Writing for Games: Theory & Practice was published in the first edition 2022 by CRC Press (Part of the Taylor & Francis Group). The book is an approachable and entry-level text for anyone interested in the craft of writing for videogames. The second edition will be released in late 2026.
About the Book
Focusing on the independent videogames sector, the second edition of Writing for Games offers resources for communication, collaboration, reflection, and advocacy, inviting the reader to situate their practice in a centuries-long heritage of storytelling, as well as considering the material affordances of videogames and the practical realities of working in game development processes.
Structured into three parts, Theory considers the craft of both games and writing from a theoretical perspective, covering vocabulary for both game and story practices. Case Studies uses three specific game case studies to explore the theory presented in Part I, alongside seven in-depth interviews with well-known game writers that excavate their craft. The Practical Workbook offers a series of provocations, tools, and exercises that give the reader the means to refine and develop their writing, not just for now but also as part of a lifelong practice.
The updated new edition adds:
- Brand-new material on writing for and within genre, on how to be a good collaborator, an expanded section on writing for comedy, and a new introduction.
- Seven in-depth interviews with practising game writers: Cara Ellison, Charlene Putney, Chella Ramanan, Harry Josephine Giles, Jake Elliott, Kaitlin Tremblay & Matthew Seiji-Burns.
- A substantial new section on the problem of using AI/LLMs in your writing practice