Writing Strategy Guides - Professional Techniques for Video Game Writing - page 137

from the designers is that stats keep changing up to the last minute before game
release. When you create tables and charts with this information, be sure to use the
layout code mentioned earlier to create your appendices.

Appendix Topics
Depending on the type of game, the following categories make good appendices.

• Character stats. List each player character's strengths and weaknesses, ability to

upgrade, and so forth.

• Enemies. Include all enemies encountered, their stats and weaknesses, and

which levels they occur on.

•

Items. All items collected throughout the game, their function, and which
levels they are found on.

• Spells. Describe where the characters learn the spells, their function, and their

cost.

• Miniquests. If the game has miniquests, list where the player acquires them

and what the rewards are.

•

Hidden areas. These places are great fun to find and are one of the main reasons
readers purchase strategy guides. Talk to game designers to be sure you haven't
missed any, and include them on the maps for each level.

• Easter eggs and cheat codes. These little extras are another reason readers buy

strategy guides. However, the game company may be reluctant to share these
with you. This is where a good rapport with the designers comes in very handy.
You can also ask your editor to do some convincing for you.

Including Optional Cool Extras
To add even more depth to the player's gaming experience, you might want to include
some game background. Interviewing a game designer or artist could prove fruitful.
Another cool addition would be a glossary of game terms, especially if there's an alien
language involved.

13.8 Turning In Drafts

Hopefully before you embarked on the project, your editor gave you firm dates for
turning in each section of manuscript. You might be turning in each chapter as you
go or turning in the manuscript when you finish each half. Be prepared for these
dates to change. Strategy guide publishers must release their guide to coincide with
the game's release. If that date changes, you may find your deadline suddenly shorter.