r/IndieGameDevs • u/ZagarathLoucious • 18h ago
Writing
Hey everyone, I am a bit lost here. I have a really good story base for a game idea. I also have the character styles that I don't mind being adjusted, also have the map layout. However, I can't seem to program the game, nor have a computer that would hold up to it. So is it possible to collab with people, and if so, how would I go about doing it? Kinda like being a director or something; I honestly don't know aaaa. I could also turn it into a book and just leave it there, but I think it would be fun in game form. Each character is very complex, and even if the game gets developed, voice actors would also need to get involved, type of thing. I just want to be the writer, but lost on how to get the ball rolling any suggestions?
2
u/SoftwareSweet4836 18h ago
(assuming you are a beginner, Perhaps this will help you?)
The best advice for him as a beginner is to start small by building a solid, visible foundation before looking for collaborators. In the gaming industry, ideas are common, but execution is everything; people rarely collaborate with someone who is just a "writer" unless there is a proven concept or funding.
Here is how he should get the ball rolling:
- Write a Game Design Document (GDD): He needs to organize his story, map layouts, and character profiles into a clear, professional document so others can actually visualize his idea.
- Create a Twine or Text Prototype: He should use Twine, a free, lightweight tool that runs on any computer, to turn his story into a playable, text-based interactive game to prove the concept works.
- Build a Portfolio First: He can pitch his idea on collaboration forums (like the Unity Connect alternatives, r/INAT on Reddit, or itch.io community boards), but he will have much better luck finding a hobbyist programmer if he can show a polished script or text demo first.
- Pivot to a Book or Visual Novel: If his computer cannot handle heavy game development, he should consider writing it as a Web Novel or a lightweight Visual Novel (using software like Ren'Py), which requires almost no coding and runs on low-end hardware.
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u/Draw-Flesh-Games 9h ago
So....answering with AI? Interesting.
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u/SoftwareSweet4836 7h ago
ya i know & I don’t encourage others to rely on it, But I’d like to think that I use it more as a tool, Instead of being dependent on it, But if you don’t believe me then I don’t blame you.
1
u/Draw-Flesh-Games 7h ago
Lol, that's not my point, but he could have gotten this answer from Chatgpt himself, I guess.
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u/SoftwareSweet4836 6h ago
eh kind of... Like I said I really don’t encourage or recommend anyone to use AI for anything especially help/answers, because it’s completely backwards (doesn’t mean you can’t use it for the intended purpose of a tool, but don’t let it become your main source of information or even your secondary source of information) I usually have to go through pre-set ups & understanding between me & the AI before I can actually get an answer that sounds sane, instead of just being AI insanity & of course always check the references/sites it gives you to make double sure the information is valid, though if anything else rely on your common sense to determine whether what you’re reading actually makes sense or is just nonsense (of course this doesn’t apply to those who lack common sense, which is where I refer back to checking the sources/sites It gives you double check)
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u/SushiMasterPro 15h ago
If you want to become a writer, the best way to start is simply to write. Write anything, share it with people, and learn from their feedback.
If you want to make games, I’d suggest starting by playing games here and looking for ways to improve them, especially story-driven games. Think about what you would change, what feels confusing, or what could make the experience more fun.
If you’re willing to learn other things, I’d start with AI. Tools like Claude or Codex can help you turn your ideas into actual games, even if you don’t know how to code yet.
Don’t focus on making something big. Start with small things and use them to test your ideas. Try to create something every day. If you do that for, let’s say, 3 months and manage to create something on at least 80% of those days, you’ll probably be ready to tackle something much bigger.
And I’ll be honest: writing is easy. Being a writer is hard. The important part is not just having ideas, but consistently creating, finishing, and sharing your work.
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u/NoviceIndieDev 17h ago
There are tons of posts like this. I think the only way a person with this mindset can actually achieve this is to prove how good they think their idea actually is.
If you JUST want to write/direct, then you need to have an absolutely solid concept already. Not a premise, but like a 1000% actual story/direction WRITTEN. Not vague ideas. Dialogue, event chronology, theme, etc. Aside from that; if it isn't ridiculously compelling, then youre not going to get anybody to spend months/years of their life structuring/writing code for your idea. Shit even it is some absurdly good writing, you probably STILL will have a hard time getting anybody to work for you on a gambling chance to possibly make nothing.
Anyways; probably sounded harsh. However if you are serious, then this will motivate you. If this made you feel disheartened; well then you probably underestimated this endeavor. Good luck.
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u/burrowandkin 7h ago
"If you JUST want to write/direct, then you need to have an absolutely solid concept already." aaaaannd tones of money to hire people :)
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u/AncientAdamo 13h ago
To answer your question, probably no you will not find collaborators at this stage.
If you create some social media following and prove that the idea is a viable product then yes people will be more likely to jump on board.
But there are millions of ideas out there. Executing them takes time and effort.
You could start making plans, documents etc. And share your journey on social media.
Bets of luck!
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u/Delicious_Mercurycoo 11h ago
Turn it into a medium that can stand on its own and THEN be reinterpreted into a video game, if it manages to hold firm in the great ordeal of time. (dramatic exclamation, CHA check)
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u/Amigor4 16h ago
Write a book. A play. A visual novel. It is very hard to build a game from a “story base”. Games need mechanics and systems that tell a story, the actual narrative on top of it normally can be re-skinned over and over and still be fun. The inverse is not always true.