Hot Buzz for Slay the Dragon!
"Slay The Dragon’s goal is to teach you how to go about marrying fun, thrilling, and immersive gameplay with rich characters and stories that drive the player forward."
"It’s optimistic, readable, fun, inclusive about a wide range of game styles..."
Emily Short, games and IF writer, Emily Short's Interactive Storytelling
“No matter if you're an expert or completely clueless, Slay The Dragon has both practical and original advice on narrative writing for video games that treats the world of gaming for what it is: an emerging art form. Funny, thoughtful, informative - and most of all, entertaining - this is a must read for anyone creative in the gaming industry, anyone hoping to one day work in the gaming industry, or anyone who just straight up loves video games.”
Aaron Bleyaert, producer, “Clueless Gamer with Conan O’Brien” on TBS’ Conan
“A comprehensive but accessible guide for those striving to relate to the medium of video games from another entertainment medium. If you’re a writer from film or TV and want to understand more about games, this book should help you get you comfortable quickly."
Dan Boutros, Executive Producer, The Walking Dead Assault; co-founder, Soul Arcade
"I've run an independent game studio for over 30 years. What we really do is tell stories. That applies to games, educational software and even restaurant apps. This timely book is a great introduction to the new, highly dynamic field of interactive storytelling and to what everyone needs to succeed in modern software development."
William C. Fisher, President, Quicksilver Software, Inc.
"As a gamer and a game designer, I'm always drawn to story first. It's the story of a game that inspires players to push through a section of slow gameplay, repetitive mechanics, or the slog of the grind. This book is a well-needed tool in a role that's regularly overlooked or thought of as an afterthought. In games, the player may be king, but if that's true, then story is a prince. And this book will make sure your prince will make it to the castle to slay the dragon!"
Tim Lang, Lead Designer, Might and Magic IX; owner, Brrapp Games
"A great read for any storyteller, whether you’re new to writing or just new to video games."
Gretchen McNeil, author of Ten and the “Don't Get Mad” novels
“More than ever, game developers are realizing the power of narrative, whether immersing players in a virtual world through theme and story or by creating game characters who are engaging for players to aid or defeat. Having worked in both the realms of linear and interactive entertainment Robert Denton Bryant and Keith Giglio provide screenwriters with the techniques and insight they need to effectively cross over to a brave new world where players must become their writing companions.”
David Mullich, Development Director, Heroes of Might & Magic III, I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream
“Bryant and Giglio, thanks to their crossover film/game experience, have captured the Holy Grail of game-making: how to apply compelling narrative techniques to any game genre in order to create the most memorable player experiences possible.”
Mark Netter, Film Director, Nightmare Code;'Games Producer, Tetris, The Last Express
"As game developers, my teams are always working to get the balance between story and gameplay just right. Slay the Dragon is a very clear, concise, and humorous guide that every developer--or game writer--should read."
Jay Obernolte, President, FarSight Studios
“If you ever wanted to know what narrative design was about but were too afraid to ask, this book is for you. If you did ask but never received a clear answer, this book is for you too. If you are considering pursuing a writing career in games, this book is DEFINITELY for you.”
Dorian Richard, lead writer and narrative designer
“The video game business is huge, and great game writers are increasingly in demand as games become more story driven and emotionally compelling. But the world of game writing puts its own esoteric demands on all who enter it, and even highly skilled screenwriters can face a steep learning curve. Robert Denton Bryant and Keith Giglio have written a wonderfully thorough and well thought out guide to this world. This is essential reading for all who wish to enter it.”
John Schimmel, Producer and Head of Linear Content, Cloud Imperium Games, former Warner Bros. Studio Executive, Producer “Outlander”
“Slay the Dragon takes a comprehensive look at a subject that is mostly misunderstood by many writers. Writing for video games is much different than writing for other media and it is high time that someone made the effort to show us the differences and help us understand intricacies of writing for interactive entertainment. If you want to learn how to write for games then read this book and learn.”
Les Pardew, veteran game developer, author of Game Design for Teens and Beginning Illustration and Storyboarding for Games
“We’re living in a transitional period, where storytelling has never had so many mediums – and has never been better. It’s a difficult landscape for a creator to navigate, but fortunately Robert Denton Bryant and Keith Giglio have created a wonderful map to help find your way out of your vault, through the wastelands and into paradise. Slay the Dragon is the Konami Code for writers!”
Keith Tralins, founder of MegaGigaOmniCorp, Inc., Producer and Game Designer of Lost, Twilight, The Walking Dead and Take It All
"I've voiced-acted in over 200 games, and I've never found a book that details the importance of great characters to good dialogue as much as Slay the Dragon!"
Karen Strassman, actor, HBO's "Silicon Valley," Mortal Kombat X, StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm
“If you are developing games without Slay the Dragon! on your bookshelf, you've only got five bullets in your six-shooter. Every aspect of an interactive world is touched by story--no one should make creative decisions without this indispensable tool.”
