Story Writing Help

Albedo · 2020-03-29T02:19:06

Hello everybody! TL;DR, skip to paragraph 3. I've had an idea for a game for a while now that's been sticking with me and I wanted to start developing the plot, characters, etc. But I don't know anything about fictional writing; nonfiction I'm really good at but I no time/was too lazy to take up somebodies offer to guide me into fictional writing while attending college (engineering). I have attempted to create a game before, but became bogged down with work and abandoned it. I had produced pixel art sprites for it, tile-maps, movement codes and am a bit familiar with Unity and Godot software. But that is besides the point; this time I need some guidance on where to begin to flesh my idea out! Right now I have only a very rough idea of what I want and some potential game-play mechanics for it. As to how the story should go, I haven't the slightest idea. So, I want the game to have multiple different endings depending on the players action taken, when they do things, etc. Y'know, that sort of stuff where you can't just procrastinate in the game and get the same ending as speed-running would yield. I know for certain that I want one event to be able to happen and what the setting for the story is. The details/specifics are what I can't see in my head. To some people, details come naturally, but to me I see the over-arching idea but cannot see the fine details. So to summarize briefly what I would like advice or guidance on is (in order of importance to me): What does the story writing process look like (in steps)? What would help me be able to see the details for my story? Or is their a way to effectively “brute force" it? Or perhaps questions to decide on to coerce the details out of me? How important is naming characters or regions/areas? What is the best way to go about this? Currently I either jam it into a random name generator or choose a name I like. What does the inclusion of minor hidden plot elements look like in practicality? In other words, how do you plan your plot around something that seems insignificant but is important without it feeling forced? If you feel like I am missing major things to consider not mentioned in the above list, feel free to mention it! I appreciate any help you can provide on these tricky topics, thanks!

Writing for Games Game Design help story writing plotplanning

Started by Albedo March 27, 2020 12:50 AM

14 comments, last by CanvasBushi 4 years, 7 months ago

Launcher111

March 28, 2020 02:26 PM

If they intend on making a videogame, and inserting characters into a game, that might be easier for them. Unless they plan on making all aspects of a game. Which becomes a larger and larger project.

I've noticed many head developers that are pretty new, have issues with writers, they want to make a game, than insert story. Which can be done, but are trying to force fit ideas into a game, which result in some… plot holes? Possibly find a group?

If you have a fun project in mind, with nontraditional and obscene characters, probably save time and message me.

CanvasBushi

March 28, 2020 05:51 PM

Launcher111 said:
If they intend on making a videogame, and inserting characters into a game, that might be easier for them. Unless they plan on making all aspects of a game. Which becomes a larger and larger project.
I've noticed many head developers that are pretty new, have issues with writers, they want to make a game, than insert story. Which can be done, but are trying to force fit ideas into a game, which result in some… plot holes? Possibly find a group?

game story doesnt have anything to do with game design, a writer is not a game designer.

Launcher111

March 29, 2020 02:14 AM

That's corporate classifications, putting a name tag on everyone and a department to report to. How many billions of times have you heard "The book is better than the movie or game, and they didn't follow the authors true intent" I will ask you this question… star wars, star trek, star gate, and countless franchise's. They use this approach… guess what their story is falling apart… there fans are turning on them. In part the story sucks, and takes back seat to cgi effects. Another part is an unresponsive structure that has no interest in their fans beyond their money.

Writers should play an important part in games… skyrim is a great example… trying to emulate many established franchises are a mistake, because they are failing… being around for a reference, and to help with content questions.

If you have a fun project in mind, with nontraditional and obscene characters, probably save time and message me.