17 Game Writer Interview Questions and Answers

Video games are a multi-billion dollar industry, and the people who write the stories and dialogue for them are in high demand. If you’re a writer with a passion for games and want to break into this lucrative field, you’ll need to ace your job interview.

One of the best ways to prepare for a game writer interview is to anticipate the questions you’ll be asked. In this article, we’ll provide you with a list of common questions and sample answers that will help you shine in your interview.

Are you familiar with the current trends in video games?

Game writers need to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in video games. Employers ask this question to make sure you are familiar with what’s happening in the gaming industry and how it affects your role as a game writer. In your answer, share two or three things that have happened recently in the gaming world. Explain why these events are important for game writers to know about.

Example: “I think it’s really important for game writers to keep up with current events in the gaming world. For example, I was excited when Overwatch announced its new character, Ashe. She is the first major female lead character in the FPS genre of games. It’s great to see more diversity in characters, especially in such a popular game. Another thing that has been exciting is the release of Red Dead Redemption 2. The original game had an amazing story, so I’m looking forward to seeing if they can top it.”

What are some of your favorite video games and why?

Game writers often have a favorite game they’ve worked on, and this question helps employers see if you’re passionate about the work you do. It also shows them what kind of games you like to play. When answering this question, try to pick a few that are similar to the type of games your potential employer makes.

Example: “I really enjoyed working on the latest Call of Duty game because I love first-person shooters. The story was so intense and exciting, and it made me feel like I was actually in the middle of an action movie. Another one of my favorite games is Assassin’s Creed. I love how creative the storylines are and how much history you learn while playing.”

How do you stay creative when writing stories?

Game writers often need to be creative when writing stories. Employers ask this question to see if you have any strategies for staying creative while working on a game’s story. Use your answer to share two or three ways that you stay inspired and motivated to write interesting stories.

Example: “I find that the best way to stay creative is to read other people’s work. I love reading books, comics and graphic novels because they inspire me to think of new ideas for my own stories. Another thing that helps me stay creative is taking breaks throughout the day. When I get up from my desk every hour or so, it gives me time to clear my head and come back with fresh ideas.”

What is your process for developing characters?

Game writers often create characters that players interact with. Interviewers may ask this question to learn about your process for creating these characters and how you make them interesting or unique. In your answer, explain the steps you take when developing a character. You can also share an example of a time you created a memorable character in one of your previous roles.

Example: “When I develop characters, I first think about what type of personality they have and what their goals are. Then, I consider what kind of voice they would have and what kinds of things they might say. Finally, I write down everything I know about the character so I can refer back to it later as I continue writing.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to collaborate with others on a project.

Game writers often work with other members of the development team, such as programmers and designers. Employers ask this question to make sure you can collaborate well with others. In your answer, explain how you worked with a team in the past. Explain what made that experience successful.

Example: “In my last role, I was working on a game where players had to solve puzzles to find clues about a missing person. My lead designer wanted me to add more challenging puzzles for advanced players while also making it easier for new players to understand. We decided to create two different versions of the game so both types of players could enjoy it. This allowed us to create an engaging game without having to spend too much time creating additional content.”

If we were to play one of your games, what would make it stand out from others?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the gaming industry and how you can apply it to benefit your future employer. When answering this question, try to highlight specific features that make your game unique or interesting.

Example: “I would start by highlighting the story because I think it’s one of my games’ most important aspects. In my last role as a game writer, I was able to create an entire backstory for each character in the game. This helped me develop their personalities and motivations so players could understand them better. It also made the game more immersive since players were able to relate to the characters.”

What would you say is your greatest strength as a game writer?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you would fit into their team. They want someone who is positive, hardworking and passionate about the job. When answering this question, try to highlight a skill that makes you unique or something you have been working on improving.

Example: “My greatest strength as a game writer is my ability to create compelling characters. I love learning about different cultures and personalities, which has helped me write diverse characters in all of my previous games. In one game, I even wrote an entire backstory for a background character because I was so inspired by the culture they represented.”

How well do you handle criticism?

Game writers often receive feedback from other members of the development team. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle constructive criticism and use it to improve your work. In your answer, explain that you are open to receiving feedback and how you use it to grow as a writer.

Example: “I am always eager to learn more about my craft. I know that no one is perfect at their job, so I welcome any feedback I get. When someone gives me feedback on my writing, I take notes and try to implement their suggestions into my next project. If I’m unsure how to apply the feedback, I will reach out to the person who gave it to me for clarification.”

Do you have any experience writing for mobile games?

