Writing Strategy Guides - Professional Techniques for Video Game Writing - page 130

13
Writing Strategy Guides
Alice Henderson
A good strategy guide can be the ultimate guide to a game, revealing all the best
strategies, treasures, hidden areas, and more, all presented in a glorious full-color
format. The task of the strategy guide writer, then, is to create as complete a guide as
possible, even adding background information and other extras that allow the player
to experience far more than the gamer who does not possess a guide.
13.1 Creating a Solid Foundation Before You Start
During the days or, if you're lucky, weeks you spend writing a strategy guide, the con-
tacts you build at the publishing house and the game company can be your lifeline.
You've gotten the green light to write the guide, and you're likely waiting for the dev
kit and game to arrive. This is the perfect time to build a solid foundation with your
contacts.
Your Editor
Before you begin writing the guide, ask your editor some key questions. Your pub-
lisher may want you to write the guide in a specific in-house code that makes it easier
for the layout people to read. They'll likely give you a printout of code words for
different console buttons, sidebars, hint callouts, and more. Be sure to follow this
code, as it will improve your chances of writing future guides for them.
Askyoureditorexactlywheneachportionoftheguideisdue,iftheyarewanting
youtoturnitinasyougo,orwhenyouhavewrittenhalf,andsoon.
Getting copies of strategy guides to similar games can also prove helpful. It will
show you exactly what the company is looking for, and your editor should be able to
provide you with a stack of them.