Hannah Nicklin’s Writing for Games offers a progressive and inclusive look at narrative craft in games, blending theory with practical exercises. It’s built for modern writers—especially newcomers and indie developers—interested in writing for interactive media with empathy, social awareness, and experimentation at its core.
Key Sections & Themes
1️⃣ Defining Game Writing Today
- Game writing includes dialogue, worldbuilding, player choices, systems narration, and more.
- The book prioritizes inclusive, player-centered storytelling, and avoids industry gatekeeping.
2️⃣ Narrative Theory for Games
- Introduces key concepts: ludonarrative, procedural rhetoric, diegesis, and narratology.
- Encourages writers to see narrative as both structure and experience.
3️⃣ Designing for Interactivity
- Storytelling in games must embrace player agency and multiple outcomes.
- Writing should be systemic, flexible, and iterative—not fixed like film.
4️⃣ Character, Voice, and Dialogue
- Explores how to create emotionally resonant characters through branching dialogue and emergent behavior.
- Focuses on tone, subtext, and situational context.
5️⃣ Tools and Workflows
- Introduces tools like Twine, Ink, Yarn, and narrative scripting for engines.
- Guides writers on prototyping, playtesting, and writing non-linearly.
6️⃣ Writing Non-Linear and Modular Narratives
- Structures such as trees, hubs, loops, and systemic storytelling are explored.
- Writers learn to shape narrative space rather than strict sequences.
7️⃣ Narrative Design as Collaboration
- Writing is part of the full design ecosystem, not isolated.
- Communication with level designers, artists, and programmers is essential.
8️⃣ Inclusive and Ethical Writing
- Encourages writers to consider culture, identity, trauma, and representation.
- Offers ethical frameworks for writing diverse characters responsibly.
9️⃣ Case Studies and Interviews
- Features insights from indie and AAA writers (e.g., Meg Jayanth, Leigh Alexander).
- Real-world examples show varied approaches to interactive storytelling.
🔟 Exercises and Creative Prompts
- Practical writing challenges help readers apply concepts immediately.
- Promotes developing a portfolio through experimentation and self-directed projects.
Conclusion
Writing for Games: Theory and Practice is an empowering, modern guide to writing interactive stories that are inclusive, reflective, and impactful. Hannah Nicklin presents game writing not just as a technical skill, but as a political and cultural act—one that demands empathy, craft, and awareness. It’s essential reading for writers who want to push boundaries and tell better stories in games.