Rhianna Pratchett feels gaming plots have become more important, but need less testosterone

Overlord and Mirror’s Edge writer Rhianna Pratchett has told That VideoGame Blog that development studios are starting to take the plot of the games more seriously than in the past.

“Writers and narrative designers are still relatively new positions on development teams.” she said. “This means there’s still a level of uncertainty about how best to use and integrate them. I know from talking to lots of fine people in my field that the writing process can often be done too late, without proper access to the team and under extreme pressure.

"Thankfully, things are starting to get a little better and more writers are being contacted in the first few months of a project’s lifespan, rather than the last few months … A little more variation in concept and content would be nice, as well, which is something writers and narrative designers can help with.”

She does, however feel that the "tuff-guy" syndrome is alive and well in the industry when it comes to gaming plots, and it needs to dump this sort of Hollywood mentality.

"A little more variation in concept and content would be nice, as well, which is something writers and narrative designers can help with," she added. "Although they have their place and god knows I’ve enjoyed them on occasion, I could do with a little less ‘Gruff guy with super powers/large weapon kicks assss!’ tales.

"The medium has huge potential, so I’m not sure why there’s this constant desire to keep rooting around in Hollywood’s action-movie scrapheap.”

Via D'toid.