Writing for Video Game Genres: From FPS to RPG [Paperback]

Wendy Despain (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 26, 2009

This book, written and edited by members of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Game Writing Special Interest Group, follows the acclaimed Professional Techniques for Video Game Writing to deliver practical advice from seasoned veterans on the special challenges of writing for first-person shooter games (FPS), role-playing games (RPG), and everything in between, including massively multiplayer online games, real-time strategy games, sports games, horror games, serious games, casual games, handheld games, and more. Game writing samples are included with the book, and more are available online.

Editorial Reviews

Review

" Writer's SIG has assembled an impressive group of experts who deliver spot-on advice for tackling gaming's many genres. I wish I had read this 20 years ago."" -Bob Bates, Bob Bates, Veteran game designer, writer, and past Chairman of the IGDA, February 2009
must-have for the bookshelf of any game writer, no matter what genre they're working in. It was equally fascinating and useful for me to read the chapters about genres I'm experienced in and the chapters about genres I've never worked in."" -Steve Meretzky, Steve Meretzky, VP of Game Design, You, February 2009
those of us swimming in the murky waters of games storytelling and narrative design, Writing for Video Game Genres: From FPS to RPG is not only a life raft, it's one with a treasure trove on top. Seldom do we erstwhile swimmers get this lucky. Read, learn, and build the rafts of the future."" -Rhianna Pratchett, Rhianna Pratchett, Writer and co-narrative designer on Heavenly Sword, Mirror's Edge, and Overlord, February 2009"

About the Author

Contributors to the book include Sande Chen, Richard Dansky, Steve Danuser, Graeme Davis, Wendy Despain, Stephen Dinehart, Daniel Erickson, John Feil, Chris Klug, Haris Orkin, Chris Pasley, Ahmad Saad, Tracy A. Seamster, Lee Sheldon, Evan Skolnick, Lucien Soulban, Maurice Suckling, Anne Toole, Andrew S. Walsh, David Wessman, J. Robinson Wheeler.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: A K Peters/CRC Press (February 26, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568814178
• ISBN-13: 978-1568814179
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 0.6 x 7.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #265,604 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > Languages & Tools > RPG

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Triple A Bias May 2, 2013

By MMD

Format:Paperback

Considering the fact that this garbage is written by "professionals" who at one time or another worked for triple A companies like EA...yeah, you do the math. The giants in the industry are not destroying video games, they are only destroying themselves. I'd like to see a book come out that's written by indie game writers as an alternative to this propaganda. Daniel Erickson? Come on! Really? He's the front man for yet another dying company: BioWare. Think for yourselves people.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Valuable insight, but there are better ones out there August 18, 2012

By avidreader

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book was required for a class I took at school. It offers some great insight from leading professionals in the field, but I think there are better ones out there. By the way, the cover is absolutely hideous!
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars intro on a range of subjects March 1, 2011

By ginsu

Format:Paperback

3rd book for writers from the IGDA

Each genre is covered by a dif author with a dif personality. Theyre all pros. Most of the chapters have *something* to offer. Maybe not what you expect or what you hope for, but you get something of value. It's worth a read.

The only iffy one so far has been the fantasy sci fi rant. The guy scolds the younger generations for mixing fantasy and sci fi, and for not reading deep enough into the dif genres... but the guy doesnt seem well read himself.