Courses :: Module, RPG WRITING

	Overview
	This module begins with a deep exploration into the fundamentals of role-playing game (RPG) writing, and participants will learn how to analyse the structural elements of storytelling within the context of tabletop RPGs, drawing on traditional narrative theory. Participants will learn to recognize and respect diversity in RPG narratives and apply ethical considerations in the depiction of sensitive topics. They will explore ways to incorporate narratives into RPG design and understand how game mechanics and scenarios serve narrative goals. All of these skills will help participants master the construction of dynamic narratives that respond to player actions. Participants will also focus on gaining technical and professional writing savvy, with instruction focused on crafting clear, concise, and accessible RPG documentation such as game rulebooks, campaign guides, and player aids. Collaboration will also be a point of emphasis in the micro-credential, and participants will learn how to work effectively within a team to achieve shared narrative and design goals and present their ideas to various stakeholders. This module will consist of a series of intensive workshops and activities over the course of a week where participants work together with peers, instructors, and industry professionals to develop and finalise a portfolio demonstrating proficiency in writing for Tabletop Role-Playing Games.

Overview

This module begins with a deep exploration into the fundamentals of role-playing game (RPG) writing, and participants will learn how to analyse the structural elements of storytelling within the context of tabletop RPGs, drawing on traditional narrative theory. Participants will learn to recognize and respect diversity in RPG narratives and apply ethical considerations in the depiction of sensitive topics. They will explore ways to incorporate narratives into RPG design and understand how game mechanics and scenarios serve narrative goals. All of these skills will help participants master the construction of dynamic narratives that respond to player actions.

Participants will also focus on gaining technical and professional writing savvy, with instruction focused on crafting clear, concise, and accessible RPG documentation such as game rulebooks, campaign guides, and player aids. Collaboration will also be a point of emphasis in the micro-credential, and participants will learn how to work effectively within a team to achieve shared narrative and design goals and present their ideas to various stakeholders.

This module will consist of a series of intensive workshops and activities over the course of a week where participants work together with peers, instructors, and industry professionals to develop and finalise a portfolio demonstrating proficiency in writing for Tabletop Role-Playing Games.

	Learning Outcomes
	On successful completion of the module, students should be able to: Operate at the forefront of the RPG industry and gain mastery of emerging techniques and trends in tabletop RPG design: Incorporating innovative storytelling and narrative design techniques; Analyse the structural elements of storytelling within the context of tabletop RPGs; Apply traditional narrative theory to the interactive medium of tabletop RPGs. Understand and Apply Technical Writing Skills: Demonstrate the capacity for independent content creation while producing RPG materials, such as rulebooks, campaign guides, and player aids, with clarity and conciseness; Understand the importance of style, voice, and tone in technical writing and how to adapt to various project needs and audiences; Learning to self-evaluate writing deliverables in response to unpredictable and often-shifting professional requirements Collaborate and Communicate Effectively: Initiate and lead collaborative activities that foster creative brainstorming and idea generation among team members; Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively in a team to achieve shared narrative and design goals; Present narrative and design ideas effectively to a team, stakeholders, and wider audiences; Use project management tools to organize and track narrative and design tasks. Practice Ethical Storytelling: Recognize and respect cultural, racial, gender, and other diversity in RPG narratives; Apply ethical considerations in the depiction of sensitive or controversial topics; Consider the impact of narratives on the player and wider society. Implement Narrative into RPG Design: Incorporate narrative elements into RPG design using various game development techniques; Understand how game mechanics, systems, and scenarios can serve narrative goals; Manage the pacing, tension, and resolution of RPG narratives to achieve desired player experiences. Craft Interactive Narratives for RPGs: Design branching narratives and dialogue possibilities in a manner that serves gameplay and player agency; Construct compelling player-driven narratives that adapt to player choices and actions Master World-building for RPGs: Construct immersive and consistent game worlds, encompassing factors such as history, geography, culture, and magic or technology systems; Understand and apply the concept of 'show, don't tell' within the context of world-building; Balance the needs for depth and detail with player accessibility and engagement; Design dynamic worlds that evolve and react to player actions through the use of specialized research workflows using industry and open-source

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students should be able to:

Operate at the forefront of the RPG industry and gain mastery of emerging techniques and trends in tabletop RPG design: Incorporating innovative storytelling and narrative design techniques; Analyse the structural elements of storytelling within the context of tabletop RPGs; Apply traditional narrative theory to the interactive medium of tabletop RPGs.
Understand and Apply Technical Writing Skills: Demonstrate the capacity for independent content creation while producing RPG materials, such as rulebooks, campaign guides, and player aids, with clarity and conciseness; Understand the importance of style, voice, and tone in technical writing and how to adapt to various project needs and audiences; Learning to self-evaluate writing deliverables in response to unpredictable and often-shifting professional requirements
Collaborate and Communicate Effectively: Initiate and lead collaborative activities that foster creative brainstorming and idea generation among team members; Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively in a team to achieve shared narrative and design goals; Present narrative and design ideas effectively to a team, stakeholders, and wider audiences; Use project management tools to organize and track narrative and design tasks.
Practice Ethical Storytelling: Recognize and respect cultural, racial, gender, and other diversity in RPG narratives; Apply ethical considerations in the depiction of sensitive or controversial topics; Consider the impact of narratives on the player and wider society.
Implement Narrative into RPG Design: Incorporate narrative elements into RPG design using various game development techniques; Understand how game mechanics, systems, and scenarios can serve narrative goals; Manage the pacing, tension, and resolution of RPG narratives to achieve desired player experiences.
Craft Interactive Narratives for RPGs: Design branching narratives and dialogue possibilities in a manner that serves gameplay and player agency; Construct compelling player-driven narratives that adapt to player choices and actions
Master World-building for RPGs: Construct immersive and consistent game worlds, encompassing factors such as history, geography, culture, and magic or technology systems; Understand and apply the concept of 'show, don't tell' within the context of world-building; Balance the needs for depth and detail with player accessibility and engagement; Design dynamic worlds that evolve and react to player actions through the use of specialized research workflows using industry and open-source

	Timetable
	This timetable is not currently available, please contact the English Department.

Timetable

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RPG WRITING