BECOME A GAME WRITER

Your adventure begins. Meet your instructor and fellow storytellers as we set the stage for the weeks ahead. You’ll get an overview of the course journey, your final project, and what it means to write worlds players never want to leave.

• Meet your instructor
• Course structure
• Assignments
• Final project overview

Every game begins with a spark, but it’s the writer who gives it a soul. Learn how narrative fits within design and development, the tools you’ll need to thrive, and how today’s industry defines the storyteller’s craft.

• Game writer role
• Storytelling & context in video games
• Key skills
• The industry & its impact on writers

Understand the life cycle of game creation and how a writer’s responsibilities evolve from prototype to post-release. Then, study how Minecraft Dungeons shaped its story through each development stage.

• Game development process
• Game writer role: Development process
• Writing for different audiences
• Case Study: Minecraft Dungeons

Assignment #1: Overview Description Challenge
Choose a popular game and write an overview description of the game without telling us the title of the game… in a single paragraph! Write a paragraph for each audience and tailor it for them specifically.

Learn how to design story arcs that serve gameplay, balance pacing, and give players real agency. Study narrative triumphs (and missteps) from Overkill’s The Walking Dead and Cyberpunk 2077 to see how design and story intertwine.

• Overall story structure
• Plotting and pacing the story
• The importance of player choice
• Storytelling tips and tricks
• In-class discussion & reflection
• Case study: Overkill’s The Walking Dead, Cyberpunk 2077

From heroes with messy morals to NPCs who feel alive, great characters drive great games. Build multidimensional personalities, explore motivation and voice, and learn to make every line of dialogue matter.

• What makes a character stand out
• Character backstory and history
• Developing character arcs
• Non-player characters
• Case Study: Overkill’s The Walking Dead, Dragon Age: Inquisition

Assignment #2: Character Motivation & Voice Development
Create your hero in a fantasy world on the brink of destruction. Define their goals, fears, and personality — then write a guide for how to write them authentically in any scene.

Dialogue is where the story meets soul. Learn to write speech that reveals character, advances plot, and fits seamlessly into gameplay. Then, team up to craft a multi-character scene that tests your ability to balance voice, pacing, and choice.

• Engaging and realistic dialogue
• Different character personalities and voices
• Writing as a team
• Workshop: Bringing Characters Together
  In groups, write a 2 to 3 page script where each of your characters are involved. 

Every genre tells its stories differently. From horror tension to fantasy wonder, learn how to adapt your writing style to fit the world and tone. Then, dive into the art of feedback — giving and receiving critique like a pro.

• Impact of genre
• Requirements and archetypes genres
• Tips on giving constructive feedback
• Interpreting feedback 

Welcome to the deep end of storytelling — lore. Explore how to build universes rich in history, logic, and wonder without overwhelming your players. Learn from Minecraft: Dungeons how canon, consistency, and “show, don’t tell” bring worlds to life.

• Minecraft: Dungeons “lore” & “canon”
• Consistency
• Depth & complexity
• Narrative hooks
• Show, don't tell

Assignment #5: Course Project
Design your own game world and narrative. Craft a story pitch complete with world overview, character bios, dialogue scene, and environmental storytelling.

From side quests to epic journeys, quests are the backbone of player experience. Master structure, motivation, and pacing while ensuring your story aligns with gameplay flow.

• Structure
• Motivation
• Conflict & challenge
• Pacing
• Case Study: Baldur’s Gate 3, Fallout 4

Assignment #3: Lore-True Quest for an Existing Game
Write a new quest for an existing IP (Fallout 4 or similar). Keep it authentic to the world’s lore while adding your creative twist.

Player agency is the new storytelling frontier. Explore how to make choices matter, how branching narratives reshape scope, and how tools like Arcweave help you visualise complex story webs.

• Player choice & agency
• Interactive storytelling
• Delivering the promise
• How scope increases in non-linear work
• Demo Tutorial: Arcweave

Assignment #4 (Optional): Branching Narrative in Arcweave
Create a short branching narrative in Arcweave. Go simpler than you think at first!

Side content is where worlds breathe. Learn to weave stories into exploration, environment, and collectibles so players feel the world even when the main quest pauses.

• Integrating side content
• Environmental storytelling
• Pacing & player engagement
• Case study: Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

A great writer doesn’t work in isolation. Learn the dynamics of collaboration, how to align vision with artists, level designers, and actors, and hear firsthand insights from a professional illustrator and game artist.

• Importance of collaboration
• Collaborating across teams
• Team communication

Level up your professional journey. Understand where the industry’s heading, what studios seek in narrative talent, and how to assemble a killer portfolio that tells your story — your way.

• Career trends of 2025
• Career possibilities
• Application portfolio
• Interview tips