So you want to write for Video Games?

​I have been an avid gamer my entire life. There is something about immersing yourself into a story that is so much more rewarding than binging the latest season on Netflix. My introduction to gaming began at around 3 or 4 years old when my friend’s mom brought home a Super Nintendo (SNES). As I remember, Carol (the mom) was an active gamer herself, and the first games she played were Zelda: A Link to the Past and Final Fantasy IV. For anyone who does not know, these were two incredible games and were a Masterclass in the founding of my video game career. Since then, I’ve continued playing games throughout my formative years and early adulthood, but one thing I’ve never really considered was making the games myself.

Like many of you I’ve played the entire gauntlet of games. I’ve learned that I’m terrible at sports games, I love RPG’s but have less patience and time for them than I used to.  I’ve been addicted to popular trends such as Clash of Clans or Fortnite. Still, I really, more than most, enjoy playing action/adventure games. I enjoy the shooting, I enjoy the puzzles, but mostly I love the stories. I can dive in for quick, bite-sized chapters or dive deep into the game only to emerge several hours later, realizing that I forgot to eat dinner. Naughty Dog is a leader in creating absolutely immersive and entertaining games. I’ve lost myself in several of their titles, most recently The Last of Us, and I’m eagerly awaiting the second installment, The Last of Us 2 to come out on June 19. But aside from fanboying, can’t I do more? I’m a screenwriter, not a software engineer, so how can I develop a more active relationship with the games I love so dearly? There are a few steps that I’m taking, which can bring me closer to my dream job.

I bring up The Last of Us not only because it’s a fantastic game, but because I was recently perusing the WGA Library (Writer’s Guild of America – West), and I stumbled across the script for The Last of Us. THIS WAS IT. This was my way in. The WGA library is a free resource in Los Angeles that is open to anybody who has a passion for movies or TV screenplays. Still, I was unaware that it also included video games or at least a few select titles. I believe one primary reason that I find games compelling is because of their stories. Now I’ve discovered that video game stories are meticulously hemmed over the same as any other narrative. Well, I’m a writer, can’t I just get a job writing narrative for a video game? Unfortunately, it isn’t that easy. 

Hollywood is a difficult town to gain a foothold in. In addition to having a portfolio worth showing off, it’s very much about making the right connections. Similarly, in the gaming world, it’s a small, tightly networked industry. Without and video game background or technical programming proficiency, I’m not a very sought-after candidate. But I plan on changing this. Especially in the period of Coronavirus, I have more time than ever, so I’ve begun to research and take Video Game courses to bolster my resume. One resource that I’ve found instrumental in developing a strong foundation in Game Development has been Coursera. 

Coursera is a “free” resource that offers discounted classes of your choice with the end goal of obtaining certificates. They have several courses from top universities around the country explicitly aimed at Video Game education. Video Game Design, Character Design, World and Narrative design, not to mention ones that actually develop prototypes of my own games. At the end of these courses, I hope to have a buffed portfolio full of game development credits to make me a more desirable candidate. But I imagine getting a job with a video game company still won’t be easy. So what else can I do?

​In addition to being a freelance screenwriter with a recent background of video game courses, I’ve been brushing up my knowledge on sites like Gamasutra and Game Career Guide. I’ve downloaded Unreal Engine 5 and Superpowers; these are two open-source, game development platforms that allow me to create my own working games (or samples). The point is to learn as much as I can about an industry that I so desperately want to be a part of while developing the skills that will make me a more desirable candidate. I’ll keep you posted on how it goes, but for now, I need a break and finish this next chapter of the Final Fantasy VII Remake. ​​