STEAL THE BATTLE-TESTED STORYTELLING TECHNIQUES I USED ON BIOSHOCK, FAR CRY, AND TOMB RAIDER

Learn AAA Storytelling Using Proven Techniques From My 20+ Years Creating Best-Sellers

Join the workshop with award-winning game writer Susan O'Connor

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP

Most writers (even the most talented) never break into the game industry. Why?

Because they're missing one critical skill... the ability to craft stories players can actually play - not just watch.

In this intensive 3-hour workshop, you'll discover the exact interactive storytelling concepts I used for hit games like BioShock, Far Cry, and Tomb Raider. You’ll uncover the techniques games like Mass Effect, Journey, and Disco Elysium used to create their storytelling masterpieces. You'll learn how to transform any story into an engaging game narrative that adapts to player choices – all without sacrificing your creative vision or getting lost in complex technical details.

Through real-world examples and hands-on exercises, you’ll:

  • Practice the art of designing narratives that adapt to player choices
  • Discover the three core story structures that power 90% of successful game narratives
  • Unlock the secrets of these structures - and what pitfalls to avoid at all costs
  • Practice the art of creating player choices that keep players invested in your story

  • Build your toolbox with the essential tools every game writer needs—from branching dialogue to narrative pacing

You'll finish the workshop with practical techniques you can use right away on your own projects.

Andrew Jenner, Screenwriter

"Susan does a fantastic job of breaking things down and explaining. This is what you need. This is why it’s important, and this is how you do it.

"So then, really, at the end of the day the ball is in your court, which is fantastic for people starting out on their journey to say,
Okay, there, I have no excuse."

THE NARRATIVE DEPARTMENT PRESENTS:

THE WRITER'S GUIDE TO PLAYABLE STORIES: A GAME NARRATIVE WORKSHOP

 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

 

Real-World Frameworks, Not Theory

Learn the exact story structures and dialogue systems used in successful games. No fluff, no theory – just proven techniques you can apply immediately to your own projects.

Hands-On Training From An Expert Game Writer

This isn't a lecture. You'll actively practice each technique and get guidance from an industry veteran who's shipped over 25 AAA titles.

A Complete Toolbox for Professional Game Writing

Walk away with the same templates, frameworks, and systems professional game writers use.

  • Turn traditional stories into interactive experiences that players can shape.
  • Work with three proven approaches to interactive storytelling used in Far Cry 2, Return of the Obra Dinn, and Portal.
  • Write branching dialogue and player-driven narratives that feel dynamic and alive.
  • Blend classic storytelling skills with game-specific techniques to craft unforgettable experiences.
  • Create meaningful player choices—without sacrificing story coherence.
RESERVE YOUR SPOT

Taage Storey, Lead Writer, LILA

"I think what makes Susan so great is that she gives you powerful tools. And then she leaves you to use them…

"It was very tools-oriented and very practical in terms of game writing.
It’s easy to make this work overcomplicated, and she brings it down to earth."

WHAT'S INCLUDED

 

🎯 3 hours of expert-led, hands-on learning
🎯 Breakdowns of real game examples (God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn, The Witcher 3, and more)
🎯 Interactive exercises to help you apply key concepts in real time
🎯 Access to workshop materials after the session

HOUR 1

HOW PLAYERS TRANSFORM STORIES - AND YOUR WORK

 

✅Change your approach to storytelling by discovering how player participation fundamentally changes the narrative 

âś…Put theory into practice immediately through guided exercises and group challenges

âś…Analyze beloved games like Journey and The Witcher 3 to understand how player agency shapes storytelling

âś…Get hands-on experience turning linear stories into interactive narratives through creative group scenarios

âś…Learn alongside fellow writers in a dynamic workshop environment with real-time feedback and discussion

HOUR 2

MAKING STORIES PLAYABLE: THREE ESSENTIAL APPROACHES

 

âś…Explore the three powerful approaches to interactive storytelling - through choices, actions, and discovery

âś…Master practical techniques for writing dialogue that adapts to player choices

âś…Learn efficient methods to create meaningful choices without exponential workload

âś…Get hands-on experience with professional dialogue templates and formatting

âś…See these techniques in action through examples from Portal, Mass Effect, and BioShock

HOUR 3

THE GAME WRITER'S TOOLBOX

 

âś…Use both traditional and game-specific writing tools through hands-on practice

âś…Learn to create choices that impact the story while maintaining narrative coherence

âś…See how top games like God of War and Disco Elysium handle character development and pacing

âś…Discover which game-writing tools YOU want to use on your projects - and why

âś…Practice integrating your writing with gameplay mechanics and environmental storytelling

 Learn, write, reflect

"I loved the balance between learning new concepts, doing quiet 3-minute individual work, and talking with other participants - it was perfect!"

Meet other writers

"It was presented in a very clear way. I really enjoyed talking with other people too, it was very interactive."

Do good work

"The multiple sections where we had to take what was taught and implement it. Made me think a lot more about the concepts and how they're applied in writing."

WHAT YOU'LL WALK AWAY WITH

 
  • The Interactive Story Framework: A complete system for transforming any story into a game narrative
  • Choice Design Toolkit: Proven methods for creating meaningful player decisions
  • Resource Guide: Recommended tools, books, and resources for continued learning
  • Workshop Recording: Full replay access - forever

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR:

SUSAN O'CONNOR

Susan O’Connor is a best-selling, award-winning game writer. An industry veteran who has shipped over 25 games, including the original BioShock and the Far Cry and Tomb Raider franchises, she’s helped shape some of the most engaging narratives in gaming. She is the Founder & CEO of The Narrative Department, an online school dedicated to helping writers fast-track their game-writing careers.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? 

  • Writers who want to break into game narrative.
  • Game developers looking to improve their storytelling skills.
  • Narrative designers who want to expand their toolbox.
  • Anyone fascinated by interactive storytelling. 

WORKSHOP DETAILS 

  • đź“… Date: Sunday, March 2nd

  • ⏰ Time: 2 - 5 pm Central Standard Time (3 hours)

  • đź“Ť Location: Zoom

  • đź’° Investment: $97

 
RESERVE YOUR SPOT

Leia French, Unity Developer & Junior Writer,
Spooky Doorway

"In a world that's just so plagued by hyper-individualism and cutthroat competitiveness, Susan just somehow managed to find the kindest, most engaging, talented range of people from all around the world."

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

Sam Smyth, Narrative Designer, Ascend Learning

"Susan does a really good job of getting incredible people together. Susan immediately establishes an understanding between everybody that, we are all peers and we're going to talk about this stuff in depth. You have conversations in these workshops that you're never going to have anywhere else."