A 4 week game writing class focused entirely on crafting the most meaningful unit of any narrative game, demo, or portfolio sample: the scene.
Led by: Dr. Greg Buchanan, game writer for BAFTA-winning titles, TTRPG writer, and bestselling novelist (incl. No Man's Sky, Metro Exodus, The Dark Pictures, Dark Souls: Eyes of Death, Sixteen Horses, and more).
WHY FOCUS INTENSELY ON SCENES:
Build confidence in a supportive environment while mastering the foundational skills of interactive narrative. You'll learn to craft engaging player choices, compelling dialogue, and meaningful consequences within a structured framework.
Sharpen your control over narrative dynamics, experiment with different scene types, and generate fresh ideas through improvisational group work – freed from the constraints of larger projects to focus on craft excellence in a low-pressure environment.
COURSE STRUCTURE:
- Control pacing and tension effectively within a single scene
- Design meaningful choices with immediate, impactful consequences
- Write sharp, interactive dialogue that reveals character and drives action
- Structure scenes for maximum player engagement
- Rapidly prototype and iterate on scene ideas through focused exercises
- £375 GBP + VAT
- Discount available for previous Writing Interactive students
- Graduation Status (Game Lab 101), including a LinkedIn-integrated certificate
- An in-depth feedback report for improving your final project and developing future directions
- Sundays 6-9PM (UK Time)
- April 27 // May: 4, 11, 18
Weekly 3-hour live interactive workshops – not pre-recorded lectures. All sessions are live and discussion-based.
Our approach combines elements of writers' rooms, game jams, and improv methodology to create a dynamic, collaborative learning experience.
- Free premium access to the Substack archive for one year
- Access to the private 101 Discord channel and role in the Writing Interactive community
- If accepted to join the larger 12 week+ Interactive Narrative MFA-style workshop, you will be eligible for a 10% discount.
Towards the end, you will independently craft your own scene: a fully playable, five-minute game using a custom tool created for this course — no code required. Perfect as a standalone creative project, portfolio piece, demo, and/or the start of a larger game.