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