When starting to work on a game, Anthony and his team usually like to write a short story. This allows them to:

• Set the tone for the game
• Explore the gameplay through a literary lens
• Brainstorm and expand their ideas

The short story they produce is usually below 3 pages, as they want to make sure it's easy to read. Clarity and creativity are crucial.

This document is then shared with the rest of the team and discussed. Sometimes a second draft or an additional short story needs to be written and discussed.

These short stories are the textual equivalent of concept art - in many ways narrative prototypes. We explore, we search, we iterate, and we do it in a form that is far from the final game.

🎓 Session #1 [~2 hours] is an introduction to the workshop, and the art of writing useful short stories. You will learn how to write short stories and sell them to clients, how to rapidly brainstorm and quickly structure narratives, and, crucially, how to receive feedback. Following a live, in-class writing workshop, you will be given materials and suggestions and start preparing your own story for session #2.  

🎓 Session #2 [~ 3 hours] is where the review of your first short story will take place. All the stories will receive feedback, and the class will explore ways to improve them. Each attendee will then be given a vague game concept, a tone, a setting, etc. for a new short story.

🎓 Session #3 [~ 3 hours] is reserved for the review of the second short story. Rules and constraints for text updates will be provided. 

🎓 Session #4 [~ 3 hours] is when the 2nd short story will be finished, and the updated writings reviewed. The workshop will then be concluded.