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