Essential Prescreening Questions to Ask Video Game Writer

What traits do you think are important for a successful video game writer?

Inquire about the characteristics they believe a successful video game writer should possess. This question provides insight into their understanding and prioritization of vital qualities such as storytelling ability, creativity, teamwork, desire to learn, and adaptability.

What types of games have you written for in the past?

Understand their genre preferences and interests by asking about the types of games they've written for. This allows you to ascertain whether their experience aligns with your project requirements.

Can you share a specific example of your ability to convey complex ideas or plotlines in a clear and concise manner?

By asking for examples, you can assess their capacity to communicate intricate concepts clearly and concisely without losing the story's essence.

What is your approach towards writing conversation dialogues for characters?

This question enables you to gauge their understanding of dialogue construction, character voice consistency, and the ability to drive the narrative through conversations.

How comfortable are you with following existing game lore or style guidelines?

An effective game writer must respect already established canon and style guidelines. Determine their comfort level with adhering to pre-set game lore and style rules.

Have you ever had to make major changes to your work based on feedback?

Assess their receptiveness to constructive criticism and ability to adapt their work based on received feedback. It speaks volumes about their flexibility and willingness to collaborate.

Do you prefer to work independently or as part of a team?

Question their working style to understand if they align with your team's workflow. Whether they prefer autonomy or prefer teamwork, both styles have their merits in game writing.

Can you describe your process for staying up to date on game industry trends and developments?

Identify their capacity to stay current with industry changes. A writer who keeps updated on shifting trends and developments would bring a fresh and modern perspective to their work.

How do you balance character development and plot progression in your writing?

See how they manage the delicate equilibrium between two core elements of storytelling – character development and plot progression. Their answer can provide a glimpse into their narrative prioritization.

Have you ever worked on a multiplatform game project?

Find out about their adaptation skills across different platforms. Each platform presents its unique challenges, and the writer's ability to navigate these waters could be beneficial.

How comfortable are you with game design principles and processes?

A writer with software and coding knowledge can be an asset, bringing a unique perspective to storytelling. Explore their familiarity with game design principles and processes.

What strategies or processes do you use to ensure that your writing is engaging and immersive?

Determine the tactics they deploy to make their writing engaging. Engaging and immersive writing is a key aspect of gaming that helps cement player's interest in the storyline.

Can you give an example of how you've incorporated player feedback into your scriptwriting?

See how they utilize player feedback to improve the game narrative. A writer that values player opinion demonstrates a commitment to delivering a satisfying gaming experience.

Are there specific genres or types of games that you're most interested in or passionate about?

Gain insight into their interests, which could dictate their passion and dedication to projects in those particular categories.

How do you handle deadlines and work under pressure?

Assess their ability to deliver quality work within strict time constraints. The industry often requires quick turnarounds, and a writer's ability to handle pressure and meet deadlines is essential.

Can you describe how you adapt your writing style to different types of game narratives?

Gauge their flexibility and versatility in altering their writing style to suit different game narratives, which can be a valuable asset, especially if your project encompasses diverse themes and genres.

How would you handle disagreements or creative differences about the direction of the game's storyline?

Capture their approach to addressing creative differences. This question evaluates their negotiation skills and their gambit in ensuring the storyline remains intact while accommodating others' creative inputs.

Describe your experience in writing for different age groups or demographics.

By asking for a detailed account of their experience writing for various demographics and age groups, you can determine whether their writing style matches your target audience.

How can your writing contribute to the overall success of our game?

This question shines light on how they envision their role within your project and what unique value they can bring to the table.

What are some video games you admire for their storytelling and why?

Asking for their favorite games based on storytelling offers a peek into their narrative preferences and inspirations. It helps you understand what they might incorporate into their scriptwriting.