Getting into Game Writing Part 2

What’s your favorite kind of game?

So the first step – making sure you’re ready when the time comes.

To begin: identify which kind of games you really like and play obsessively, as you will have a context for those games that you lack for others. When getting started, you will need lots of context so that you clearly ‘get it’ in a way that others do not.

I’ve interviewed many candidates who love games but had never played the TYPE of game I am interviewing them for. The various genres are so different that they’d need to be a genius level writer for me to take that chance on them. So pick your favorite genres, and set out to get work writing those. You can absolutely focus on several genres.

Wait you ask – “Why can’t you take a chance on someone? I mostly play FPS, but that shouldn’t preclude me from writing on your dating sim. We’re talking about being a professional, after all, not a fan writer.” And you’re correct. What you may not have considered though, are all the other resumes in the pile. If they’re all from people who played mostly FPS, then sure, I might take a chance on the best candidate. But when the resume right after yours is someone who has equivalent writing skills as well as extensive experience playing dating sims, there’s no need to take a chance. Or much less of a chance, at any rate.

So now you’re playing the kind of games you want to write, extensively. Tell everyone you know that you want to write for games. You’ll be surprised to learn that other people are working on something, and need some writing.

Another side note: this is tricky. Do not let yourself be exploited. If this is work made for hire – i.e., you will not own any part of it at the end, then you need to be paid. If a group of peers are working on a project, and they’re all working for free, they are all owners of that project. There may be different degrees of ownership – if Anne is doing all the programming, all the design, and most of the art, while you’re writing a few interstitials, Anne is going to own  more of it than you. It takes some common sense – and the willingness to stand up for yourself. But you either own some of it, or you get paid. Don’t ever work “for the exposure”. Anyone who offers you that kind of deal isn’t going to give you exposure. First of all, their project is probably headed for dismal failure. Second of all, if by some miracle it hits big, this shifty person will immediately seek to minimize your contribution, so you don’t sue them for the fat stacks they now possess. They won’t give you exposure. Don’t do it. Pay, or ownership.

The only exception I can think of is, if you have a very close friend who is making a game and needs a bit of help, and it won’t take you much time, it’s good to help them. However, remind them that you may ask for their help with your own projects later.

With the above conditions in mind, take on work! Help your friends with their games, be up and ready and willing to work. If you keep telling the world you want to write, people will come to you and ask for help on their projects. And yes – at this level you might get asked to write outside your chosen genres, and that’s totally cool. The focus you are developing will come into play later when you are applying for more formal, in-house work.

Next week: writing samples, trade shows, and research!