As I’ve aged, I’ve grown to become fonder and fonder of games that aren’t only fun to play, but are able to tell good stories. That’s harder to pull off than you might imagine – and it all comes down to great writing. The number of games released in the last 12 months that feature genuinely good writing are less numerous than you’d imagine.
It’s easier and more budget-conscious to get a staffer with an interest in literature or drama to knock up something resembling a script than it is to hire people able who’re able to construct worthwhile stories.
Those who do manage are sometime given accolades for such by the Writer’s Guild of America. Here are this year’s nominees for best writing in games.
- Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, Story by Marc-Alexis Cote, Hugo Giard, Corey May, Jeffrey Yohalem; Narrative Director Corey May; Lead Writer Jeffrey Yohalem; Assistant Narrative Director Melissa MacCoubrey; Scriptwriters Russell Lees, Mark Llabres Hill, James Nadiger, Jared Schincariol, Travis Stout, Ceri Young; Additional Writing Judith Flanders, C.J. Kershner, Gabrielle Shrager, Danny Wallace; Additional Senior Writer Paul Monk; Ubisoft
- Pillars of Eternity, Lead Writer Eric Fenstermaker; Writers Carrie Patel, Olivia Veras; Additional Writing Chris Avellone, Jeff Husges, Matt MacLean, Jorge Salgado, Josh Sawyer, George Ziets; Obsidian Entertainment
- Rise of the Tomb Raider, Lead Narrative Designer John Stafford; Narrative Designer Cameron Suey; Lead Writer Rhianna Pratchett; Additional Writer Philip Gelatt; Microsoft
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Lead Writer Marcin Blacha; Lead English Writer Borys Pugacz-Muraszkiewicz; Writers Arkadiusz Borowik, Aleksandra Motyka, Bartosz Ochman, Karolina Stachyra, Jakub Szamalek; Additional Writers Marcin Batylda, Michal Galek, Tomasz Marchewka, Robert Oglodzinski, Rafal Praszalek, Artur Sliwinski, Stanislaw Swiecicki, Pawel Zych; Story Marcin Blacha, Jakub Szamalek; CD Projekt
If you’re wondering why your favourite game is conspicuously absent, it’s because nominations are limited to games released between December 1, 2014 and November 30, 2015. Further to that, said games must feature on-screen writing credits by writers who were members, or who had applied to become members, of the WGA when the scripts were submitted.
Yes, scripts need to be submitted, so those that aren’t are excluded from nomination. What game from the last year did you think had the best writing?
Last Updated: January 12, 2016
Gareth L (That eXCheez Guy)
January 12, 2016 at 14:05
*proudly waves the Pillars of Eternity flag*
Loftus
January 12, 2016 at 14:06
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
RinceThis
January 12, 2016 at 14:07
Witcher 3 baby!
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 12, 2016 at 14:15
The expansion makes a David Attenborough joke. Priceless.
RinceThis
January 12, 2016 at 14:15
Really? Awesome!
Jan Prins
January 12, 2016 at 15:07
I thought Witchers were sterile…
RinceThis
January 12, 2016 at 14:07
The new Tetris isn’t here? Was it blocked? Snigger
Loftus
January 12, 2016 at 14:10
I was going to make point that BloodBorne should feel gutted about not being on the list, but after 2 play through i still have no clue as to why i am doing what i am doing,
RinceThis
January 12, 2016 at 14:10
Yup. I spent a few hours playing it and got bored.
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 12, 2016 at 14:11
…
RinceThis
January 12, 2016 at 14:17
Just because you don’t get it!
VampyreSquirrel
January 12, 2016 at 14:30
Nah, I think he gets it… but didn’t feel that it deserved a facepalm
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 12, 2016 at 14:08
Well seeing as I’ve only played W3 I can’t say. But damn that game had very, very good writing.
Loftus
January 12, 2016 at 14:18
I can say with ease that one of these writers had the best author in the world as a father!
Jan Prins
January 12, 2016 at 15:22
The best author this world have seen or will ever see in my not so humble opinion.
Loftus
January 13, 2016 at 08:01
I think we have the same not so humble opinion in this regard! 🙂
Jan Prins
January 13, 2016 at 08:03
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/dec/27/terry-pratchett-remembered-by-rhianna-pratchett-daughter-obituary-2015?CMP=twt_gu
BakedBagel
January 12, 2016 at 14:38
If TW3 doesnt win, im going to be VERY sad.
Gareth L (That eXCheez Guy)
January 12, 2016 at 14:46
You’ve played all four?
BakedBagel
January 12, 2016 at 15:15
Yes, Yes ive played all 4.
Jan Prins
January 12, 2016 at 15:09
The Sims! Best story Ever!
konfab
January 12, 2016 at 16:41
Tresspasser DLC for Dragon Age:Inquisition
And yes DLCs are allowed since TLOU:LB won it in 2014
Ryanza
January 12, 2016 at 18:52
Now that The Witcher 3 is out. I don’t have to say Witcher 3 all the time. Now everyone is saying it. And if you not saying it, go back to playing Call of Duty.
Ryanza
January 12, 2016 at 18:56
If The Witcher 3 was not released last year then Pillars would have won the awards for story, rpg, ect.
So I feel bad for Pillars of Eternity, blast from the past, proving old school is still good school. Just that the Witcher 3 come and made every other game it’s bitch in 2015. and Cyberpunk 2077 will make every game it’s bitch in 2016.
Don’t Support DRM. Cyberpunk 2077 is coming.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
January 12, 2016 at 19:36
Yay! No undertale!!!
Werner Ackermann
January 12, 2016 at 20:18
After starting off with the pretty bland storyline of Fall Out 4, I was expecting the Witcher to be similar but with swords.
Man was I wrong. I was blown away through the entire start of the game and amazed by all the detail in side quests.
Really Really impressed by it! Never played the previous ones, and I suspect I missed a gem there.