How game writers craft stories in non-narrative-focused video games
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Summary
This article explores the role of writers and narrative designers in video games that are not traditionally "story-first," such as 4X strategy games. It features a conversation between senior editor Bryant Francis and game writers Harrison Pink and Emma Kidwell about the craft of integrating narrative into non-narrative game genres. The piece acknowledges the hard-won recognition of writers in game development, driven by story-driven successes, and then pivots to examine how narrative design functions in genres where storytelling is not the primary focus.
Key quotes
· 2 pulledFor years, writers were treated as tertiary to the core of game development teams, but that mindset has shifted with the success of single-player franchises like The Last of Us, Life is Strange, A Plague Tale, Control, and a cavalcade of other series that pair storytelling with highly-polished gameplay.
But what role do writers and narrative designers play when making games that aren't 'story-first?' These might include 4X stra...
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