St.John Colón, Art Director, Developer, Professor of Video Games
“We as humans love a good story. Whether it's a scary folktale or an epic saga we enjoy getting absorbed into the world that exists in our minds as we travel with the main characters. Video games are indeed stories, but unlike books or movies, the player of the game is part of the adventure. This makes this form of storytelling unique. Authors and heavy duty gamers Robert Denton Bryant and Keith Giglio have joined forces to pen the ultimate book on how to write a killer video game. If you have ever dreamed of creating a video game but didn't know where to begin you have the perfect tool in your hand right now! Step to the front register immediately and buy it. This book contains all the information and advice you need to bring into existence the story that is in your mind. The time to slay your dragon is now!”
Forris Day Jr., Reviewer at scaredstiffreviews.com, voice actor and Pac-Man fan
“Interactive narrative is a story-telling medium like no other. It’s an undiscovered country and it’s ripe to be explored. Bob and Keith have a deep understanding of the current state of video game narrative. If you’re interested in learning how to write for games or if you’re a developer burning to create games with better stories, I can’t think of a better place to start."
Haris Orkin, game writer and narrative designer for Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3, Dying Light, Company of Heroes 2, and Call of Juarez: Gunslinger
"Slay the Dragon! is just the book that writers who love video games have been waiting for. Bryant and Giglio make a solid case for gaming as a unique storytelling platform, but they don't stop there. The book is full of real-world tips on how to bring your storytelling skills to the exciting and interactive world of video games. This is the best book of its kind."
Tom Farr, writer at thewhisperproject.blogspot.com
"What Slay the Dragon! does best is get to the point. Each chapter is akin to having a brief conversation with the authors, who frame a topic, boil down their advice on telling good stories to one sentence, and then elaborate. Exercises allow readers to develop their understanding. Readers be warned--once you have taken the Red Pill of Truth for crafting tales, you will not look at media the same way again."
Scott Nicholson, professor of game design, Wilfrid Laurier University; designer of Going, Going, Gone and Tulipmania 1637.
“Do you love games with engaging stories? Maybe you want to make those games. Maybe you think we've only scratched the surface of what game stories can be. Slay the Dragon! is an incredibly readable and informative exploration of the unique challenges and strengths posed by telling stories in interactive media. Get this. Read it. Do the exercises, even. Totally worth it.”
Karen McMullan, Content Designer at Ensemble Studios (Age of Empires franchise), Game Design Instructor
“As the creator and teacher of the S.I. Newhouse school's Virtual Reality Storytelling class, I can't recommend this book enough. Slay the Dragon! is not just about how to write for games, but rather how to allow any story--whether fictional or real--to be interactively discovered by the experiencer as opposed to being passively received. The ability to do this well will be critically important in every communications field as virtual and augmented reality redefine how humans relate to information over the next decade.”
Dan Pacheco. Peter A. Horvitz Chair of Journalism Innovation at the S.I. Newhouse School at Syracuse University
"Game development is so fast paced that rarely do game developers really sit back, analyze what they do, and succinctly transform their day-to-day experiences into organized pedagogical knowledge. Slay the Dragon! is brimming with real-world experience. It had me nodding my head immediately. Dragon distills the lessons learned from the long, messy process of game development into concentrated form, guiding the reader to the intellectual tools needed to craft successful interactive narrative."
Darold Higa Ph.D., producer, Wargaming.net
“Game writers are everywhere. Slay the Dragon! helps those who pursue it at any place around the world, be it in the US, Sweden, or anywhere else. It speaks to a global audience, and deserves to be read by everyone who are serious about game writing.”
Martin Hagvall, Lecturer in Media Arts, Aesthetics and Narration, University of Skövde (Sweden Game Arena)
"Slay the Dragon! immerses its readers in the world of video game writing--with screenwriter/producer Keith Giglio and veteran game designer Robert Denton Bryant as their expert and entertaining guides. Comprehensive, up-to-the-minute, and loaded with great “beta tested” exercises that really work, this book is a must-have for aspiring game writers and fans alike!"
Linda Venis, Ph.D., Director, Department of the Arts and The Writers' Program at UCLA Extension
“Slay the Dragon! is an essential read for anyone interested in writing for video games or expanding their view of the entertainment industry. It takes a multifaceted issue and breaks it down in a meaningful, comprehensive and entertaining way while providing practical, hands on advice for video game writing. Gaming novices and experts alike will benefit from adding this book to their library.”
Sue Johnson, Producer, Emmy-award winning Web series, "What If...", Scriptwriter, Video Game Consultant, former Head of Development, ABC Daytime Television
"Whether you're an aspiring writer, seasoned artist, emerging programmer, or veteran marketer, Slay the Dragon! is a level-up for any discipline in video game development. Gaming is an ever-evolving, interactive silver screen, and it's your job to tell a story from 'Press Start to Begin' to 'Final Boss Incoming.'"
Dan Mitre, Community Manager, (EA, SEGA, THQ, Vivendi Games, Sierra Online)
“Slay the Dragon! bridges the gap between traditional narrative and non-linear storytelling and makes it simple. A required tool in the working writer's toolbox.”
Philip Eisner, screenwriter, Event Horizon, consulting writer for Telltale Games' Tales from the Borderlands
“A veritable treasure trove of information. A compelling look at the development and evolution of interactive narrative. Whether you're an expert or a novice, a writer or designer, Slay the Dragon! is an invaluable tool for anyone who loves games!”
Drew Karpyshyn, lead writer, Mass Effect, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, author, The Chaos Born trilogy
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