Ravel Workshop: Writing Interactive Stories with Ink

ABOUT

If you've never made a game before but are bursting with ideas then this one-day workshop is for you. It is focused on core concepts of interactive fiction and user-friendly tools for writers to experiment with.

Sponsored by The National Arts Council, and supported by Free Lives, Nyamakop Studios, Renderheads, Studio Bolland, Clockwork Acorn, and Academy of Digital Arts.

What is Ravel about?

Ravel unpacks the techniques and tools to create successful and compelling Interactive Fiction. Participating writers will explore the theory and be given the skills to craft their own interactive stories. The workshop will be followed by a Game Jam, an event that challenges them to make a game from scratch working with a team of game developers.

What is INK?

Ink is an elegant, easy to learn system for writing dialogue and choices for interactive media. It integrates into most major game engines, letting writers with no technical experience easily integrate into game development teams.

Who can apply?

The workshop is aimed at working writers looking to broaden their skill set and venture into the exciting and growing gaming industry. You don't need to know how to program or code, in fact the workshop specifically looks at how to write for games with only basic computer literacy.

If you want to join but can't afford the full fee then email [email protected] and we can make an arrangement.

What will the workshop cover?

Ravel Workshop will give storytellers the basics to write for games: the theory and the fundamental skills to make text-based games or visual novels that can also serve as prototypes for pitching more ambitious games to publishers and studios. It will cover narrative structure, terminology, and the accessible and professional game development tool Ink.

Who is running the workshop?

Jon Keevy, an award-winning writer of games, plays, and short films. In 2019 Jon's work on the Free Lives computer game, Genital Jousting, was nominated for the IGF’s Narrative Excellence award. Since then he has worked as a scriptwriter, narrative consultant, creative researcher, and copywriter for companies including Free Lives, QCF Design, Clockwork Acorn, The Machine Intelligence Research Institute, and Made by Eden VR.

You can see Jon's portfolio here: https://bit.ly/3TZxRtG

The course will be followed by Ravel Jam, an open game jam on the 2nd to the 11th Feb - an event that challenges participants to make a game from scratch working with a team of game developers.

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