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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.
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.
Thomas McMullan lives and works in London. He is the author of Groundwater (Bloomsbury, 2025) and The Last Good Man (Bloomsbury, 2020), which won the 2021 Betty Trask Prize. His short fiction has been published in Ploughshares, The Dublin Review, Granta, 3:AM Magazine, Lighthouse and Best British Short Stories, and his journalism has appeared in The Guardian, The Times Literary Supplement, frieze, ArtReview and BBC News. His practice also encompasses scripts, both for stage and film, and narrative design for video games. For the latter, he was the lead writer on Rollerdrome (Roll7, 2022), which won the 2023 BAFTA for Best British Game.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/writing-for-video-games155447Writing for video gameshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/w/r/writing_for_video_games-square.jpg159159GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Writing/Introductory and general creative writing courses/Courses/vm/Writing Courses/Courses/vm/Writing Courses/Creative Writing/Courses/Short Courses/Courses/Short Courses/History, culture & writing/Courses/Weird and wonderful City Lit/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Writing/Genre writing courses/Courses/Writing/Courses/Writing/Introductory and general creative writing courses2285158920182021134111341717451351713581135961228511771205165320181341113581Learn about the fundamentals of writing for video games, from interactive dialogue to environmental storytelling. <div data-content-type="html" data-appearance="default" data-element="main">Guided by an industry expert, students will learn about the various elements writers must consider when creating a saleable narrative for the video game genre. Students will have the opportunity to create their own video game character and explore the facets of the hero's journey.</div>001448545Writing for video games159159https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/w/r/writing_for_video_games-square_1.jpgInStockEveningThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2025-11-06T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceNov 2025WritingHW700159159Writing for video games15980159Thomas McMullanwriting-for-video-games/hw700-2526Learn about the fundamentals of writing for video games, from interactive dialogue to environmental storytelling.0000-Available|2025-11-06 00:00:00You 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.Learn about the fundamentals of writing for video games, from interactive dialogue to environmental storytelling.- Video game genres and narrative approaches<br />
- How to tell stories through systems<br />
- The player’s journey<br />
- Environmental storytelling<br />
- How characters drive story<br />
- Interactive dialogue.- Demonstrate knowledge of what narrative design is, and how it fits within a wider design team.<br />
- Tell a story using interactive techniques, from branching dialogue to environmental design.<br />
- Plot out a story arc using player and non-player characters.<br />
- Grasp the various audiences for video games and potential routes to publication.This is an introductory course and is open to all.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. <br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
For classes longer than one day, regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.<br />
<br />
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 <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Writing materials.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.<br />
<br />
All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines" target="_blank">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines" target="_blank">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href=" https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.virtual2694018Writing for video games159159https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/w/r/writing_for_video_games-square_10.jpgInStockEveningTueOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-06-02T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceJun 2026WritingHW441159159Writing for video games15980159Thomas McMullanwriting-for-video-games/hw441-2526Learn about the fundamentals of writing for video games, from interactive dialogue to environmental storytelling.0000-Available|2026-06-02 00:00:00You 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.Learn about the fundamentals of writing for video games, from interactive dialogue to environmental storytelling.- Video game genres and narrative approaches<br/>- How to tell stories through systems<br/>- The player’s journey<br/>- Environmental storytelling<br/>- How characters drive story<br/>- Interactive dialogue.- Demonstrate knowledge of what narrative design is, and how it fits within a wider design team.<br/>- Tell a story using interactive techniques, from branching dialogue to environmental design.<br/>- Plot out a story arc using player and non-player characters.<br/>- Grasp the various audiences for video games and potential routes to publication.This is an introductory course and is open to all.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. <br />
<br />
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 <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Writing materials.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.<br/><br/>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting">Twitter</a>.virtual15915980HW700,HW441NONEThu,Tue06/11/25 - 11/12/2517:30 - 19:3017:3019:306 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksWeekdayKSKeeley Street,OnlineThomas McMullanBeginners, Some experienceAvailable courses2025-11-06T00:00:00+00:00,2026-06-02T00:00:00+00:00EveningNov 2025,Jun 2026Writing159159Writing for video gameswriting-for-video-games/hw700-2526,writing-for-video-games/hw441-2526Learn about the fundamentals of writing for video games, from interactive dialogue to environmental storytelling.0000-Available|2025-11-06 00:00:00You 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.Learn about the fundamentals of writing for video games, from interactive dialogue to environmental storytelling.- Video game genres and narrative approaches<br />
- How to tell stories through systems<br />
- The player’s journey<br />
- Environmental storytelling<br />
- How characters drive story<br />
- Interactive dialogue.,- Video game genres and narrative approaches<br/>- How to tell stories through systems<br/>- The player’s journey<br/>- Environmental storytelling<br/>- How characters drive story<br/>- Interactive dialogue.- Demonstrate knowledge of what narrative design is, and how it fits within a wider design team.<br />
- Tell a story using interactive techniques, from branching dialogue to environmental design.<br />
- Plot out a story arc using player and non-player characters.<br />
- Grasp the various audiences for video games and potential routes to publication.,- Demonstrate knowledge of what narrative design is, and how it fits within a wider design team.<br/>- Tell a story using interactive techniques, from branching dialogue to environmental design.<br/>- Plot out a story arc using player and non-player characters.<br/>- Grasp the various audiences for video games and potential routes to publication.This is an introductory course and is open to all.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. <br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
For classes longer than one day, regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.<br />
<br />
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 <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.,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. <br />
<br />
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 <a href=" https://www.citylit.ac.uk/expectations-for-participating-in-writing-courses" target="_blank">expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit</a>.Writing materials.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.<br />
<br />
All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines" target="_blank">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines" target="_blank">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href=" https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.,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.<br/><br/>All students are invited to join us at <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latelines">Late Lines</a>, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/betweenthelines">Between the Lines</a>, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/citylitcreativewriting">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/citylitwriting">Twitter</a>.configurable
15891205Introductory and general creative writing courseshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/history-culture-and-writing/writing/introductory-and-general-creative-writing-courses1/2/285/1177/1205/1589/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Writing/Introductory and general creative writing courses
