Writing for Video Games: Breaking into the Industry

Course Description

"Writing for Video Games: Breaking into the Industry" is an insightful and practical capstone course offered by UBCx, designed to equip aspiring video game writers and narrative designers with the essential knowledge and skills needed to launch a successful career in the gaming industry. This comprehensive course serves as the culmination of a series of courses on video game writing, providing students with a unique opportunity to refine their portfolios and gain invaluable insights into the professional world of game development.

What students will learn

  • Portfolio and resume preparation tailored for the video game industry
  • Understanding HR requirements and expectations in game companies
  • Navigating the hiring process, including interviews and writing tests
  • Gaining practical game writing experience without coding knowledge
  • Managing contracts, NDAs, and freelance work in the gaming sector
  • Effective networking strategies and industry connections
  • Insights into different career paths for game writers and narrative designers

Pre-requisites

While there are no specific prerequisites for this course, having a basic understanding of creative writing and storytelling techniques would be beneficial. Familiarity with video games and the gaming industry is also helpful but not mandatory.

Course Coverage

  • Portfolio development and curation for game writing positions
  • Resume writing and crafting compelling professional bios
  • Preparing for and excelling in game industry interviews
  • Understanding and tackling writing tests in the hiring process
  • Strategies for gaining valuable game writing experience
  • Navigating legal aspects of game writing jobs (contracts, NDAs)
  • Freelancing opportunities in game writing
  • Networking techniques and attending industry conferences
  • Exploring various paths to game writing careers

Target Audience

This course is ideal for aspiring video game writers, narrative designers, and creative professionals looking to transition into the gaming industry. It's also valuable for game design students, indie game developers, and anyone passionate about storytelling in interactive media who wants to pursue a career in video game writing.

Real-world Application

The skills acquired in this course are directly applicable to the competitive world of video game development. Learners will be equipped to:

  • Create compelling portfolios that showcase their game writing abilities
  • Confidently approach job applications and interviews in the gaming industry
  • Navigate writing tests and other industry-specific hiring practices
  • Build a network of professional connections within the game industry
  • Pursue freelance opportunities in game writing and narrative design
  • Contribute effectively to game development teams as writers or narrative designers
  • Understand the business aspects of game writing, including contracts and NDAs

Syllabus

Module 1: Portfolios and Resumes
  • HR requirements
  • What to include in your portfolio
  • Writing a resume
  • Bios and why we need them
Module 2: Getting the Job
  • Interviews
  • Different paths to game writing jobs
  • Writing tests
Module 3: Getting game writing experience
  • Any experience is good experience
  • Make a game
  • Just keep writing
Module 4: You've got the job, now what?
  • Paperwork
  • NDAs
  • Freelancing
Module 5: Where to find game writing jobs
  • Job sites
  • Volunteering
  • Networking