Join Jaclyn Seto, a writer at Respawn Entertainment and mentor at Vancouver Film School, alongside Christal Rose Hazelton, former writer for Respawn and associate on Hogwarts Legacy. They dive into the nuances of game writing, discussing how to create compelling characters and maintain humor on demand. The pair shares insights on writing fanfiction, the impact of self-imposed rules, and their evolving styles. They even touch on worldbuilding pet peeves and the art of crafting engaging narratives, all while balancing creativity with the constraints of game development!
Jaclyn and Christal showcase their diverse backgrounds, highlighting that there is no single path to becoming a successful game writer.
The importance of educational programs, like Vancouver Film School, is emphasized for equipping aspiring writers with relevant industry skills.
Character development requires understanding distinct voices and drawing from personal experiences to create authentic interactions.
Deep dives
Paths to Game Writing
Both Jacqueline Siedo and Crystal Rose Hazleton discuss their unconventional journeys into video game writing. Jacqueline, initially interested in animation, pivoted towards games after completing a game design program and gaining experience in a therapeutic games lab. In contrast, Crystal, with a background in kinesiology and working in physical rehabilitation, pursued her passion for writing through a game writing program after years of writing fanfiction. Their diverse backgrounds highlight that there is no singular path to becoming a game writer, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and following one's passions.
The Importance of Education and Mentorship
The guests emphasize the value of educational programs, specifically Vancouver Film School's writing program, which equips aspiring writers with practical skills applicable to game writing. Through creating design documents and character scripts, students gain hands-on experience that mirrors industry expectations. Both Jacqueline and Crystal now mentor students, providing feedback based on their own industry experiences, which illustrates the cyclical nature of education and professional development. This relationship between educators and students fosters the growth of new talent in the game industry.
Character Development and Voice
The discussion delves into the process of character development and the challenges of capturing distinct voices for various characters. Jacqueline explains her analytical approach to understanding existing characters by analyzing their dialogue and emotional nuances, which helps her craft authentic interactions. Crystal adds that drawing from personal experiences and understanding character backgrounds are crucial in developing unique personalities. This collaborative effort, combined with open communication with original character creators, reinforces the importance of depth and authenticity in game writing.
Challenges in Game Writing
Both speakers reflect on the hurdles they faced when beginning their careers, highlighting the need to adapt to industry expectations while maintaining creative integrity. They share experiences of working on projects that were canceled or underwent significant changes, underscoring the importance of flexibility and resilience. The need for collaboration among departments, especially between writers and designers, emerges as a crucial aspect of navigating challenges in game development. Maintaining a positive team environment becomes essential in ensuring that passion for storytelling is translated into successful game narratives.
Themes and Trends in Game Narratives
The conversation touches on recurring themes in their writing, such as exploring the complexities of human relationships and the balance between order and chaos. Jacqueline and Crystal note that video games often allow for unique explorations of themes like loneliness, responsibility, and the consequences of societal pressures. They discuss how industry trends, such as the push for diverse representation in character design, can reshape storytelling in games. This reflection emphasizes the evolving nature of narratives in gaming and the vital role writers play in shaping meaningful experiences for players.
Moving on from our GDC episodes, we're back with Jaclyn (Writer at Respawn Entertainment on Apex Legends, instructor & student mentor at Vancouver Film School. Previously a Writer on RPG Puzzle Legends and Merge Tales for Microfun) and Christal Rose (previously a Writer at Respawn Entertainment on Apex Legends and an Associate Writer on Hogwarts Legacy at Avalanche)! Together we discuss writing fanfiction, doing work you’re proud of without getting too attached, finding a way into a character, being funny on demand, self-imposed rules, whether their writing styles have changed over the years, writing with constraints, worldbuilding pet peeves, most overused words, what practice would they standardize across the industry, and common themes in their writing.
