Write and edit copy for games and interactive media projects
Overview
This standard is about writing and editing text-based material for games or interactive media projects. This is about the copy that users will see, as opposed to the underpinning narrative, and could range from short user instructions, hints, prompts or interface messages, to entire web pages. It could involve responding to a detailed brief, sketchy brief, or writing up an original idea for a game or interactive media project.
This standard can apply to games or interactive media. Interactive media can involve any type of interactive media content, products or services including, but not restricted to, websites, applications, or online marketing campaigns.
Games and interactive media projects can be for multi-platform or multi-channel use and can also involve the use of immersive technology which can include, but is not restricted to, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR).
This standard is for anyone who writes or edits copy for games or interactive media projects.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- make sure the content and style of text-based material is in line with project requirements
- write in a style suitable for the target audience, the purpose of the communication and the delivery medium
- maintain a consistent style both within texts and between related texts
- use correct grammar, appropriate punctuation and accurate spelling for the language in which you are writing
- structure text-based content so it is easy to read and navigate
- structure text-based content in an appropriate way for delivery medium(s)
- follow relevant writing conventions, style guides and policies
- produce appropriate captions or descriptions to accompany any assets used
- maintain control of the direction and quality of text-based content
- seek advice from appropriate people about accuracy, legality, usability and fitness for purpose of text
- provide clear, consistent and accessible wording for any hyperlinks, and clearly specify link targets
- specify appropriate metadata when required
- proof-read your copy to check for spelling, grammatical, typographic or other errors
- check that facts and figures quoted are accurate
- comply with relevant legislation concerning text content
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- how to clarify the purpose of the text and its target audience
- the principles of grammar, punctuation and spelling for the language in which you are writing and tools and methods for checking them
- different styles of writing and how these impact on different audiences
- the impact of diversity, inclusivity, accessibility, ethics, emotional intelligence and behavioural psychology on projects and how to create text that is appropriate for and easily accessible by its target audience
- the effect of real-time animation on copy requirements
- issues that can arise from localisation and internationalisation of content on the different cultures involved
- relevant constraints, possibilities and opportunities offered by the target medium or platform for communicating with text
- how to check the reliability and currency of information sources
- when and from whom, to seek advice on the accuracy, legality, usability and fitness for purpose of text
- the relevance of metadata, and any metadata schema or classification system that you should apply to the material you produce including keywords and descriptions
- how to write text that takes account of search-engine optimisation techniques while remaining attractive and readable for humans
- how to write text for a non-linear medium.
- any relevant conventions, tone of voice, style guides or policies that you need to follow
- relevant legislation concerning intellectual property, copyright, libel, and obscenity
- usability issues and relevant accessibility standards and guidelines
- any constraints or considerations arising from use of an on-line content management system or content database