Mobile games are a popular choice for many players, and game developers often need to create content that is engaging enough to keep users playing. A hiring manager may ask this question to see if you have experience writing specifically for mobile devices. In your answer, explain how you would approach the task of creating compelling storylines for these types of games.

Example: “I do have some experience working on mobile games. I find that it’s important to write in a way that keeps players engaged without being too complicated or difficult to understand. For example, I might use shorter sentences and more common vocabulary to make sure players can easily read what they’re seeing. I also try to include plenty of action and excitement so that players feel compelled to continue playing.”

When writing dialogue, what tools do you use to ensure it sounds natural?

Game writers often need to write dialogue that sounds natural and fits the character’s personality. This question helps employers understand your writing process and how you ensure quality work. In your answer, explain what steps you take when writing dialogue for a game.

Example: “I use several tools to make sure my dialogue sounds natural. First, I always read through the script multiple times before sending it to the developers. This allows me to catch any spelling or grammar errors as well as make sure the dialogue flows naturally. Next, I try to write in the voice of each character so their dialogue is unique. Finally, I ask other writers to review my work to help find any mistakes.”

We want to ensure our game has a strong narrative. What are some common elements of video game narratives?

Game writers need to understand the elements of a strong narrative in order to create one for their game. This question allows you to show your understanding of what makes a good story and how it can be applied to video games.

Example: “A common element of video game narratives is that they are usually linear, meaning there’s only one way to play through the game. Another aspect is that they often have multiple endings or outcomes depending on the player’s choices. Finally, many video game narratives include cutscenes, which are cinematic moments where the action stops so the player can learn more about the characters and plot.”

Describe your experience with using storyboarding software.

Game writers often use storyboarding software to create a visual representation of the game’s narrative. This question helps employers understand your experience with using this type of software and how you might apply it in their organization. If you have used storyboarding software before, describe what types of projects you worked on while using it. If you haven’t used storyboarding software before, explain that you are willing to learn how to use it if hired.

Example: “I’ve never had the opportunity to work with storyboarding software before, but I am very interested in learning more about it. I think it would be helpful for me to visualize my ideas as I write them so I can better communicate them to other members of the development team. In my previous role, I wrote detailed descriptions of each scene within the game to help my teammates understand the direction I was taking.”

What makes you the best candidate for this job?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills you have that are relevant to game writing. Think about what makes you unique as a writer and how you can use those skills in this role.

Example: “I am passionate about games and I love playing them. I also understand that games are an art form and they need to be fun for players. In my previous roles, I’ve learned how to balance these two elements while still creating compelling stories. This skill has helped me create interesting characters and storylines that keep players engaged.”

Which games do you feel have the best stories?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your gaming background and how you feel about different games. You can use this question to show that you have an opinion on what makes a game’s story great, which can be helpful for employers who want writers with strong opinions and critical thinking skills.

Example: “I think The Last of Us has one of the best stories in recent years because it was so well-written and emotionally engaging. I also really enjoyed the storytelling in Bioshock Infinite because it used unique mechanics to tell its story, such as using Elizabeth’s ability to create tears to transport Booker to other locations. It made the story more interesting than if they had just told it through cutscenes.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of game writing?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the game writing process. It also allows you to demonstrate how important this role is in the development of a video game. When answering, consider what skills and qualities are most important for someone who wants to work as a game writer.

Example: “I think that the most important aspect of game writing is creating characters that players can relate to. This means making sure they have relatable personalities and believable dialogue. I’ve always enjoyed playing games with interesting characters because it makes me feel like I’m part of the story myself. If I were hired for this position, I would make sure my writing helped create these types of experiences.”

How often do you update your resume?

This question can help interviewers understand how you keep your skills and experience up to date. If you’re applying for a role that requires you to have strong writing skills, it’s important to update your resume regularly with any new projects or publications you’ve worked on.

Example: “I try to update my resume every six months. I find this is the best way to ensure I’m including all of my most recent work and am able to showcase my current skill set. When updating my resume, I make sure to include any relevant information about the job I’m applying for as well as any additional skills I may have learned since my last update.”

There is a typo in one of your game’s dialogue boxes. How do you handle it?

Game writers often have to proofread their work for errors. This question helps the interviewer determine how you handle mistakes and whether you can self-edit your work. Use examples from past experiences where you caught a mistake before it went live or fixed an error after its release.

Example: “I once wrote a game that had a typo in one of the dialogue boxes. I was able to fix it before the game released, but if I hadn’t been able to do so, I would have contacted my supervisor immediately. They would then contact the publisher to get the dialogue box changed. It is important to be thorough when writing because typos can make the game less enjoyable for players.”