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How do you like to approach writing about games? (mstdn.social)

submitted 6 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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How do you like to approach writing about games?

I've noticed there are some folks writing at length here on their experiences playing games, so this felt like a good place to ask. Do you take notes as you play, and/or after each session, then write out full thoughts upon completing a game?

Or are your reflections compiled only after finishing a game, no notes?

I've dabbled with different approaches, and haven't really settled on a consistent process personally.

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[–] CleoTheWizard 6 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I’m one of those people you’re probably referring to. I love writing about games after I finish them so I’ll give you my process. And you can see my approach in action on my posts.

Basically what I do as I play is I do miniature reviews at certain points. These mental pauses act like checkpoints for me and usually happen after each play session. I think about what I enjoyed and what I didn’t and what interesting mechanics there are. I really tear the opening of a game to bits and then reassemble it so that I know what it is I’m playing.

Now I myself don’t typically need to take notes, but I feel like I could and it would help me remember certain details. If you find yourself forgetting early parts of the game, do take notes.

I personally talk about games here because I like the innovation and the actual art that games are apart of. Think about the soul of a game and what that looks like. Think about what the soul of a game like Stardew Valley looks like. Its soul is about connection to characters, self improvement, community. It’s the human emotion or ideal aspects to a game. Then take those soul components and see how they’re attached to levers in the game. Ask yourself how the game gets you to feel the soul ideas as tangible. Then talk about all of that in sectioned out pieces starting with most important ideas.

Hope this helps! Feel free to ask more or send me stuff if you want me to review anything :)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Hey yeah, appreciate the detail in how you go about it! I'm kinda surprised by the responses saying they don't tend to write anything until further in and/or completion, but it's reassuring in a way, as that's been my approach too for some time.

I also dig that you try to engage with the "soul idea" as you call it of games. It resembles what I've read elsewhere of a reviewer trying to evaluate in part on whether a game achieved what it set out to do or not, which I thought was interesting.

[–] CleoTheWizard 2 points 6 months ago

Side note: for anyone interested in taking notes, the steam overlay has a nice button for that. It’s also very helpful for games like Baldurs gate.

I’d recommend taking my advice and doing those pauses though and taking notes. My recommendation for notes when I have taken them is to evaluate the opening 30 minutes or so. Then wait until major stopping points or break points in the story. Or major shifts in your mood toward the game.

Then open up the Steam notes, jot down a thought or two, and keep going.