Game Writing Handbook

by Rafael Chandler

This practical guide is ideal for anyone interested in learning how to write scripts and stories for video games, particularly movie writers and fiction authors. It is also intended to instruct current video game writers and designers about how to be more effective in collaborating with the developers, programmers, level designers, designers, musicians, concept artists, producers, and directors. It details how important writing a good story is, and provides practical information about designing storylines, creating characters, and writing dialogue. The book offers field-tested techniques for organizing data, formatting documents, and presenting information. It outlines a framework for guiding the creative process, and features spreadsheets, checklists, document templates, and dozens of examples of screenplays. In addition, it teaches the nuts-and-bolts facts about the process of writing a game, along with details on the day-to-day work of a writer, from concept to ship date. Each chapter is accompanied by from-the-trenches interviews with experienced game writers and designers.

Genres: Games, Game Design, Writing

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 5, 2007

About the author

Rafael Chandler writes novels (The Astounding Antagonists, Hexcommunicated), video games (SOCOM 4, Rainbow Six: Lockdown), and tabletop role-playing games (ViewScream, Pandemonio). He's a metalhead, kaijuphile, gamer, and gorehound.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about writing for videogames. It's over ten years old now, and it does feel a bit dated. Over half the book focused on writing for voice actors, casting voice actors, and working with scripters and scripting--basically things that only happen on a pretty big game project. But I guess most games would have to have a pretty big budget to hire a dedicated writer! I learned a lot about documentation and all the behind-the-scenes tasks that go into AAA games. I was a lot more interested in player choices/variables and conversation trees, which this handbook did not cover in very much detail at all, disappointingly. I liked the developer interviews and how practical the advice in this book seemed... it just didn't really apply to the games writing I'm doing right now.

[gramakri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book imparts the know-how of game writing for today’s competitive video game market. It provides hands-on techniques for designing storyline, creating characters, writing dialogue, and testing story content.
A well-written book which has resulted in my developing a better appreciation for the Game Design and Writing !
For chapter-wise summary of the contents of this book visit
http://www.rgopinath.com/2013/01/13/b...

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative. Great examples. It's given me a lot to think about in my current and planned projects.