| So you play video games and maybe you are | | | | even an anonymous person that you find on a |
| pretty good at them. Maybe you have thought | | | | forum or website. The important thing is that you |
| about making video games but the task seems a | | | | have the person actually try to use the guide |
| bit daunting. If you have some ability to write and | | | | without you giving them any hints or tips. This |
| keep a lot of information organized you might | | | | person will give you feedback and tips about |
| want to try writing your own game guide. Here | | | | sections that were hard to understand or that |
| are some tips to help you write terrific video | | | | didn't seem to make sense. Consider any |
| game guides. | | | | feedback to be the most important part of the |
| If you are interested in the pursuit of making | | | | process. It is easy for you to go through your |
| video games but don't know where to start | | | | guide -after all you did write it. But another person |
| writing a game players guide is a good first option. | | | | going through it doesn't have the same |
| It will give you a good understanding of the | | | | understanding as you do. So get some feedback |
| playability of games and how they are structured. | | | | and make any changes that would clarify things |
| You don't have to be a great writer to create a | | | | for other players. An important thing to think |
| great guide but you do have to know some basic | | | | about here is that if you have to explain anything |
| rules. It will also give you some great insight and | | | | at all to the test user of your guide then |
| experience toward making your own games in | | | | something needs to be fixed in the guide. It should |
| the future. | | | | be completely stand alone and understandable |
| | | | without you explaining anything. You won't be able |
| Decide which type of game guide you are going | | | | to explain things to all your readers right? If your |
| to write | | | | test reader has questions you should write them |
| There are many different types of guides and | | | | down and incorporate your answers into the |
| the first thing you need to decide is which type | | | | written version of the guide. |
| you are going to write. There are four different | | | | |
| types and the first type is the walk-thru. This is | | | | Some Final Tips |
| the most common type where you guide the | | | | You should always write spoiler alerts at the |
| player through a series of steps in the game. This | | | | beginning of your guide or at different |
| could be a complete guide or just a guide to a | | | | sub-sections. Let the reader know that you are |
| certain portion or quest. The second type is the | | | | going to solve very specific problems and tasks in |
| character guide, which explains many of the | | | | the game. Some people like the problems to be |
| different skills, options, and abilities of a specific | | | | solved for them but many players like the |
| character type. The third type is the beginner's | | | | challenge of figuring certain things out for |
| guide, which helps beginners get familiar with a | | | | themselves. By writing spoiler alerts you give your |
| game, how it works, and how the interface | | | | reader the option and the control over how he or |
| operates. The fourth type is a performance guide, | | | | she plays the game. |
| which helps players achieve certain levels and | | | | If you are attempting your first game guide you |
| goals within a game. | | | | should consider doing a small one. Take on the |
| Once you have decided which type of guide you | | | | challenge of only a small portion of the game or |
| are going to write you need to embark on the | | | | only a certain task or quest. This will help you build |
| most important step of the process -you need to | | | | some writing skills and will help you avoid the |
| start a notebook and take notes. You might have | | | | discouragement of not finishing the guide. Writing |
| a great understanding of the game but your | | | | a large guide can be a daunting task and it can be |
| reader doesn't; and when writing your guide you | | | | easy for you to give up on it. Start with a small |
| may leave out small details that are simple for | | | | guide and complete it so you get the satisfaction |
| you but are not known by your audience. Take a | | | | of having the project done. |
| lot of detailed notes and never make assumptions | | | | Chances are that you are very passionate about |
| as to what the reader of your guide knows. If | | | | a particular video game and you have a lot of |
| your guide is going to be long and complex you | | | | knowledge about it. You probably enjoy playing |
| may want to use flow charting techniques to help | | | | the game a lot and by writing a players guide you |
| you understand the choices and decisions that are | | | | can show off your expertise and get even more |
| made in the game. Flow charting is a great way | | | | enjoyment by helping other people play the game. |
| to manage complex tasks with lots of decisions. | | | | You don't have to be a great writer to put |
| | | | together a great guide but you do need to follow |
| Get a second opinion | | | | some simple rules: keep the information organized, |
| Another critical thing you should do when writing a | | | | communicate clearly to your audience and get |
| guide is to get an impartial opinion from | | | | somebody to test your guide then pay careful |
| somebody else. This can be a friend, colleague, or | | | | attention to any feedback you are given. |