The Australian Writers’ Guild and Screenwest are pleased to bring the Narrative Design Writing for Games Workshop to Western Australia. The in-person Perth workshop with Narrative Designer and Facilitator, Alexander Swords, aims to develop practical skills in creating industry-ready narrative content in a collaborative way.

Alexander Swords is a writer and narrative designer working across emotional games, games for change, the adaptation and evolution of stories moving to new mediums and advocating for the power of interactive narrative and the need for diverse future storytellers.

Alexander created the Forest Paths Method for Narrative Design. It is an accessible and collaborative approach to writing and narrative design for interactive and non-interactive story. It is now used internationally to develop, research and educate in games and screenwriting.

During this one-day workshop, Alexander will take the participants through three modules:

• Understanding the Player’s Perspective;
• Designing Valuable Choices;
• The Forest Paths Method for Narrative Design.

Please note that no experience with a game engine or coding is required. Tools used are Miro and Twine and no prior experience is required. Those who have previously purchased the book Forest Paths Method for Narrative Design will benefit from the practical exercises that will provide more specific context and examples, as well as the potential network a workshop provides.

Previous workshop participants said they learnt:

• “How to format an interactive game narrative for users and how to make valuable choices.”
• “Key tenets of how to write narrative for games, a solid process for approaching story design.”
• “The nature of storytelling in games, how to define and distinguish different styles of choices, how to begin developing my own game concept and how to use different online platforms to help format my game story structure. It was a wonderful workshop.”

Session Details

When: Sunday, 24 September 2023  |  10:00am – 4:00pm
Where: Perth, WA (venue to be advised)

How to apply

Applications can be made through Screenwest’s SmartyGrants portal. You will need to provide:

• Expression of Interest (EOI) – 500 words maximum. Your EOI should address why you want to attend the workshop, identifying the professional outcomes you wish to achieve.
• One page bio – 500 words maximum
• CV – 2 pages maximum

Screenwest will support up to 20 applicants, selected from both games and scripted backgrounds.

Applications will be assessed based on the strength of the EOI, suitability to the workshop and identified outcomes to be achieved.

Successful applicants will have the cost of their workshop registration fee paid for by Screenwest.

Applications close 5:00pm AWST, Thursday 14 September 2023

About Alexander Swords

Alexander Swords has 20 years of experience working with stories, creators and their audiences. He’s currently wielding this experience as a writer and narrative designer on Totem Teller and Anytown: Garage Sale Monsters, and is the creator of the Forest Paths Method for Narrative Design. Prior to this, he worked for independent game developers in Berlin, AAA in Sweden and has worked as an independent artist, arts manager and audience development expert. Advising government, arts organisations and educators, he’s an advocate for diverse stories and their writers, understanding the transformational power of story and helping creators explore the narrative potential of any medium.

Program Contact

Enquiries can be directed to: admin@awg.com.au