Alex, Jem, and Matt are joined by lifelong writer and gamer Chris for a rich and unfiltered conversation on the craft of video game writing. They get into what sets game writing apart from other media like film, television, and books, exploring the challenges and unique storytelling power.

Chris shares insights from both his hands-on experience of writing and his deep love for gaming. The episode considers how interactivity and non-linearity shape the narrative experience, as they meander through topics such as relinquishing control, the strengths (and failings) of exposition in games, and the intricacies of crafting stories that players actively shape.

Highlights:

• Game writing is fundamentally different: it must accommodate player choice and non-linear narratives.
• Interactivity changes everything: Writers share control of how a story is experienced and interpreted.
• Good writing supports immersion: Subtext, environmental storytelling, and silence often say more than exposition dumps.
• Bad writing breaks immersion: Clunky story telling or dialogue can pull players out of the experience.

Featured games - Elden Ring, The Witcher 3 , World of Warcraft, Split Fiction and Space Marine 2 to name a few.

Whether you're a player, a writer, or just curious about the storytelling potential of games, this episode pulls back the curtain on how narratives are built in the world of interactive entertainment.

🎧 Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll dive deeper into writing choices, player agency, and what makes a truly great narrative in gaming.

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Thanks for listening, and remember – there’s always another game to play that isn’t full of nonsense. 🎮✨

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