Writing Video Game Scenes and Dialogue
Master the art of writing compelling cinematics, cutscenes, and in-game dialogue to create immersive gaming experiences and memorable character interactions.
Master the art of writing compelling cinematics, cutscenes, and in-game dialogue to create immersive gaming experiences and memorable character interactions.
This introductory course explores the integral role of dialogue and scenes in video game storytelling. Students learn to craft engaging cutscenes, cinematics, and character interactions that enhance gameplay rather than interrupt it. The curriculum covers voice development, scene structure, cinematic storytelling techniques, and specialized dialogue writing for NPCs, including barks and ambient conversations. Through practical assignments and industry insights, participants develop skills essential for creating compelling game narratives.
Instructors:
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What you'll learn
Develop and maintain distinctive character voices in game dialogue
Create compelling scenes that enhance gameplay experience
Master techniques for writing engaging, unskippable dialogue
Apply cinematic storytelling principles to game narratives
Craft effective ambient conversations and NPC dialogue
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
PreRecorded video
Graded assignments, exams
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
Limited Access access
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There are 5 modules in this course
This course teaches the fundamentals of writing effective scenes and dialogue for video games. Students learn how to develop distinct character voices, structure compelling scenes, and create dialogue that enhances gameplay. The curriculum covers cinematic storytelling techniques, formatting for cutscenes, writing ambient conversations, and crafting effective NPC dialogue. Through practical exercises and industry examples, participants learn to integrate storytelling seamlessly with gameplay mechanics.
Voice
Module 1
Scenes
Module 2
Cinematics and Cutscenes
Module 3
In-Game Dialogue
Module 4
Ambient Conversations, Barks and Taunts
Module 5
Fee Structure
Instructors
12 Courses
A Versatile Writer Bridging Video Games and Theatre
Peter Boychuk serves as an Adjunct Professor at UBC's School of Creative Writing, where he teaches Writing for Video Games while maintaining an active career as a Senior Writer at Respawn Entertainment. After earning his MFA in Writing from the University of Victoria, he has built an impressive career spanning video game narrative design and playwriting. His video game credits include leading narrative roles on major titles such as MARVEL's Dimension of Heroes for Disney, Freediver: Triton Down, Evasion, and Dead Rising 4 for Capcom. As a playwright, he has created notable works including "Jesus Freak" for Pacific Theatre, "Fritters in Kandahar" at Lunchbox Theatre, and "L'Élection" for Théâtre la Seizième, with his play "Afterglow" published in the anthology "Two Hands Clapping" by Signature Editions. His expertise in interactive storytelling has led him to develop and teach courses at UBC, including the Video Game Writing Essentials program, where he helps students understand the unique challenges of writing for interactive media while bridging the gap between traditional narrative forms and emerging digital storytelling.
12 Courses
A Pioneering Literary Educator and Science Fiction Author
Andrew Gray serves as Program Coordinator at the University of British Columbia's Creative Writing Program, where he has made significant contributions to both traditional and digital education initiatives. Born in 1968 in Scotland before immigrating to Canada, he completed his MFA at UBC in 1996 and has since built an impressive career combining literary achievement with educational innovation. As the founder of UBC's Optional-Residency MFA Program and a key developer of the Video Game Writing Certificate, he has helped shape the future of creative writing education. His literary work spans both traditional and speculative fiction, with his short story collection "Small Accidents" earning nominations for the Ethel Wilson Award and IPPY Independent Publisher's Award. His writing has appeared in prestigious publications including Prairie Fire, Event, Grain, and Fiddlehead, while his science fiction novella "The Ghost Line," co-authored with J.S. Herbison, was published by Tor in 2017. In his current role, he coordinates educational technology support and develops new programs within Creative Writing, including non-credit courses, while continuing to provide learner support for the Video Game Writing Certificate program.
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