Game Writer - Video Games

"I am a born storyteller and gamer. My job involves writing scenes, dialogue and prose for leading video games. I work with a team on defining the world and gameplay mechanics. I’m responsible for developing stories with compelling, multifaceted characters that have strong motivation and consistent dramatic arcs. I manage scripts and assist in recording sessions and voice direction. My career merged my two passions in life—gaming and storytelling."

Salary Range:

$48,660 - $81,300

The Tip

Do a work-term experience. Period. This forces you to get out of a classroom and apply yourself. This opens up your world.

Priority Knowledge & Skills

Job-Specific Skills

Be an expert in the following job-specific skills:

Conducting secondary research
Ability to identify target audiences
Ability to develop a compelling narrative
Ability to develop an evidence-based story

Ability to use specialized communications and design technology

Job-Specific Knowledge

Be an expert in the following job-specific knowledge areas:

Deep knowledge of human behaviour
Ability to link content to audience

Core Transferable Skills

Be an expert at all core transferable skills:

Thinking skills
Communications skills
Organizational skills
Interpersonal skills
Technical literacy

Building Block Experiences

Education & Learning:

Bachelor of Communications (journalism) with a minor in computer science
Game Design: Art and Concepts Specialization from California Institute of the Arts from Coursera

"I always dreamed of being a game writer, but so do many other people. I followed my passion for storytelling, graphic novels and gaming into a degree in journalism where I focused on learning to tell a concise story. Leveraging education and learning is critical to be one step ahead of my competition."

Employment Experiences:

Did an internship at local gaming start-up. This company offered me a position upon graduation.
First position was as game project coordinator. Promoted to story coordinator and was mentored by lead story writer. My focus was character development.
Was given game writer lead and launched first app-based game four years after graduation
Recruited by large gaming company to be game writer for an established series

"My big break happened by choosing to do a particular internship one summer. This single decision defined my career. It showed me what I love to do and what I am good at. Working in this start-up, I realized that to become a game writer, I would need to take charge of the world I design and all the characters in it. It was all up to me. When I went to a larger company, I had the advantage of having “owned” a title already, and this set me apart."

Community Experiences:

Joined creative writing club in my community when I was 16 years old. I led the graphic novels group. In the group, I built my network and identified mentors.
When I am back in my hometown I host an annual gamer hackathon to mentor up-and-coming designers
Was on executive of my university gaming club. Very active in gaming community and engage in hackathons.

"Volunteering not only allows me to contribute my skills to my community, it broadens my network and relationships. The diversity of these relationships forces me out of my comfort zone."

Contextual Experiences:

To progress in this career, I needed to move to a city with a critical mass of gaming companies

"I knew I had to move and I am happy to be only three hours away from my hometown by plane. Balancing career and life is a challenge and there is no “right” answer. You need to make the decision that feels right for you."

Relationships:

Cold-called founder of a start-up in my first year of university. This cold call led to my internship and 10 years later the founder remains a friend and mentor.

"All relationships require risk-taking. The biggest challenge was that first phone call I made. I realized that if I didn’t make the call, someone else would. I took a leap and never regretted it."