A video game writer creates the story and dialogue for a video game from start to finish.
During pre-production, your duties as a narrative designer for a video game may involve working on the story itself.
Your responsibilities may include working on the creation of characters and outlining the storyline for the game.
Your script and storyline may serve as a guide for video game programmers and designers.
You may collaborate with a video game designer who oversees the entire production process if you’re a video game writer.
Video Game Writer Information
| Official Job Title | Video Game Writer |
| Average Salary | $75,734 |
| Stress Level | High |
| Work/Life | High |
| Job Satisfaction | Low |
| Career Advancement | Average |
Job Description for a Video Game Writer
What is a video game writer?
A video game writer is a representative of the development team that creates video games.
They make the plot and backstories for the characters and the gameplay, graphics, and other game-specific components.
To better comprehend how other game designers would utilize their language in the game, video game writers often have some coding or software development experience.
Video game writers can operate as freelancers and handle individual jobs or work for a huge corporation that generates multiple video games.
What Does A Video Game Writer Do Daily?
Depending on the type of game they work on, their auxiliary abilities, and the size and composition of the broader design team, a video game writer can have several jobs and responsibilities.
Responsibilities, Duties & Roles Of A Video Game Writer
Typical responsibilities of a video game writer include the following:
- Investigating layout possibilities
- Teaming up with other artists and designers
- Plotting the game’s story
- The craft of crafting conversation for fictional characters
- Managing the recording of voice actors’ takes
- Script revision and upgrading as necessary
- Verifying that the game’s narrative satisfies the gameplay’s requirements by testing it
Video Game Writer Salary
Average Salary
A Video Game Writer can expect to make $75,734 a year on average.
Your payment will vary based on where you work, your experience level, your degree, and your skills.
Starting Salary
An entry-level video game writer makes an average of $51,195 a year.
This varies based on where you work, your experience level, degree, and skills.
Senior Salary
A Video Game Writer can expect to make an average of $83,039 a year in a Senior position.
Your payment will vary based on where you work, your experience level, your degree, and your skills.
How To Become A Video Game Writer
The Entry Level: Certification, Training & Degree
The majority of jobs necessitate at least a high school diploma.
When you’re in high school, make an effort to improve your writing talents by taking regular English classes and any supplemental creative writing courses.
If your university offers courses in coding or software design, consider enrolling.
Spend some time honing your coding skills.
A background in programming or technical game design isn’t necessary for every position, but it’s always advantageous to have some.
While some corporations demand college degrees from video game writers, others are perfectly fine with self-taught authors.
Get a Bachelor’s Degree in English, Creative Writing, or a related field to enhance your abilities and knowledge.
Other Skill Sets, Requirements & Qualifications
To complete the work assigned to this position, you will need to be familiar with the following skills and knowledge:
- Bug/Defect Analysis
- Debugging
- Programming
- Computer Software Development
- Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
- Computer Software Engineering
- Computer Software Testing.
Knowledge of the following is useful for this profession on occasion:
- Development environment (IDE) software
- Bug tracking software
- Source code management software
- Programming languages (application lifecycle management)
If you exhibit these talents in your interview, you have a good probability of being employed.
What Time Does It Take To Become A Video Game Writer?
A bachelor’s degree in video game writing, design, computer engineering, or computer science usually takes four to five years to finish for video game writers today.
Project management, integrated video design and technology, game prototyping, and level design are topics covered in a bachelor’s degree program in game design.
Is It Hard To Become A Video Game Writer?
Yes, getting started will be difficult, but that’s to be expected in any creative industry.
It’s a combination of persistence, hard work, and good fortune (being trained as a writer).
Career Paths for Video Game Writers
The Video Game Writer Roadmap
- Self-Promote
- Ensure you have some initiatives you can talk about in public.
- Ideally, studios will allow you to identify your involvement before release.
- Consider the needs of a game development studio
- Getting a job as a game writer has much less to do with writing ability than you may think.
- It would help to consider what a company expects from a potential writer/narrative designer from the perspective of those hiring you.
- Consider who may not be active in ongoing storytelling initiatives at their studios or who may not possess a narrative background (that’s why they need you!).
- Get Inspired About Something
- Only go for this career if you enjoy writing stories and playing video games.
- See the potential for how these two systems of thought and emotion connect meaningfully.
Projections For Growth In Video Game Writer jobs
Application software developers are the most closely related professions to video game designers.
Aspiring designers should be able to get an idea of job growth and earnings potential from the data provided for this group.
Application developers should see a 31% increase in employment over the next decade. Click here for more details
Is Video Game Writer A Good Career?
This is a highly competitive field.
Numerous jobs fall under the category of “video game writing.”
Designers and writers that specialize in narrative design and writing tend to be the most prevalent.
It means that if you’re a game writer, you may find yourself working nonstop at a studio throughout your career.
Working Conditions
Can A Video Game Writer Work Remotely From Home?
As a video game writer, you can work directly from home.
How Many Hours Does A Video Game Writer Work?
Working for more than 40 hours a week is the norm.
Working beyond hours is quite usual.
The majority of individuals have a set schedule to which they must stick.
Can A Video Game Writer Work Part-Time?
In many cases, video game production businesses hire video game writers full-time or part-time for their projects.
What Are The Average Vacation Days Of Video Game Writers?
Vacations for video game writers are usually 10-15 days long during the busiest seasons of the year.
Alternative Careers & Similar Jobs to a Video Game Writer
- Proposal Writer
- Screenwriter
- Film Editor
- Content Strategist
- Copy Editor
- Marketing Coordinator
- Content Marketing Manager
- Communications Director
- UX Designer
- Web Designer
Resume Tips for Video Game Writers
- Select the Most Appropriate Format for Your Game Design Resume
- Create a video game resume summary or objective.
- For a resume, write the ideal video game job description.
- Make a section for education on your video game resume. Great
- Showcase Your Video Game Talents
- Other Sections to Include in Your Video Game Resume
- Include a cover letter for a video game resume.
Interview Questions for Video Game Writers
If you had the chance to make any changes to your favorite game, what would they be?
Why it works: It demonstrates a love of games and an understanding of the development process.
Have you ever led a group before?
Why it works: Demonstrates maturity and ability to take the lead.
In addition to the characters and the setting, what else is essential to a story?
Why it works: The creative process and experience are both put to the test.
What would be the first step in creating a new game?
Why it works: This quiz evaluates your narrative skills.
Tips For Hiring A Video Game Writer
Before you hire a video game writer, ensure the candidate meets all the requirements of a video game writer.
The characteristics of a video game writer are below.
Main Characteristics To Look For In A Video Game Writer
- Creativity
- Passion for video games
- Knowledge of multimedia development software and programming
- Problem-solving
- Ability to collaborate with others
- Time management
- Effective communication
Minimum Level Of Education and Experience
Combine your enthusiasm for gaming and design with a design certification from NJIT to show companies how dedicated you are.
You will have the important skills and knowledge you need to create digital masterpieces when you complete your graduate certificate in game design and interactive basics.