Stories In and Out of Games
I’ve gotten many emails in the last few days about writing for video games.
To answer a few of your questions, here is the article I wrote earlier this year for GameInformer #170, Telling Stories In and Out of Games.
I talk about the differences and similarities between writing a novel, screenplay, comic, and video game--and how these skills specifically transfer to games. I barely touch on the main issues (I could teach an entire semester class on writing for each medium!). The article will at least start you thinking about these things if you are interesting in writing for games.
posted by Eric Nylund at 9:01 AM
17 Comments:
You have done a great job so far with books based on games; I have read all the Halo ones several times. Is it true you are working on more Halo books because the end of Halo: Ghosts of Onxy (stop reading if you have not finished Halo 3) didn’t tie into Halo 3 so we still don’t know what’s happened to Fred, Kelly etc.
Mat
Hey Eric,
Sure hope you get another shot at the HALO novels to ensue, assuming they decide to create more after Contact Harvest. After all, at the end of HALO 3 (legendary) something tells me a novelization on the game will encorporate that ending, because it seems too significant to pass up...if that ending is what I think it is.
Anyways, I was glad to see that words you typed up made their way into the final game. Congrats on all your successes, and the many more to come.
-EmF
Sarge and EMF – Bungie has one more novel under contract with TOR after CONTACT HARVEST. As far as I know, at this time, it has yet to be determined what that novel will be about or who will be writing it. It’s all up to Bungie.
Hey Eric have you beat Halo 3 yet? I myself loved the ending so much, but I'm just curious to hear what your thoughts on it might be. Would you have changed anything? (I guess you cant answer that tho.. this is a spoiler sensitive blog). Anyway Eric, YOUR THE MAN!
Now there's a good question. I played through Halo 3 and thought that the story was absolutely terrible. Awful. I could go into great detail, but I don't care to here and I don't know that Eric would appreciate ranting.
Though I am suddenly very curious on your thoughts, disregarding the fact that there is another book to be announced.
Sir Eric, i am surprised that you are allowed to release that there will be another book.
I have yet to read Contact Harvest, so i am unsure as to what writer i will enjoy more (no offense), though i definitely believe you are better than Dietz. He incorporates too much unnecessary gore, in my opinion.
If you are gonna be the one to write the last book (if it is the last), put in a good word about writing it about GREY TEAM!!!!
Its so necessary, and i personally would be pissed if they mentioned them a whole bunch of times and never did anything with them.
Jeremy and Sir_B-- I haven’t played HALO 3 yet; I’ve had to help a sick family member recover from surgery. When I do, however, I will not offer critique, review, or praise about the plot. I don’t think that would be entirely kosher.
Avidwriter – The three book deal with TOR was announced over a year ago on Bungie.net. No big secret there.
Hi Eric,
Is it too late for Bungie to ask you for a novel? I'm obviously not asking for an announcement or anything, but I'm just interested as to how that kind of business works. Thanks for your time!
Rad
Hi Eric, i've just purchased the books "First Strike & Ghosts of Onyx". The reason why these were purchased first is because they have to get shipped in from overseas and they were the easiest to get hold of. But lets leave it at that for the moment.
My reason for writing to you, is to find out in order. When i finally collect all the books, bare in mind that some of the books are writen by different authors. "WHICH OF THE SERIES IN ORDER, DO I READ FIRST?"
It would be awesome if you could tell me, so im not purchasing books that just waffle on about the game, like a manual on how to play etc... Oh yes, i have clocked all three games several times hehe.
I thought halo 3, was a little short and reading a bit of blurb on the back of the "First Strike" tells me the book series doesn't end. Same with the ending on halo 3 after the credits roll. So maybe there's a possibility for more halo games in the future, i like to think so..
xboxLive username: Braxe Co oP
Cheers!
Braxe— Although you can read them in strict chronological order, I’d stick with the order in which they were published. That gives you the core story first and moves outward from there, and will be the best reading experience.
That would be: Fall of Reach, The Flood, First Strike, Ghosts of Onyx, and then Contact Harvest.
Hope that helps!
--Eric
Eric I just couldn't get enough of the Halo saga including Ghosts of Onyx (Which by far has to be the best one I have read). After finishing Ghosts of Onyx I strongly hope you would be able to make this saga last a few books longer and who knows introduce alot of new Spartans.
hey Eric your doing a great job. I've read all the novels played all the games and i still want more man. I just wanted to thank you for contributing to such a great saga.
i also wanted to let you know that i'm currently the middle east and you have a lot of fans here.
So keep doing what your best at and i hope you write the next Halo novels
Dijam
hey there eric!
first off your a great writer! i love your halo books thus far and plan on reading more of your titles. i too am a author and im in the curent stages of writing a book that is a total precurser to all the halo books which is called HALO:forerunners. im using game ideas and book ideas to help me. this is the first knowledge of all the lost forerunner history. im excited to see how it comes out.
i would love it if you would contact me at ralovingalchemist@yahoo.com
here is the link in case you would like to read a portion of it.
HALO: forerunners book
In all honesty, Eric, this helps a lot. I've done a tad bit of writing myself, and now I know what I need to focus on if I ever want a career in game writing. I haven't checked out your Halo books yet but if they are anything like Game of Universe and Signal to Noise they should be excellent. Looking forward to Mortal Coil too
This post has been removed by the author.
Hello, 1st things first, you are an amazing writer, easily my fav, loved Ghosts of Onyx
I've read some comments and know that Bungie havn't decided on the storyline or writer for the last book, But do you have any idea as to how long it will take, me and my mate are getting bored :)
Post a Comment
<< Home