It’s not easy being in the video game industry if you don’t have a lot of money to spend. The cost of buying games on the market can be quite high, and once you’ve spent that initial budget, you’re left with little hope of ever making back that investment. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to make money outside of just selling your games. One of the best routes is to become a video game writer. As the name would suggest, a video game writer is responsible for writing the stories and dialogue for a video game. The person who hires you will typically have some idea of what they want, but you’ll have the creative freedom to make it come to life.
The Challenges
If you’re looking to make money as a video game writer, you’ll face many challenges. First, you’ll need to decide whether to pursue a career in writing, as there are plenty of other options in the industry. Second, you’ll need to determine what kind of games you want to work on. While it can be amazing to work on an award-winning title, it’s important to remember that these are the exception rather than the rule. Third, you’ll need to learn to balance your creative writing skills with your logical thinking skills. You’ll be presented with lots of information but won’t necessarily have the skills to analyze it all effectively. Finally, you’ll need to prove yourself reliable so that your customers can trust you to get the job done. After all, they’re going to be investing a lot of money (hopefully!) in your work.
The Rewards
Of course, as with any other job, the benefits of working as a video game writer can be highly beneficial. First, you’ll enjoy the creative freedom that comes with writing for a variety of games. Second, you’ll be able to make a decent chunk of change based on your skillset. Third, you’ll be able to work remotely, which can be extremely convenient if you have a family or are just too busy to be commuting for hours every day. Fourth, you’ll get to exercise your creative muscles and improve your vocabulary — two things that never get old! Finally, you’ll be able to look back on your career and feel satisfaction that you were able to contribute to the video game industry in some way.
So, what are you waiting for? It might be the perfect time to live your best life and make the most out of your God-given talents!
The Steps
If you’re looking to make money as a video game writer, the first thing you should do is figure out what kinds of games you want to work on. There are plenty of options out there, so you won’t need to commit to just one genre. Moreover, some genres are much more profitable than others. For example, online RPGs are a gold mine for earnings, while stories about cats playing poker are typically a fast food restaurant compared to an RPG.
After you’ve established a small writing portfolio, you can then begin looking for employment. It’s a good idea to start slowly and build up your resume, getting one or two online freelancing gigs before seeking out permanent, full-time work.
Where to Start
If you’re looking to make money as a writer, you can start by taking a look at the top video game writers in the market today. For inspiration, you can browse through their websites, social media pages, or even their portfolio of previous work to see what kind of games they’ve written and what platforms they’ve typically worked on. This will give you a good idea of what to expect and help you decide whether or not this is the kind of career you want to pursue.