Video game writing course curriculum

Enrolling in an online video game writing course allows learners to understand the unique narrative demands of various game genres and more. Some key topics these courses might cover include:

• Introduction to video game writing: An overview of the fundamentals of video game writing, including storytelling techniques, character development, and narrative structure specific to games.

• Game design and narrative: An exploration of the intersection of game design and storytelling, focusing on how narrative elements can enhance gameplay and player engagement. Learners may study concepts like interactive storytelling, branching narratives, and player agency.

• Dialogue writing for games: A deep dive into the art of writing dialogue for video games. It covers topics such as character voice, writing natural and dynamic conversations, and integrating dialogue with gameplay mechanics.

• Worldbuilding in games: A lesson on creating immersive, captivating and ethical game worlds. Learners explore techniques for building rich environments, establishing lore and backstory, and designing interactive narratives within the game's universe.^{Footnote 1}

• Game writing for different genres: A look at how writing techniques can vary across different game genres, such as action and role-playing. Learners explore genre-specific storytelling conventions, pacing, and narrative design considerations.

With edX, you can enhance your expertise and skills through a range of educational offerings. Courses in disciplines such as creative writing or software development can lay the foundation for aspiring gaming industry professionals, some of whom get started with a bachelor’s degree program. For advanced learners, a master’s degree program provides opportunities for specialization. Additionally, accelerated boot camps and executive education courses cater to individuals who want to upskill while working and stay updated with the latest industry trends.

Find the right learning path for you with edX.

Explore video game writing jobs

The gaming industry is an expansive one with opportunities ranging from game development to scriptwriting. Some potential job roles for individuals with a background in video game writing include:

• Video game writer: As a video game writer, you are responsible for developing compelling narratives, dialogues, and storylines for video games. Your role involves collaborating with the game development team to create engaging and immersive storytelling experiences.^{Footnote 2}

• Narrative designer: As a narrative designer, your focus is on crafting the overall narrative structure and gameplay elements that drive the storytelling in video games. You may work closely with game designers, writers, and artists to ensure a cohesive and captivating narrative experience.^{Footnote 3}

• Game scriptwriter: As a game scriptwriter, you specialize in writing scripts for video game cutscenes, dialogues, and character interactions. You are tasked with creating dialogue that is engaging, authentic, and aligns with the game's overall narrative vision.^{Footnote 4}

• Game content writer: As a game content writer, your responsibility is to create and develop in-game content such as item descriptions, lore, quest dialogues, and worldbuilding elements. Your goal is to ensure that the written content enhances the player's experience.^{Footnote 5}

• Game localization writer/translator: As a game localization writer, you spend your time adapting and translating game content into different languages to cater to a global audience. A key part of the job is ensuring that the translated text captures the original essence and tone of the game while considering cultural nuances.^{Footnote 6}

With a background in video game writing, you can also pursue a career as a game reviewer or content creator. You can create written or video-based reviews and commentary on video games, sharing your insights and opinions with the gaming community.

Whether you desire to pursue a profession in digital media production or choose to specialize in narrative design, edX makes it possible to enhance your technical and creative abilities with a diverse selection of online courses.