Description
Taylor and Francis Professional Techniques For Video Game Writing 2020 Edition by Wendy Despain
This second edition of Professional Techniques for Video Game Writing is updated with new chapters and new authors, but it's still a no-nonsense guide to the professional craft of writing for video games. Not only does the text cover story and narrative elements, but it also addresses dialogue, documentation, and strategy guides. Seasoned video game writers each address a different topic, including the best way to break into the video game industry, how to be an efficient part of a team, and the principles of narrative design. The book also offers script samples, technical writing advice, effective writing tips, and suggestions for how to innovate in game narrative.Key FeaturesComprehensive enough for veterans and accessible enough for novicesGoes into detail about how to write tutorials, script doctoring, and writing for AAA gamesDelivers invaluable experiences directly from writers in the games industry Full of practical advice from industry pros on how to get a job, and then how to get the job doneAuthor BioWendy Despain has more than two decades of experience spearheading digital media projects. She has worked with teams around the world as a writer, narrative designer, producer, and consultant on interactive experiences ranging from video games to augmented reality. She's worked with EA, Disney, Ubisoft, Cartoon Network, PBS, Marvel, and Wargaming. Currently, she's a Production Director at ArenaNet, makers of the Guild Wars franchise.Her books include:Writing For Videogame Genres: From FPS to RPGTalking to Artists/Talking to Programmers100 Principles of Game Design Chapter 1 Getting Writing Jobs in Video Games 1Wendy Despain, NCSoft, Quantum Content, International HoboChapter 2 Game Script Formatting 11Wendy Despain, NCSoft, Quantum Content, International HoboChapter 3 Documentation for Writers 21John Feil, PaizoChapter 4 Writing Instructions, Helptext, Walkthroughs,and Manuals: Text to Train the Player 37John Feil, PaizoChapter 5 Writing Tutorials: Write "Start" to Start 53Andrew S. Walsh, Guerrilla Games, SonyChapter 6 Practical Techniques for Productivity:Getting the Work Done 89Wendy Despain, NCSoft, Quantum Content, International HoboChapter 7 Collaborating with Art, Design, andEngineering 99Anthony Burch, Santa Monica StudioChapter 8 Writing for AAA Games: Playing in theBig Leagues 105Marek Walton, Crystal DynamicsChapter 9 Writing for Indie Games 121Wendy Despain, NCSoft, Quantum Content, International HoboChapter 10 Game Writing Remotely: How to Pay theRent Working from Home 127Tracy A. Seamster, Independent ContractorChapter 11 Game Writing On Staff 139Samantha Wallschlaeger, Monolith ProductionsChapter 12 Keeping Localization in Mind: When GameNarrative Travels Abroad 153Ross Berger, Electronic Arts, AmazonChapter 13 Writers in the Recording Studio 165Haris Orkin, Independent ContractorChapter 14 Writing for Existing Licenses 185Heidi McDonald, Independent ContractorChapter 15 Writing for New IP 197Rhianna Pratchett, Independent ContractorChapter 16 Script Doctoring 219Richard Dansky, Central Clancy Writer, UbisoftChapter 17 Writing Compelling Game Characters 235William Harms, Narrative Director, Hangar 13Chapter 18 Hiring Philosophies: We Can Do Better 243Tom Abernathy, Studio Narrative Director, ArenaNetChapter 19 If It Works, Break It: Game Narrative Tropesand Innovation 257Maurice Suckling, Independent Contractor, Professor ofPractice, Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteAPPENDIX A CALL OF JUAREZ: GUNSLINGER SCRIPTSAMPLE-SCREENPLAY FORMAT, 271APPENDIX B BRATZ: FOREVER DIAMONDZ SCRIPTSAMPLE-MODIFIED SCREENPLAY FORMAT, 289APPENDIX C BARKS AND TASK SPREADSHEET, 291APPENDIX D CASTING SIDES FOR CALL OF JUAREZ, 301