as choosing between different approaches to a mission.

Consequences & Impact: Show players the direct and indirect effects of their decisions on the game world and characters. This can affect the course of the plot, relationships with other characters or the ending of the game.

Review & Reflection: Offer players opportunities to reflect on their decisions and their impact on the story. This can be done through dialog with other characters, diary entries or flashbacks. An example of this is Detroit: Become Human, which allows players to see and reflect on the consequences of their decisions by showing statistics about other players' decisions at the end of each chapter.

Replayability: Promote the replayability of the game by offering different decision paths and endings. Players should feel the need to replay the game to make different decisions and explore alternative storylines.

Crafting interactive narratives is like designing a maze with multiple exits. It's complex and requires meticulous planning. To navigate this, start with a clear outline of the main storyline and branches. Use flowcharts to visualize how different paths intersect. Keep track of all narrative elements to ensure consistency and continuity.

Now that you know what good video game writing is about, we reveal how you can break into the industry as an aspiring scriptwriter. Ready to realize your dream of a career as a video game scriptwriter? Then let's get started!

1. Build a Portfolio

Begin by crafting a diverse portfolio showcasing your best scriptwriting and narrative design work. Include samples that demonstrate your ability to create compelling characters, immersive worlds, and engaging stories. Consider working on indie projects or creating speculative scripts for existing games to display your skills. Your portfolio is your gateway to opportunities.

2. Networking

Immerse yourself in the gaming community. Attend industry conferences, workshops, and gaming events to meet developers, designers, and fellow writers. Join online forums, social media groups, and platforms where gaming professionals congregate. Networking is vital; it's not just about finding opportunities, but also about building relationships that can lead to collaborations and mentorships.

3. Stay Updated

Keep your finger on the pulse of the latest trends in video games and storytelling. Play a wide variety of games, read industry blogs, and follow influential game developers and writers. Understanding current trends, technologies, and player preferences will help you write relevant and resonant content. Being well-informed will also make you a valuable collaborator in any creative team.

4. Understand The Video Games Business

Familiarize yourself with the business side of video games, including contracts, copyright, and intellectual property rights. Knowing how the industry operates will help you navigate it more effectively and protect your work. Consider taking courses or workshops on video game law or seeking advice from professionals in the field. As a writer, understanding your rights and the commercial aspects of game development is crucial for a successful and sustainable career.

Compelling video game stories are in high demand and play a crucial role in the success of a video game. Well-written stories appeal to players emotionally, connect them with the characters and enrich the overall gaming experience. With our tips & strategies, you'll be well on your way to bringing your own original and compelling video game stories to life. So grab your creative sword and shield, and start crafting narratives that players will be crazy about for years to come.