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Section 3: Creative Writing, part 1

OoPS Master Course in Game Design & Development

By Sergio VanNessPublished 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago 5 min read

This article is set to receive further refinement at a later date. This installment serves as one of many in a series dedicated to providing in-depth insights into the art of Game Design and Development. Within the scope of this educational endeavor, one will encounter comprehensive explanations of the fundamental principles and terminologies that underpin the field of Game Design and Development. This note will be removed upon completion of all necessary revisions and improvements to the article.

Creative writing is a crucial component of game design & development, as it helps to shape the story, characters, & world of a game. In this article, we will explore what creative writing is, how it is used in game design & development, & why it is essential for creating successful games.

Creative writing refers to the art of crafting stories, characters, & worlds through the use of language. In game design & development, creative writing is used to create the narrative of the game, including the plot, dialogue, & descriptions of characters & environments. It is also used to create the lore & backstory of the game world, which can add depth & richness to the player's experience.

Effective creative writing in game design & development requires careful attention to detail, strong writing skills, & an understanding of the game's target audience. Writers must be able to create compelling characters that players can connect with, as well as a world that is immersive & believable. They must also be able to balance the need for story development with the gameplay mechanics of the game, ensuring that the narrative does not detract from the player's experience.

One of the most critical aspects of creative writing in game design & development is the creation of the game's main storyline. The storyline must be engaging, with interesting characters & a compelling plot that keeps players invested in the game. It must also be well-paced, with appropriate moments of tension, action, & resolution.

In addition to the main storyline, creative writing is also used to create dialogue for characters & descriptions of environments. Dialogue must be natural & believable, with unique voices for each character. Descriptions of environments must be detailed enough to create a sense of immersion, but not so detailed that they become overwhelming.

One of the most significant challenges of creative writing in game design & development is creating a world that feels alive & dynamic. This requires a deep understanding of the game world, including its history, culture, & geography. Writers must be able to create a world that is both immersive & believable, with a rich history that players can discover through exploration.

Effective creative writing in game design & development can lead to a more immersive, engaging, & memorable experience for players. When done correctly, creative writing can help to create a world that players will want to return to time & time again, as well as characters that they will connect with on a personal level.

Creative writing is a critical aspect of game design & development. It involves crafting compelling stories, characters, & worlds that are immersive & engaging for players. Effective creative writing requires careful attention to detail, strong writing skills, & an understanding of the game's target audience. It can lead to a more immersive, engaging, & memorable experience for players, and is essential for creating successful games. If you are interested in game design & development, learning about creative writing is an essential part of the process.





3. Creative Writing, Story, Lore, & Inspirations
3.1 Series Information
- Research required for the story
- Target audience
- Series title
- Series genre
- Setting (time period, location, etc.)
- Point of view (first person, third person, etc.)
- Series concept or premise
- Themes and motifs
- Plot arc for the entire series
- Series length (number of games)
- Titles for each game in the series
- Plot summary of each game in the series
- Main characters & their archetypes
- Cover art and design

3.2 Lore
(Go into as much detail as you can.)
- Worldbuilding and backstory
- Magic system or special abilities
- Technology and science elements
- Politics and social issues
- Religion and spirituality
- Economic and class distinctions
- Race and ethnicity
- Gender and sexuality
- Family and relationships
- Career and work
- Education and knowledge
- Morality and ethics
- Nature and the environment

3.3 Story
- Point of view (first person, third person, etc.)
- Main characters and their characteristics
- Protagonist
- Main Character
- Side Characters
- Companions/Friends
- Animal Companion(s)
- Antagonist
- Rivals
- Villains
- Side Characters
- Minions, Grunts, Henchmen, Goons, etc...
- Miscellaneous Characters
- Reoccurring
- One Off
- Background
- Tone and style
- Symbolism and allegory
- Suspense and pacing
- Chapter titles and organization
- Prologues and epilogues
- Foreword or introduction
- Scene breaks and transitions
- Description and imagery
- Dialogue and voice
- Character growth and development
- Conflict and tension
- Conflict or problem that drives the story
- Climax and resolution

- Story, Brief
The Summary or TL;DR version.
- Story, Detailed.
Go into as much detail as needs be, Spare no details.


3.4 Inspirations
(This is for the future documentation of data to be collected on the progression of art through inspiration & pop culture infrastructures. How art evolves over time. I believe this data will help us better track & understand how important entertainment is as a resource in the progression of society as a whole.)
- Main characters and their characteristics
- Sci-fi elements
- Historical elements
- Contemporary or modern elements
- Mystery or crime elements
- Romance elements
- Humor or comedy elements
- Horror or suspense elements
- Adventure or action elements
- Historical fiction elements
- Mystery elements
- Thriller elements
- Psychological elements
- Military elements
- Superhero elements
- Apocalyptic or post-apocalyptic elements
- Magic realism elements
- Cyberpunk elements
- Space opera elements
- High fantasy elements
- Low fantasy elements
- Epic fantasy elements
- Historical fantasy elements
- Dark fantasy elements
- Sword and sorcery elements
- Urban fantasy elements
- Paranormal elements
- Steampunk elements
- Dieselpunk elements
- Alternate history elements
- Time travel elements
- Portals or gateways elements
- Supernatural elements
- Extraterrestrial elements
- Cryptozoological elements
- Anthropomorphic elements
- Political elements
- Espionage elements
- Military elements
- Postmodern elements
- Noir elements
- Hardboiled elements
- Experimental elements
- Game Easter eggs
- Game references
- Game parody/homage

- Influences
- Influence 1
- name of series
- series media
- Creators of the series
- Release Date of the series

Brief description of what about that series was influential. Explain Why in 1 Paragraph or less.

Explain why this is an influence in 1 Paragraph or less. How did it inspire you?

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About the Creator

Sergio VanNess

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