Developing Video Game Narratives

SCRIPT X 442.1

Learn to write interactive stories and branching narratives that bring our favorite video games to life.

READ MORE ABOUT THIS COURSE
In Person
Starting at $720.00
As few as 11 weeks
3.0

What you can learn.

  • Learn to plot and executive branching narratives
  • Experiment by writing in different interactive genres and formats
  • Master the fundamental concepts of writing for video games where players have choices that affect outcomes
  • Embrace the vocabulary of interactive fiction and begin building a portfolio of work

About this course:

Writing for games requires an understanding of structure that goes beyond linear storytelling. From the early days of tabletop gaming to more recent hits like Mass Effect and Fallout, writers are expected to hold many possible worlds--with multiple branching story points--in their heads. And to ultimately translate those concepts into actionable materials. In this course, you explore the nature of interactive story by working in multiple different formats (choose your own adventure, virtual novels, the Telltale style, etc.) and writing games that exemplify the fundamental concepts of branching narrative. The course goal is to develop a vocabulary for interactive fiction and to write a game in the format of your choosing that can be used as a calling card for future work.

Spring 2024 Schedule

Date & Time
Details
Format
 
-
Monday 7:00PM - 10:00PM PT
Enrollment Closed
See Details
Instructor: Jonathan Callan
396828
Fee:
$720.00
In Personformat icon
Location: UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
Notes

No meeting May 27.

Enrollment limited to 15 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required.

This course meets in person at the designated class meeting time and location. Students must be present at the course meeting time as each student’s final grade may include scores for participation. 
Please inform your instructor if you will miss a class meeting. You are responsible for any class information you missed. We suggest you arrange with a fellow classmate to share their notes when feasible.

Refund Deadline
No refunds after April 15, 2024
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Discussion
Mon Apr 1, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 210
Discussion
Mon Apr 8, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 210
Discussion
Mon Apr 15, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 210
Discussion
Mon Apr 22, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 210
Discussion
Mon Apr 29, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 210
Discussion
Mon May 6, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 210
Discussion
Mon May 13, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 210
Discussion
Mon May 20, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 210
Discussion
Mon Jun 3, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 210
Discussion
Mon Jun 10, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 210

Summer 2024 Schedule

Date & Time
Details
Format
 
-
Monday 7:00PM - 10:00PM PT
Future Offering (Opens April 29, 2024 12:00:00 AM)
See Details
Instructor: Jonathan Callan
398346
Fee:
$720.00
In Personformat icon
Location: UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
Notes

No meeting September 2.

Enrollment limited to 15 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required.

This course meets in person at the designated class meeting time and location. Students must be present at the course meeting time as each student’s final grade may include scores for participation. 
Please inform your instructor if you will miss a class meeting. You are responsible for any class information you missed. We suggest you arrange with a fellow classmate to share their notes when feasible.

Refund Deadline
No refunds after July 15, 2024
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Discussion
Mon Jul 1, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 210
Discussion
Mon Jul 8, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 210
Discussion
Mon Jul 15, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 210
Discussion
Mon Jul 22, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 210
Discussion
Mon Jul 29, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 210
Discussion
Mon Aug 5, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 210
Discussion
Mon Aug 12, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 210
Discussion
Mon Aug 19, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 210
Discussion
Mon Aug 26, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 210
Discussion
Mon Sep 9, 2024
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 210

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