Do you love video games?
I still love playing Super Mario Bros during my down time! Hey, this mom can play!!!
If you are a writer and an avid gamer, why not combine your two passions into a fun and lucrative career?
With video game writing jobs, there are a ton of different things that you are able to write about, especially if you enjoy creative writing. From video game reviews to walkthroughs, to the latest news about new and popular games.
Just like with other writing niches, such as technical writing, video game writers are in demand and the need for them is continually growing as the gaming industry continues to grow.
If you want to become a profitable freelance writer and have a love for all things gaming, then why not try and be a video game writer?
Video game writing jobs are in demand!
There is not a large overlap with the gaming and writing industry. Therefore, if you have a lot of experience in the gaming industry and are a good writer, then you can make a good living as a video game writer.
To help you out, let’s learn what video game writing actually is, the different types of video game writing jobs there are, and tips on how to become a well-paid video game writer.
What is Video Game Writing?
Video game writing is a fairly new writing niche and the video game industry has increased in popularity over the past decade or so.
These different of writing jobs can include anything from news stories about video games and their creators, entertainment features, video game plot writing, and writing game reviews, just to name a few.
Video game writing has evolved to incorporate many different topics in recent years.
While there are many video game writer jobs that just write about the game itself, such as walkthroughs and reviews, video game writers have many different freelancing options.
If you don’t have experience with electronic arts and knowledge in the gaming industry, you might find it difficult to be a good video game writer.
Luckily, though, you don’t need to be a game developer, a game designer or narrative designer to write about video games.
Writers should be knowledgeable about the industry and the latest topics and news in video games and game design. Not to mention, also enjoy playing the games that they are writing about.
Video game writers can write for large well-known video game companies or smaller Indie companies and startups.
Writers in the gaming industry can write about anything from dialogues and scripts for games, reviews on games and systems, story development, content implementation, research, walkthroughs, game analysis, and so much more.
Most often, video game writers are part of an integrated team of developers and editors that work together on larger projects.
But what if you don’t have experience as a video game writer already? Do you have to go to night school to learn?
No! You can do this all from home.
How do you go about finding freelance video game writer jobs?
How to Become a Video Game Writer
There is the potential to make a pretty good living as a video game writer in the games industry. It takes a certain skill set in order to be successful.
If you are already an avid gamer, then writing about video games should come pretty easily to you.
There are many different entry-level writing jobs available on job boards for writers; including a variety of video game writing jobs.
For example, over on Contena, a freelance writing job board, there are several video game writing jobs for you to try out.
*To learn more about Contena, check out my review here.
You can also reach out directly to a company if you want to write for them specifically. Companies don’t always post when they are looking for writers or other kinds of freelancers; so don’t be afraid to go out on a limb and ask about potential freelance writing jobs.
Many companies will want to look at your writing samples before moving forward with a writing position.
While you can send over any kind of on spec writing sample that shows your writing style and ability, it is better to provide examples of the niche you want to write for.
This will help show the company that you are capable of writing about that topic.
If you don’t yet have writing samples in the video game writing niche, then make some.
You can offer to write guests’ posts for related blogs, start your own blog, or write on a platform like Medium to build up your video game writing portfolio. This works for any type of writing niche.
Later on in the post, I’ll show you a better way to create writing samples.
When you are pitching to a company, whether you have relevant writing samples or not, focus on the skills that you can bring to the company.
Perhaps you are a great storyteller and you have some examples of that. Share that in your pitch if you are applying for something that requires storytelling.
Being a video game writer also requires great research skills. Writers need to know what is going on in the industry and all the latest developments.
They also need to be able to field test the games that they are writing about, which some would consider the best perk of being a video game writer.
They also need great communication skills to be able to effectively work with other members of the team.
While you don’t need to be a gaming expert and have beat every game that you write about, you do need to be knowledgeable about the games that you are writing about.
Other gamers that are reading your articles should be able to easily understand the topics that you are writing about. You also need to write in a way that is intriguing to your audience, captures their attention, and also helps them in some way (like how to beat a certain level).
Ready to start looking for freelance video game writing positions and game writer jobs?
Video Game Writing Jobs to Try
There is a wide variety of video game writing jobs for both new and experienced video game writers.
Check out some of the writing jobs listed below for video game writers that might interest you. When you find something that piques your interest and you know you’re one of the qualified applicants, turn to Google and freelance job boards to see what else is available.
1. Video Game Script Writer
Every video game, just like with every movie or show, needs a script with dialogue. In the game story, characters talk to one another and there is a storyline to each game. These storylines and dialogues need a writer to develop the story, characters, and plot.
