The Skills, Pathways, and Paychecks of Video Game Writers

A game writer's phone buzzes constantly. From a developer seeking clarity on a plot twist or a designer seeking input on a new level, to a voice actor calling to discuss character motivations, or a playtester offering feedback on the latest build - there’s a ceaseless tug-of-war between internal stakeholders for their (rightfully) valuable time. A typical day begins with a morning stand-up meeting with the entire team, where progress is shared, tasks are outlined, and obstacles are identified. The next few hours are dotted with emails from a creative director containing notes on yesterday’s script revisions, a producer dropping by to coordinate the next big narrative push and occasional inputs from team members and play testers whose feedback is crucial for maintaining narrative integrity while keeping players engaged.

It’s not an easy job. The constant juggling of solitary writing sessions and collaborative meetings with various internal stakeholders like concept artists, technical artists, cinematic directors, game designers, programmers and animators demands versatility and resilience. Writers must seamlessly switch between drafting new content and revising existing scripts, all while adhering to tight deadlines. The work is demanding, with long hours spent polishing and redefining scripts, adding side quests, and pacing the progression of events. Writers must be adept at self-critique, able to tell if something isn’t working and not afraid to “kill their darlings.” 

Yet, despite the challenges, it’s a deeply rewarding job. “There’s a unique thrill in seeing a character you’ve developed come to life, voiced by a talented actor, moving through a world you helped create,” said Harris Orkin, a veteran Game Writer and Narrative Designer. The satisfaction of knowing that their storytelling has captivated players, immersing them in a vibrant, living world, makes the hard work worthwhile. It’s a role that combines creativity with collaboration, requiring both artistic vision and technical skill. 

And it is through this rigorous daily grind that writers like Orkin craft narratives that captivate millions of players worldwide. Known for his work on blockbuster titles such as "Dead Island," "Mafia 3," "The Division," and "Resident Evil Village," he recently shared his insights and experiences with AFK Gaming, shedding light on the unique path that led him to this dynamic industry.

How to Get Started in a Career as a Video Game Writer

Orkin opens this interview with a fundamental truth: “This may sound obvious, but someone who wants to be a game writer needs to first become a good writer.”

"I had a lot of time to hone my skills at creating great stories and characters, and writing dialogue that actors can easily perform," says Orkin. In his former life, he created television, radio, and interactive advertising campaigns for brands like BMW. This played a crucial role, teaching him how to communicate information succinctly—a skill vital in an industry where players rarely have the patience for lengthy cutscenes or blocks of text.

But writing well is just the beginning. Aspiring game writers must immerse themselves in the world of gaming, understanding how stories are told within this interactive medium. Orkin emphasizes the importance of playing a variety of games to study how game mechanics, narrative, and art combine to create immersive worlds.

Creating these worlds, however, comes with its own set of challenges. “Mainly what a game writer does is create a context and logic for the game mechanics,” Orkin explains. This often means making narrative sense of gameplay elements that may initially seem illogical. For example, imagine a game where players have multiple lives. At first, this might seem unrealistic. However, a game writer's job is to create a story that explains this ability. They might develop a plot where the protagonist is part of a simulation or a virtual reality game within the game's universe, explaining why they can restart after death.

Unlike films, games are dynamic and can change significantly during development. "As the game is built and some features are discarded or changed, you need to be able to change the narrative to reflect that," Orkin says. This requires writers to be flexible and ready to rewrite the story to accommodate changes in technology, budget, and scope.

Writer’s block is another hurdle that is hard but vital to overcome. For Orkin, the solution lies in persistence. Writing every day, even if it means producing material that will later be rewritten, is crucial.

Harris Orkin on how to overcome Writer's Block

Game writers will also need to equip themselves by becoming familiar with the tools of the trade including normal ones like Word, Excel, or Google Docs, but also screenwriting software like Final Draft or Fade In. Some companies prefer Celtx or Articy Draft, and a few have proprietary software that converts screenplay-style scripts into Excel documents. This adaptability with different tools is essential, as is the ability to handle casting and voice direction, often with scripts ending up in a spreadsheet format.

While honing one's writing skills and understanding the intricacies of game narratives are crucial steps, the path to becoming a professional game writer involves more than just technical prowess. Breaking into the industry presents its own set of challenges and often requires strategic navigation through a competitive landscape. 

Breaking into the industry

Orkin’s foray into industry began from an unexpected but deeply personal place. “I was a playwright and screenwriter who always loved games,” he recalls. “When my son was born, we played everything together as soon as he was able. As he got older, we'd go to LAN centers for games like Counter-Strike, Team Fortress, Unreal Tournament, and MechWarrior. We were scouted by the G4 TV network and competed together on Arena. He would always kick my butt, so after he'd go to bed, I'd stay up late to practice.”

His dedication paid off, particularly with one game: "Soldier of Fortune 2." Orkin’s skill in the game led him to join a competitive clan and participate in tournaments. This experience introduced him to the writer of the game, who discovered Orkin’s background in screenwriting. “We traded contact info, and he introduced me to people in gaming, while I introduced him to people in Hollywood,” Orkin explains. This networking was pivotal, eventually leading to his first game-writing job for Atari's "Dungeons & Dragons: Dragonshard."

His career gained momentum when he began attending industry conferences such as the Game Developers Conference (GDC) and Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). These events facilitated key connections, including with Techland, the studio behind "Call of Juarez." “I worked with them on their next six games, including 'Dead Island' and 'Dying Light,'” he says. Around the same time, an application for a writing job at Electronic Arts (EA) resulted in him being hired for "Red Alert 3." From there, Orkin’s career took off.

