Writing for video games is a unique art form that blends storytelling with interactive gameplay. A well-crafted game narrative immerses players, influences their choices, and makes the experience emotionally engaging. Here’s a look at key storytelling elements, structures, and techniques, including examples of how third-person perspectives, deuteragonists, and literary devices like onomatopoeia are used in game writing.
Story Structure in Video Games
Many game narratives follow traditional storytelling structures, with the Hero’s Journey being one of the most commonly used. This 12-step narrative arc leads the protagonist from their ordinary world, through trials and tribulations, to the completion of their quest, mirroring the journeys found in myths and classic stories.
However, video game stories are more flexible than those in books or movies because they allow players to control aspects of the narrative. Open-world and RPG games often branch into multiple paths and endings, giving the player a more interactive role in shaping the hero’s journey.
Third-Person Narrative Techniques
- Third-Person Omniscient: This narrative voice knows everything about all characters, locations, and events. It allows writers to give the player insight into multiple character perspectives, enriching the world and deepening the story. For example, in The Witcher 3, players are given a broad understanding of various factions and characters beyond Geralt, the protagonist.
- Third-Person Limited: This style focuses on the thoughts and experiences of a single character, often the protagonist. This narrative technique is common in role-playing games (RPGs) like Assassin’s Creed, where the player experiences the world primarily through the protagonist’s eyes, learning about the world as they do.
Deuteragonist: The Second Most Important Character
In many games, the deuteragonist plays a pivotal role, supporting or challenging the protagonist. These characters add complexity to the story and often have their own narrative arcs. A great example is Ellie in The Last of Us. Though Joel is the protagonist, Ellie is essential to the story, providing emotional depth and influencing key plot points. The interaction between protagonist and deuteragonist often drives the story forward.
Creating Round Characters
Round characters in games have depth, complexities, and evolve over time. Unlike flat characters, who serve a single purpose, round characters are multi-dimensional and believable. In games like Mass Effect, the player interacts with a variety of round characters whose motivations, personalities, and development shape the narrative. Writers give these characters complex backstories and moral dilemmas, making them more relatable to the player.
Using Onomatopoeia for Immersion
Onomatopoeia—words that imitate sounds—are often used in game writing and dialogue to enhance immersion. For example, words like “bang” in a shooting game or “sizzle” in a fantasy cooking sequence bring the scenes to life through sound. By incorporating onomatopoeic words, game writers can make a scene more vivid and dynamic without relying solely on visuals or sound effects.
Ghostwriting in Video Games
Ghostwriting is common in video game development, especially in large projects where multiple writers collaborate. Ghostwriters may be brought in to help refine dialogue, develop side quests, or ensure the story fits the game mechanics. These writers work behind the scenes, ensuring the story aligns with gameplay and world-building.
The Challenges of Editing for Video Games
Editing a game narrative can be more complex than traditional storytelling. Game writers must consider not only the narrative arc but also how it interacts with player choices and game mechanics. Dialogue must fit within time constraints, and plot points must be aligned with the game’s pacing. Editors ensure that the story remains coherent while maintaining player agency and immersion.
Conclusion
Writing for video games involves balancing narrative with gameplay, using diverse perspectives, characters, and literary techniques to engage players. Whether using third-person omniscient or limited viewpoints, creating round characters, or developing deuteragonists, game writers craft immersive worlds that blend storytelling with interactive experiences. By mastering these techniques, writers help turn games into compelling narrative adventures.