GAME WRITER HUSTLE: The Writing Test
Competition is fierce. Top videogame studios know there's a TON of talent out there vying for that dream game writer gig. (or, in these troubled times, ANY decent work) The solution? A little bit of controversial 'free labour' known as...the WRITING TEST. Now, I've been a game writer and interactive narrative guy since 1997. That's 23 YEARS. Let that sink in for a minute. And even with that slew of storytelling experience, heaps of professional accolades, high-level game writer recommendations, and some acclaimed self-created indie projects? I still get asked, more often than not these days, to 'audition'. Seriously. ..
GAME WRITING: A Short Exercise In Suspense ('Homecoming')
A potential client recently offered an intriguing challenge — write a short story in five parts with the following limitations: three sections of prose under 200 words in 2nd person narrative style, and two sections of TEXT MESSAGE dialogue with 8 lines or less in each. Use a female protagonist, and craft the tale from one of the following genres: Romance, Urban Fantasy, Comedy, Horror, or Suspense.
WRITING PROMPT: Questionable 'CHOICES'
Over the past year, I've been approached more and more about writing for 'branching narrative' games. Usually it's an established property, with the team leader keen for a different take on the material (which tends to translate as 'Characters and dialogue with more edge, please.')
Hmmm...I think I can do that ;-)
HAVEN: A 'Choose Your Own Adventure' Mini-Mystery (TEXT ONLY)
I'm an oldschool text adventure fan. ZORK 4 LIFE. Thanks to a client's prompting, and the power (and ease) of TWINE, I whipped up this wee mystery/thriller 'prologue'. Zero frills. More of a proof-of-concept than anything else. But as a fan of Twin Peaks and The Prisoner, you KNOW that weirdness awaits...
TROPHY BINGO (Short Study #2)
When Trophy Bingo was originally presented to me by friends at Roadhouse Interactive, I wasn't sure how I could help; it's a mobile game targeted at middle-aged women who like dogs, have scads of free time, and consider bingo to be the epitome of 'fun'. Quite the challenge for a dude steeped in horror, sci-fi, and CATS...
LESS IS MORE (A SHORT STORY STUDY)
I'm not big on resolutions — probably due to a crippling fear of commitment, let's be real — but I can't help but feel that 2017 is fertile ground for taking steps to improve my craft. And after reviewing a schwack (technical term) of past projects, I think I've zeroed in on an area that could use an upgrade...
IRON MAIDEN: Excerpt!!!
Working hand in devil-horned hand with the digital alchemists at Roadhouse Interactive and the heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN (!!!) I combed through decades of the band's lore, lyrics, and imagery to forge the high-concept story pitch and full-blown narrative treatment for this genre-busting and acclaimed action-RPG for iOS and Android...
THE ISLAND HIDEOUT
I was brought on to advise on the digital campaign and crowd-funding copy for English versions of this breathtaking new island 'eco retreat', opening its doors to culturally conscious and environmentally-minded travellers Xmas 2016.
PATTERNS = Memos from the Muse
In my creative and my personal life, I see patterns. Something as seemingly random as a rush hour commute with all-green-light intersections takes on prophetic business meaning...
ROADHOUSE INTERACTIVE
I was contracted for text/dialogue creation, cinematic scripts, and ongoing narrative design consultation for this Vancouver studio's diverse mobile game slate. Titles include action/sci-fi (WARHAMMER: Carnage), niche/casual (Trophy Bingo), and a celebrated global music/entertainment IP. (IRON MAIDEN: Legacy of the Beast)
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