SW 417V - Writing for Video Games

Prerequisite, writing for film and television majors, or screenwriting majors, or other Dodge College majors with consent of instructor. We continue to witness the massive convergence of film and TV with game development and other emergent media, fueled by game players and developers who are drawn by the promise of great gameplay, inventive narrative design, and nuanced dialogue. This has significantly elevated the quality of the stories that we tell, how we tell them, and how the media savvy public experiences them - and led to some of the most successful IP franchises in history. This dramatic shift has fueled the need for great storytellers who can craft compelling narratives and emotionally engaging experiences that span multiple mediums. There has never been a better time to bring these stories to life. The course will consist of lectures, video clips, discussion, with topics varying week to week. Students will pitch, write, and participate in discussions, as well as read and provide feedback to others in the class. Students are evaluated on: story pitch, synopsis, character and world building, narrative design, treatment, and script pages. Letter grade with Pass/No Pass option. $75 (Offered as needed.) 3 credits