View source

{{SIG Listbox}}

The '''Game Writers Special Interest Group''' exists to promote game writing and writers as essential to the game development cycle. Given the established might of pens vis &agrave; vis the average sword, as a group of expert writers we are going to ultimately win this battle.

==Overview==
Game writers include those in the video game industry who write dialogue scripts, construct overarching narrative structure, produce documentation and articles, and a myriad of other writing tasks. Sometimes, they are specifically identified as writers, and other times they find themselves picking up writing duties as an addition to their primary jobs. In either case, the craft and process of game writing, and the quality that good game writing brings to game development as a whole, have been undervalued for too long.

===Objectives===
For the big picture, please read the draft of our [[/five-year plan|five-year plan]] (created in Aug 2007). In general, the ''Game Writing SIG'' focuses on:
* Building a community of people who write for and about games.
* Promoting the art and craft of writing to the industry as a whole.
* Fostering better writing in games.
* Educating game developers about writers.
* Educating game writers about game development.
* Identifying and addressing issues of importance to the community.

====Initiatives====
Specific projects and plans we have for achieving our objectives. The most active items are currently:

* [[Game Writers SIG/Initiatives/Writer Internships|Writer Internships]] (New)
* [[Game Writers SIG/Initiatives/Hiring Hall|Hiring Hall]]
* [[Game Writers SIG/Initiatives/Quarterly|SIG Quarterly]]
* [[Game Writers SIG/Initiatives/Library|Library of Scripts and Game Documents]]
* [[Game Writers SIG/Initiatives/Game Journalism|Game Journalism]]
* [[Game Writers SIG/Initiatives/Education Outreach|Education Outreach]]
* [[Game Writers SIG/Initiatives/Frequently Asked Questions|FAQs]]

For a complete listing, see [[Game Writers SIG/Initiatives|initiatives]].

New initiatives were discussed at the 2006 GDC, and can be seen [[Game Writers SIG/Initiatives06|here]].

===Documentation===
* [[Game Writers SIG/Agenda|Agenda]] (for meeting on Thursday, April 30, 2009; 5 pm GMT / 12 noon EST / 11 am CST / 9 am PST)
* [[GWSIG Monthly Meeting Minutes]]
* [[GWSIG Constitution]] ''note:'' discussion notes in the 'discussion' tab
* [[GWSIG Executive Duties]]
* [[GWSIG Report Archives]]
* How to: [[/write a SIG report]], or [[/format meeting minutes]]
* [[GWSIG Conference Planning]]

===History===
The ''Game Writing SIG'' was jump-started in 2002 by Chris Bateman and Raphael van Lierop. They realized there were a lot of writers working in the interactive space of games and wanted to create a community where they could come together. IGDA provided the perfect foundation. A [[mailing list]] was started and members of that list bootstrapped themselves into a functioning SIG with big-picture objectives and specific [[Game Writers SIG/Initiatives|initiatives]]. Membership grew, and in 2005 a [[GWSIG Constitution|constitution]] was formed and monthly [[Game Writers SIG/Committee Meetings|committe meetings]] started. Hilarity ensued.

===Membership===
Our membership includes writers, those who hire and work with writers, and those who want to be writers.

==Organization==
The SIG adopted a formal [[Game Writers SIG/Constitution|constitution]] in 2005. We are organized thusly: 

* An executive panel (3 members)
* A committee (12, including the exec)
* General members (we're happy to have you on board)
* Volunteers (we always need more!)

Volunteers are always welcome. If you're interested in helping out, take a look at the [[Game Writers SIG/Committee list|committe list]] to see who's spearheading the initiative you'd like to be involved in. Drop them an e-mail or post to the general list expressing your interest.

* A [[Game Writers SIG/Membership|list of SIG leadership]] is available.
* A [[/Conference|Notice of Upcoming Conferences]] is also available.

==External links==
* [http://www.igda.org/writing/ International Game Developers Association: Game Writing SIG]

<!-- Categorization -->
[[Category:Special Interest Groups]]
[[Category:Game Writers SIG]]