Job Title: Game Writer
AKA: Game Script Writers, Screenwriters, interactive conversation writers
What is it?
A game writer is not the person who designs the visual effects or levels or the appearance of the characters. Instead, the game writer writes the dialogue spoken by the characters in a video, computer, mobile or PSP game.
What does a Game Writer do?
Much like TV writers, game writers are usually provided an outline of the game design—the “worldâ€, the characters, the object of the game—then they are expected to write dialogue to be used in-game, in cutscenes, missions and quests and in marketing material.
Game writers may also be brought in very early in the game design and asked to create a narrative story—a sort of back-story and context–for the game, and to help create or humanize a character.
Game writers may also be asked to help with the creation of the game bible, a database or guidebook of the game’s world, the characters that may be encountered in this world, the language, the weapons, the rewards, the relationships that matter to the characters.
Finally, game writers may be asked to write manuals, marketing materials (packaging, trailers, etc) and/or to localize characters or parts of the game’s story so that it fits non-US or non-native markets.
So that’s the big picture. Game writers seem a lot like TV or movie script writers if you go with this. But, the truth is, game writers have to use a very different writing method than their counterparts. TV and movie writers write linearly–the story flows in a straight line from opening scene through finale, with a few surprise twists and turns, suspense and victories, in between.
Game writers, on the other hand, have to write conditionally–the story has to be branched so that there is appropriate dialogue no matter what the player decides to do. If the player chooses one path instead of another, conquers an enemy or loses, there must be dialogue, and the dialogue has to make sense based on the choices made by the player.
TV and movie script writers don’t have to concern themselves with decisions made by viewers or movie-goers. We show up and we watch their creations. We don’t get involved. Game writers have to work with game designers to make sure that they understand all of the player’ options, how the player might win or lose, how many levels, what characters, weapons and quests appear on each level. Then, the game writer has to come up with realistic dialogue for each of those possibilities.
In addition to working with game designers, game writers must be able to work well with software engineers, programmers, animators, producers, voice actors and everyone else involved in creating and marketing the game.
Who might like this job?
- Anybody who loves writing, first and foremost
- Anybody who loves video, computer, multi-player, mobile, PSP and other games (you should be familiar with all things gaming)
- Anyone who enjoys spending lots of time with engineering, programming, and animation types (very collaborative work)
What does this pay?
Game writers generally work on contract and get paid on a fee schedule. The is usually a flat fee paid upon delivery of agreed upon deliverables like a first draft, revisions, rewrites, narrative and final draft, but can also be daily or weekly rates if you are working on set or in studio as part of a team.
The fee amount will most likely be based on a scale determined by the Writers Guild of America, if you are a member (More on this in a minute). Otherwise, the game writer is free to negotiate with the producer or the company creating the game.
Fees can range from $0 in exchange for residual income once the game is released to $2000 to $5000 for a completed script to daily rates of $300-$500 and weekly rates of $1200-$10,000 (average based on WGA rates).
Some game writers also work on salary as part of a game design team. In this case, the writer won’t necessarily be exempted from WGA rates, but they will be paid a salary and benefits as any other employee. Currently, salaries for game writers are fairly low, especially compared with rates for TV and movies. This is due to the fact that this is a pretty new field for professional writers. Previously, game dialogue was written by any ol’ body–secretaries, cousins of the programmers, or the designers themselves. Game writers are earning as little as $30k and as much as $80k, depending on the size of the gaming company and the budget for the game.
So that takes care of contract and salaried writers, but there is still room for other arrangements. Residuals and equity are rare now, but not unheard of for an experienced writer with a few successful games under his/her belt. Some star writers earn over $200k per year,
Pay rates for game writers are likely to increase as the field grows, and as the WGA secures a foothold to negotiate on game writers’ behalf.
To break in you’ll need…
- Degrees are not the name of the game here; familiarity and genuine interest in gaming, and evidence of writing talent, will get you in the door
- To earn the real bucks you’ll need to put in your time by writing for multiple games as a way of building contacts and a portfolio
- It’s not a bad idea to do a couple of projects just for the experience and the portfolio fodder
- Play and master the games you would love to write for
- Partner with an up-and-coming game designer to create his/her masterpiece in exchange for PR, residuals, a leg up
So, who would you work for?
Game publishers mostly, but also independent game designers. Here’s a list of possible employers:
- Electronic Arts
- Nintendo
- Activision
- Sony Computer Entertainment
- Take-Two
- Microsoft
- THQ
- Ubisoft
- Konami
- Sega Sammy Holdings
- Vivendi Universal
- Rockstar Games
- LucasArts
To find current openings…
More information?
- Organizing and Formatting Game Dialogue by Raphael Chandler (Great article with lots of info on what a game script might look like)
- Writers Guild of Great Britain (This is a handbook for game writers on contracts, rates, etc, UK is more advanced in their representation of video game writers than WGA)
- How to Write Scripts for Computer and Board Games by Anne Hart
- Writing for the Gaming Industry by Melissa Brewer
- How 3DO Games Work (How to design a game from start to finish)
- Resources for Tabletop RPG Writers (Information for Role-Playing Game Writers)
Other Info Sources:
- Game Writing: Narrative Skills for Videogames (Charles River Media Game Development (Paperback))
What about this career doesn’t suck?
Fun, interesting, low stress works helped this job earn a 75% on our WorkYourWay Index. Game writers get to use their writing skills and skills to create and flesh out crazy new worlds where lots of gamers will lose themselves.
The major drawbacks to this career are the relatively low pay and the relatively small number of jobs. Both of these factors will likely improve as game technology becomes more and more sophisticated forcing game publishers to create more realistic characters and dialogue. Additionally, with the WGA trying to secure jurisdiction by educating game publishers and writers on the benefits of having a professional writer (with a nice pay rate, health benefits and a pension) on a project.
Still want more?
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