The Gamers' Guide to Writing for Games — Part One

by Cody 'Neramaar' Hargreaves

Cody 'Neramaar' Hargreaves has been writing reviews and gaming-related articles across various websites and online publications for over a year now, and is best know for his 'MMO Meltdown' column in the Australian E-Zine Pixel Hunt, and for his numerous blog postings and game reviews on MMOsite.com.

When we're young and invincible, we believe we can become anything. From Astronauts to Aeronautical Engineers, Paramedics to Porn Stars, nothing is a

stretch; nothing seems too far out of our reach. When I was young, I wanted to be a writer. More than that, I wanted to write about video games. It seemed like the logical choice really, I spent my childhood playing them; studying them, reading about them, cherishing them and criticising them --- why not do it for a living?

But it was just a dream. Just one of those goals you set, but always know you'll never really achieve. I wasn't going to get paid to write about games any sooner than I was going to make my living designing aeroplanes or exploring the bitter reaches of space.

At least, that's what everyone kept telling me. How wrong they were.

 

The only warning you'll ever get, and the only one you'll ever need.

You may think me silly — beginning an article designed to teach you how to become a game writer by first telling you that it's not going to happen — but you'd be wrong. It's really the only way to begin, because it's the one thing that will most likely keep you from actually doing it. Believing in yourself is everything when it comes to achieving your goals. This is what it really all comes down to, if you're not willing to believe in yourself, to work hard and to put in the time and effort required of success, then you've already failed and you don't need to read any further.

Writing is a pleasure, not a job. We writers' don't live lavish lives and drive luxury cars. We don't eat with golden cutlery, we don't get to hire a butler, and we don't enjoy private dinners with the Playboy Bunnies. We do, on the other hand, get the benefit of doing something we love, everyday, and most of us make enough to live comfortably from it. We do get to work from the comfort of our own homes (or in my case, my wonderful

queen-sized bed, where I lay at this very moment writing), we do get the luxury of working without a boss breathing down our necks, and more importantly, we do get to say whatever the hell we like. Our voice is a force to be reckoned with, our words strike fear into the hearts of our enemies, and bring joy to our closest friends. Oh, and we get to show off, all the time, and tell everyone how we get all the new games for free, before they're even allowed to buy them.

Consider the above my disclaimer, my subtle little "I told you so" in case you read my guide and fail, and try to pin the blame on me. The writing business is a hard slog, and from the perspective of the majority, it's not really worth it either. But if you've read this far then it's safe to assume that you've got the same juice flowing through your veins as I do in mine, and in that case, you already know that it's all worth it, and that in our world — this is as good as it gets.

 

A few things you should know about writers and the things that few of them know.

If you've decided that writing is for you, and that you're okay with the aforementioned sacrifices required for success, then there're a few things that you should know before you begin. Some of you may already know of these, other will need to spend a few days on Google brushing up, but be assured that they are all essential, and that without them, success as a writer is unachievable.

Many thanks for the contribution from writers. The ideas and opinions presented in this article do not represent the views of MMOsite.