Some of these plots can be very intricate and require a lot of writing and collaboration.
These stories can be for Sci-Fi games, role-playing games, in-game guides, racing, and fighting games.
The content written by a scriptwriter is then used by voice actors to act out parts of the game via voice over work.
2. Gaming News Writer
There is a lot of development that happens within the gaming industry. New games come out, new systems are released, and new technologies are continually being developed. Gaming enthusiasts and those within the industry want to and need to stay abreast of changes and developments within the gaming industry.
Video game news writers also cover industry events, like E3 and Comic-Con. One of the biggest perks of a gaming news writer is actually attending these industry events. These events cover the latest gaming developments and all things fandom.
If you are up-to-date with new gaming trends then this video game writing job is for you!
3. Video Game Review Writer
Video game review writers are just that, writers that review the newest video games, like a game tester. They provide honest and timely reviews of video games or video game tester for other gamers to read.
If you love to share your latest video game conquests with all your friends, then this might be the perfect video game writing job for you.
Review writers need to play the game first in order to understand the ins and outs of the game and be able to give an accurate and honest description of the gameplay.
If you love reviewing new video games then this game writer job is for you.
4. Video Game Guide Writer
If you are like any other gamer, you have run into a situation where you just can’t figure out how to get that last power brick or beat the boss. Video game guide writers produce strategy guides and share cheap codes to help other gamers complete a game 100%.
Video game guide writers also need to be familiar with SEO and be able to incorporate keywords that frustrated gamers are searching for when they are trying to complete a game.
5. Creative Story Editor
There is a lot more storytelling in video game writing than most people realize. Creative story editors work with a team to pull together narrative stories and gameplay for a cohesive experience.
The creative story-editor helps to target a certain demographic so the game appeals to that audience demographic.
6. Social Media Writer
Gaming companies and industry events need to have a strong social media presence. Social media writers for the gaming industry need to be aware of the latest news and happenings within the industry. Social media writers give updates via social media on events, releases, news, and gaming tips.
7. Gaming Copywriter
A copywriter for the gaming industry writes sales pages for games and any other marketing materials associated with games and gaming events. Gaming copywriters also write in-game text and must have a solid writing skill. This can be anything from a sign on the wall (within the game) to in-game tutorials.
Many times you will find gaming copywriters writing instruction manuals, product descriptions, and promotions, which can overlap with social media writing.
More Video Game Writer Jobs
While the freelance writing jobs listed above are some of the most common types of video game writing, there are a handful more. Some are broader, while others are much more niched down.
- Strategy guide writer
- Freelance video game and movie tech writer
- Marketing and branding writer
- Video game creative writer
- Product manuals writer
- Video game user help guides
- Role playing game writer
Successful Tips for Video Game Writers
While cold pitching – reaching out to vide game companies – is probably the best way to land a writing job, there are ways you can promote your freelance writing service online.
1. Guest Post on Video Game Sites
If you are a brand new freelance writer the best way to create writing samples is with guest posting. I mentioned earlier that you can create your own writing samples and publish them on Medium.
This is a great strategy, but prospects need social proof that other people like your writing enough that they publish it on their site.
It also looks like you have clients too when people see your posts on different website! Win-win!
Just run a quick Google search of the niche + write for us. Here are the results for video game + write for us.
2. Give Yourself a Title
An easy way to let prospects know what type of writing you do is to call yourself a video games writer!
You can do this on your writer website, on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
This is what Evan does on Twitter.
It’s an easy way to “sell” yourself without being too “salsey!”
3. Create a Pitching Process
As a new writer, you have to hustle hard to land a video game writing job.
This means taking action and pitching, rather than waiting for jobs to come to you.
To keep you motivated you can create a pitching process whereby you give yourself a deadline or a metric to follow.
For example, you tell yourself you will pitch 10x a day for 2 weeks straight.
You will also draft a pitch template with basic information and then personalize it when you pitch to a video game company.
4. Connect With Other Video Game Writers
It’s a good idea to network with other video game writers in your niche. You can check out their writer website and see where they have been published.
You can also give writing jobs to them if you’re full and vice versa.
The Best Video Games Writing Jobs
One of the best types of freelance writing jobs out there are ones that don’t even seem like a job.
What you write is your passion and hobby and a creative skill you learn. Those are the BEST kinds of gigs.
Video game writing jobs seems to fit that bill.
If you enjoy playing video games, why not channel that enthusiasm and write for gaming companies?
Remember to pin me!
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