Many video game writers in the industry have similar beginnings. Breaking into the world of video game writing can feel like navigating an intricate maze with few clear paths. The journey often starts outside the gaming industry, leveraging skills honed in other writing careers. Screenwriters, magazine contributors, and novelists often transition into game writing, where their talent for crafting compelling narratives finds a new, interactive audience. This pathway, while challenging, relies heavily on showcasing a strong portfolio of previous work that demonstrates an ability to tell stories that can captivate players.

Entry-level roles in video game writing are exceedingly rare. Internships, which could provide practical experience and help build a portfolio, are seldom available. When such opportunities arise, they are fiercely competitive and often close quickly due to high demand. Aspiring writers are left to find alternative routes to break into the industry.

Evan Skolnick, a seasoned industry veteran and author of the book ‘Video Game Storytelling: What Every Developer Needs to Know about Narrative Techniques’, suggests an alternative approach. "Competition for the few advertised game writing positions that come up is extremely fierce. For each of these openings, you will be going up against other writers -- probably dozens, scores, or even hundreds of them -- many of whom are already working in the field and have demonstrated their ability to write for games in the real world," Skolnick explains. Instead, he recommends aspiring writers consider starting in more generalized roles such as game design. These positions are more common, versatile, and flexible, providing a broad understanding of game development. "Once you are well-established within the studio and have gained the trust of the management, you can express your interest in game writing," he advises. This internal transition can offer a significant advantage over external applicants who rely solely on their portfolios and applications.

Another strategy is joining narrative development and consultation studios such as Sweet Baby Inc. or Qualia Writers. These studios are frequently outsourced to develop lore and stories for AAA studios’ titles including God of War: Ragnarok, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and more. Writers can build their experience in these environments and later transition to in-house roles within game development companies.

Skolnick also advocates for a DIY approach, where aspiring writers form their own teams to develop independent games. "While the idea certainly sounds enticing, do keep in mind that it takes an enormous amount of work without offering any benefits or guarantee that you’d make a profit on your investment into the project," he cautions. This path can be enticing and offers a strong foothold in the industry, but it requires a tremendous amount of work and carries significant financial risk without guaranteed returns.

In the past, many AAA game writers started by writing for mobile game studios or indie developers. Mobile game studios, particularly those producing text-heavy genres like choose-your-own-adventure or romance games, offered more accessible entry points. Indie studios, despite budget constraints, provided opportunities to gain valuable experience. However, with the advent of AI large language models, these jobs are becoming scarce, leaving many to rely on personal connections within the industry to find entry-level writing positions.

Despite these challenges, why would one want to embark on a career as a video game writer? Is it even financially viable?

The Financial Rewards: What Game Writers Can Earn

Once established, the financial rewards for video game writers can be substantial. According to data from publicly available game dev salary listings hosted by Evva Karr, the average salary for a senior video game writer in the United States is approximately $96,559, with a range from $70,000 to $125,000 annually. In comparison, non-senior writers in the U.S. have an average salary of $60,304, ranging from $20,000 to $132,000.

In the UK, the financial landscape is slightly different. Senior writers earn an average of £38,880, while writers earn around £26,500, as per the publicly available Google sheet detailing game dev salaries maintained by Lottie Bevan, founder of the game studio Weather Factory.

Senior writers or those working with major AAA studios in the U.S. can earn upwards of $125,000 per year. Freelance writers, who often juggle multiple projects, may have more variable incomes but can also command competitive rates, particularly if they have built a strong portfolio and reputation within the industry.

Geography also plays a role in salary variations. Writers based in major gaming hubs such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle typically earn higher salaries due to the higher cost of living and the concentration of top-tier studios. Conversely, writers in smaller markets or remote positions may earn less but often benefit from lower living costs.

Benefits packages, including health insurance, retirement plans, and bonuses, further enhance the compensation for in-house writers. Additionally, successful game titles can bring in royalties or performance bonuses, significantly boosting overall earnings.

Despite these respectable figures, game writers generally occupy the lower half of the salary spectrum when compared to many other roles in the industry. Production roles, encompassing various levels of producers, often command higher salaries. Technical roles, such as software developers and engineers, and executive management positions like marketing managers and CEOs, also typically earn significantly more than game writers on average.

Average Game Dev Salaries in the United Kingdom

In 2024, the video game industry has increasingly recognized the importance of good writing, now hiring professional writers and ideally bringing them onto projects from the very start. "Game writing has changed quite a bit," says Orkin. "For instance, when I started, my playwriting background came in handy. A lot of character art was relatively simple. You couldn't really see the faces. It was like writing for an audience member at the back of the theater who couldn't really see the expressions on the actors’ faces. With performance capture, you can see the faces, and the acting can be subtle and communicate what the character is feeling without any dialogue. Companies have recognized the importance of good writing and hire professional writers and ideally bring them onto the project from the very start. That way the narrative and level design and art and game design can all work together seamlessly.”

However, an emerging threat is casting a shadow over these roles: the rise of AI language models. Advanced AI systems are becoming increasingly capable of generating complex narratives, potentially endangering the job security of human writers. These AI models, powered by vast datasets and sophisticated algorithms, can produce content at a fraction of the time and cost required for human writers. Although the quality of the narratives that these models generate can be dubious, this technological advancement is prompting concerns across the industry, especially since smaller studios with lower budgets for creative processes might resort to using these AI tools to cut costs.

The implications of AI in game writing are profound. Writers will have to not only compete with each other but also with machines that are rapidly improving in their ability to craft stories. The challenge for human writers lies in continuously honing their craft, developing unique voices, and leveraging the emotional depth and creativity that AI has yet to fully replicate. 

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