Does anyone specialize in creating narratives for games in terms of writing?
Hi
I have finally found the vortex to writing for games at long last and it's pulling me in slowly, surely, steadily.
As far as I've been exposed to MGSA there isn't really anyone who specifically specializes in game narrative design in terms of writing, that I know of :)
At the end of the day, I would like to create more awareness about creating narratives for games and the people interested in being part of that process.
Any feedback on this would be highly appreciated.
I have finally found the vortex to writing for games at long last and it's pulling me in slowly, surely, steadily.
As far as I've been exposed to MGSA there isn't really anyone who specifically specializes in game narrative design in terms of writing, that I know of :)
At the end of the day, I would like to create more awareness about creating narratives for games and the people interested in being part of that process.
Any feedback on this would be highly appreciated.
Comments
I guess I should just post more discussions. :)
The trick is to isolate the writers on MGSA somehow and nurture them.
The writing challenges are a very good way of seeing who is into writing.
By nurturing I mean sharing and listening a whole lot more.
If it were ever possible, brainstorming sessions would be cool.
If things permit, I shall be doing a year course on "Writing for Video Games" at SA Writer's College in the near future. Apart from that I do research my interests quite a bit.
Hence, I shall be able to share a lot more valuable information as time progresses.
That's about it.
I'm writing my MA dissertation on a (sort of) related topic, but narrative design/writing is something I'd like to get involved in, or at least learn more about.
What is uniquely South-African?
What is my SA identity?
We all have different racial and religious backgrounds, so I reckon a narrative that reflects this in some way would be ok, even great.
There are so many mythologies in this country, legends and tales.
I would start creating a South-African game-narrative from a personal experience point of view because I am a South African.
I may refer you to Joseph Campbell's work, especially "The hero with a thousand faces" and in it, the "monomyth".
The monomyth is a narrative pattern that summarizes the archetypal hero's journey.
George Lucas referred to Campbell's work when he made Star Wars :)
What do you think?
I'm also pretty interested in telling stories in games, although currently I'm focusing on doing things interactively, rather than through writing. I'm focusing on learning game design first, because I believe the best game stories are achieved through a focus on game design or at least interactive narrative elements.
Having said that, I've been lucky enough to have some experience recently writing for a game as part of my current Wits Game Design project. It's been great to experience: although most of the process was just slamming my forehead against the desk as I realised again how hard games writing is - it's very different to other media of writing.
I think having more game writing/narrative oriented talks at the meetups would also go a long way to nurturing local game writers/storytellers.
I had a look at "The Maker's Eden" demo, pretty interesting, thanks.
I do enjoy point-and-click adventures such as the older Full throttle and Curse of Monkey Island, been playing Primordia for a while now as well.
Do you know the program "Twine"?
I have worked with twine quite a bit. My personal research also focuses on interactive narrative and art, so it is a topic I find fascinating. I like your ideas, and would be happy to work with you to start implimenting some of them. Where are you based?
@brondin Where are you doing your MA, what is your topic and who is your supervisor? (I'm collecting researchers for a data base of SA game studies researchers ) :P
Interactive art is interesting because a picture tells a thousand words, if more in-game art would tell more of a story, the narrative would flow better into the game.
Would be great to work with you too, thankyou :)
What do you have in mind?
I am based in Fraaiuitsig, Mosselbay area.
Yeah man, I totally agree. The actual writing of the narrative, characters(their bio's) and the creation of the settings, seems to play second fiddle to the aesthetics and the actual programming of the games. Not every game needs a deep, intriguing and emotional driven narrative, but games which do posses them, tend to have a longer lifespan. And that is the kind of games which I want to create through my writing.
I would be cool if we could create some kind of "writing room" on Makegamessa. A room where we can exchange some ideas, or post some of our work, or post documents on writing, which people can download and use. Stuff like screenplay templates, character bibles, game design documents, proposals, treatments etc.
Oh ja, I live in George :)
The "writing room" is a great idea :)
Seeing as there are possibly some people that can't attend the community evenings as well, like me.
Something more specific for game-writers would be cool.
What type of writing do you do? What do you like writing?
Well, I havent written a lot of short stories. Uhm(scratches my head), I mostly write screenplays. I am busy writing a screenplay for a short film. On the other side of things, I am also busy writing a Game Design Document for a gaming idea which I have.
Stuff that I like to write:
Most of my stuff is very surrealist, especially my film related work. If you have watched any films by David Lynch or Nicolas Winding Refn, you will have a better idea of where my interests lie. It tends to be dreamy, eerie, moody, but still very intriguing.
When I make progress on my screenplay(its a bitch to get right), I will post it on here. I will look for stuff which I have done and post it on here tomorrow.
What do you like to write?
I have seen Dune by David Lynch a very long time ago, very inspiring movie I'd say. Based on the novel by Frank Herbert.
Ever heard of the real time strategy game Dune 2000, with the Harkonen, House of Atreidies and the Ordos. The actor who played Wormtongue in Lord of the Rings played a "mentat" for the Harkonen in the game and the Atreidies advisor was played by the actor who played Gimley.
Frank Herbert also wrote "The green brain". Quite an interesting book.
I look forward to seeing your work :)
I like to write fantasy short stories.
For your interest I've attached one of them, called "Archangel".
It would be awesome if someone could come up with a descent demons and angels game.
I guess Darksiders is the closest or even Diablo 3. Yet I haven't seen any games purely based on demons battling angels and visa versa. Should be epic.
Got my facts wrong, the mentat that Mr Brad Dourif played was in the Mr Lynch's movie Dune, not in Dune 2000 the game.
My bad.
Here is the link. It's just over 55 mins :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=uVs7vQuqefQ
Well, according to Riot Games, responsible for the MOBA League of Legends, I shall quote the following from their site: