Resources for Writers Working in Interactive Narrative
When I started in the industry there was almost nothing available. Today there’s a huge number of places to look to for resources and many of them are free. This is not a definitive list, it’s here to help you find some starting places and to answer some of the FAQs that come my way. I hope it’s helpful, please let me know what you think. PS It will be banging the drum for the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain. PPS I hope to update and expand this when I get chance.
Pay and Contracts
You’ll be amazed to know that ‘What should I get paid?’ is the main question I get alongside ‘How do I get a job’. *
· WGGB Writing for Videogames guidelines This free resource is available for members and non-members. It has sets of potential rates and is crammed with advice compiled from sources across the world. Consider joining the TUC affiliated Union that represents videogame writers and hosts events alongside offering advice, a weekly bulletin and help.
*You won’t be amazed.
Events
‘How do I make connections, network, get advice and hear about opportunities?’, this ranks high in the most often asked questions. If you can make it then make it to events (an article on how to make the best of these will follow the release of this list).
The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain
The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain organises various events throughout the year. From online panels to in person networking events. Currently, I tend to post WGGB events on Bluesky Andy Walsh (@englishscribe.bsky.social) - Bluesky Twitter (X) Andrew Walsh (@englishscribe) / X (twitter.com), or Mastodon Andrew Walsh (@englishscribe@mastodon.social). They can also be found on The Writers' Guild (@TheWritersGuild) / X (twitter.com)
Other UK Events
· AdventureX – focused on Indie adventure games, but often has a large presence from narrative people from across the industry and networking opportunities.
· Develop:Brighton brings together the whole game dev community | Develop Conference – not too much narrative presence but can be useful for networking around the edges.
· EGX London – has events around the country, good for finding out about the industry, can have narrative talks and sometimes networking opportunities.
Non-UK Events
· www.gdconf.com – love it or loathe it, GDC is still the biggest conference in the world for those working in the videogames industry. It has a narrative track and the potential for a lot of networking opportunities. It is also huge, expensive, overwhelming and sapping in terms of energy and time. It could lead to a lot of great connections, but not one event is magic, you must plan your event well ahead to ensure you get your money’s worth.
· www.ecgconf.com – less well known than GDC, this conference has the feel of the GDC Narrative track before it moved to San Francisco and got so pricey. Whilst it is focused on students there’s a growing number of industry professionals and a great chance to meet people on the narrative track.
LudoNarraCon – online event
· Narrascope – online event
Books
Interactive Writing
There’s a wealth of books out here, so this is not definitive it is aimed at providing a list of the books that will be referenced when people recommend books.
· The Game Narrative Toolbox (routledgetextbooks.com)
· The Advanced Game Narrative Toolbox - 1st Edition - Tobias Heussner - (routledge.com)
· Procedural Storytelling in Game Design - 1st Edition - Tanya X. Short (routledge.com)
· The Game Writing Guide: Get Your Dream Job and Keep It - 1st Edition - (routledge.com)
Screenwriting
The following books are referenced regularly and contain some great storytelling advice if taken with the following warnings. 1) They aren’t focused on interactive writing, b) No book is a magic formula, they are information that can help you build a toolkit and nothing more. That said you should be looking to learn about the art of writing in general and a number of interactive writing books seem to assume you can writer and focus on adapting existing skills to an interactive environment. Books on writing for other media can still be great resources for writing skills.
· Story by Robert McKee | Waterstones
· Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder | Waterstones
Software
Learn how to use Word, Excel, Outlook, Google Docs (or equivalents), plus get used to teams, Google Meet etc. You will be using day-to-day software like this A LOT.
More specialised software (you do not have to invest in these unless you’re using that type of software a lot, save your resources) -
· Twine
· Ink (see also Ink: The Official Guide – inklestudios)
· Articy:Draft 3
· Scrivener
· Final Draft 12 Download | Final Draft Online Store
Videos
When going to YouTube, remember to hit the Videos tab, not just rely on the front page.
Writers’ Guild of Great Britain YouTube
The wonderful free resource that is Writers' Guild of Great Britain - YouTube. Advice, talks that covers general writing advice alongside information on videogames, theatre, television, film, audio and more. The one drawback is that it can a little work to find exactly what you’re after. So, here’s a list of the videogames offerings –
Adventure X YouTube
An excellent event in person, Adventure X also hosts recordings on YouTube AdventureX - YouTube
· Jon Ingold’s superb talk on dialogue - AdvX 2018 - Jon Ingold - Sparkling Dialogue: A Masterclass - YouTube
· One by me - AdvX 2022 - Andy Walsh - A Pocket Guide to Godhood: On Worldbuilding AdvX 2022 - Andy Walsh - A Pocket Guide to Godhood: On Worldbuilding - YouTube
Other Resources
I’m not the first person to put together sets of resources and information, so here are links to other resources that are out there.
· Emily Short - Emily Short's Interactive Storytelling – Narrative in games and new media (emshort.blog)
· Greg Buchanan How To Become a Game Writer — Greg Buchanan
· Raymond Vermeulen Game Writing/Narrative Design Resources - Google Docs
· Jan David Hassel JD's GameJobs List - Google Docs
CVs and Portfolios
· The WGGB’s panel Interactive writing portfolios – creating interactive portfolios - YouTube
· Raymond Vermeulen Game Writing/Narrative Design Resources - Google Docs
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Jobs and Opportunities
Currently, I tend to post these on Bluesky Andy Walsh (@englishscribe.bsky.social) - Bluesky Twitter (X) Andrew Walsh (@englishscribe) / X (twitter.com), Mastodon INSERT HERE