Writing for video games

What is the course about?

You will learn about the various elements writers must consider when creating a narrative for a video game. This will range from getting to grips with interactive dialogue, exploring the ways environments and objects can tell stories and the role of player and non-player characters. By drawing on these skills you will create your own video game narrative design.

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone can be used if you don't have a computer but please note the experience may be less optimal.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

- Video game genres and narrative approaches
- How to tell stories through systems
- The player’s journey
- Environmental storytelling
- How characters drive story
- Interactive dialogue.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Demonstrate knowledge of what narrative design is, and how it fits within a wider design team.
- Tell a story using interactive techniques, from branching dialogue to environmental design.
- Plot out a story arc using player and non-player characters.
- Grasp the various audiences for video games and potential routes to publication.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This is an introductory course and is open to all.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Learners will be taught through a mix of group work, the sharing of multi-media resources containing insider information, class discussion, writing prompts and formal instruction from the tutor.

All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit.

For classes longer than one day, regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.

City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Writing materials.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

City Lit offer a range of creative writing courses at differing levels. Browse the writing section of our website to find the perfect course for you.

All students are invited to join us at Late Lines, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Between the Lines, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Twitter.