Wouldn’t it be awesome to just plug ourselves into the wall and write nonstop for 24 hours a day 7 days a week?  First of all, NO because that’s crazy and secondly, I’m glad we don’t run on batteries because I’m happy to run on tacos.

But when you’re not writing, there are other creative outlets that inspire you to brainstorm and get back to writing.

For you, that creative outlet might be Monopoly (you monster), or maybe it’s reading (you nerd, I like you) or maybe you’re like me and you like to play video games.

Now, some look down on video games like they’re nothing more than brain-dead, button-mashing, obesity-inducing competency traps that suck the potential out of all teens.

But those peeps would be wrong. DEAD wrong. Why?

A) Because these peeps swear every video game out there is either Call of Duty or Fort Nite.

B) And because these peeps don’t understand that video games have advanced so far in the last couple of years, that writers like you and I have much to learn from their storytelling techniques. 

Maybe you’re one of those peeps who still feels turned off by the very word “video games” and are ready to write this article off as a joke. But again, you’d be wrong to do that. 

Brian McDonald, author of Invisible Ink, a sought-after instructor and storytelling consultant, has instructed video game companies, like Sony Interactive Entertainment, to build strong storylines into games:

Brian shared his priceless insights with a team determined to create, not a brainless button-masher, but a truly immersive game with solid story structure. Clearly, the goal of video game companies like Sony Interactive Entertainment, Guerilla Games, Nintendo, and more are to create a powerful story that plays out in an immersive world.

And surely creating powerful stories is a topic that matters to you. 😉

Sony Interactive Entertainment is famous for such games like Shadow of the Colossus (another fave), God of War, Spiderman (2018), and Horizon Zero Dawn (teamed with Guerilla Games). 

I’m a long time gamer, but when Horizon Zero Dawn came onto the scene, it blew me away. It raised the gameplay bar to a whole new level.

The fascinating central storyline, the genuine and believable female main character, and the unbelievable world building skills weaved throughout the game all wowed me as a writer.

So I’m dissecting Horizon Zero Dawn and all it can teach writers about:

1. Creating a main character with a unique identity and sense of purpose
2. Structuring a concise plot
3. Building an immersive fictional world

Our goal is not just to create another run-of-the-mill main character. BLAH, NO THANK YOU. Our goal as character crafters is to create a true individual with purpose. A main character readers can relate to and root for.

Horizon Zero Dawn gave us exactly that in Aloy- a relatable, pragmatic gal with craze-mazing skill and believable motives.

Aloy is a sharp, strong willed archer of the Nora hunting tribe. She’s motherless in a society that worships motherhood, and so she is considered an outcast. Regardless, her guardian, Rost (another outcast), raises her in  in the Nora traditions, teaching her their hunting and crafting techniques. And that training comes across CLEARLY in her wardrobe and overall appearance, which further molds her unique identity.

As a child, Aloy discovers a rare item in the forbidden mines called a Focus. This piece of ancient tech gives her unique insight into the world around her.

But living in the outskirts of a society that strictly forbids the use of technology pits Aloy further against the Nora tribe. This building friction combined with her strong will encourages Aloy to discover what ancient secrets lay buried in the womb of the Earth. This action promises conflict. And conflict motivates the plot.

What Writers Can Learn From Main Character, Aloy:

Your character has gotta have more than just a sick style or a pretty face. Your focus as a writer is to create a conflicted character with a believable motive. Discover your main character’s unique personality plus his central conflict, and let that conflict motivate the character to action.

As writers, we want our readers to feel immersed in our story– like they are taking the journey with the main character too. But how did Horizon Zero Dawn achieve this goal?

Horizon has a well-structured plot that captures players emotionally, making you feel personally involved in the story. And just like every great story, it follows the three-act structure.

At the close of act one, a vicious horde of bandits called the Eclipse attack the Nora with robot beasts, and personal tragedy befalls Aloy. As a result, Aloy decidedly ventures out into the unforgiving wilds, eager to combat the great robotic creatures scouring the land and uncover the mysteries of a lost civilization. This fiery inciting incident funnels players directly into act two of the Horizon Zero Dawn plot.

Act two begins with Aloy tactfully hunting her first major machine beast: a Sawtooth. All of Rost’s teachings are put to the ultimate test and quickly Aloy realizes the world is even more dangerous than she imagined.

Aloy discovers a trail of clues that not only lead her closer to the dark origins of the robotic beasts, but closer to answers about where she’s really come from.

At the mid point of act two, Aloy’s Focus is hacked by Sylens, a mysterious man with an even more mysterious vendetta. Aloy is informed of ancient, corrupted machines rising across the land, being lead by a war monger more sinister than imagined. Sylens believes Aloy is the only person capable of stopping this mad man.

But as act three emerges, we realize that discovering where Aloy came from and where these war machines are headed may just lead us toward the same devastating destination.

What Writers Can Learn From the Horizon Zero Dawn Plot:

All great plots follow the three-act structure. The goal in this game and in a novel are the same: immerse the reader/player by including them in the main character’s journey emotionally. Keep your readers glued to your pages through rising conflict.

For all writers, world building is a powerful facet of storytelling. And in every fantasy novel, world building is a must.

Horizon Zero Dawn raises the bar to a whole new level when it comes to world building.

Earth is in its second stone age as we meet Aloy and adventure with her through the vast wilds of untamed land. Through her journey, we get a glimpse of Earth in a stunning rebirth. Dead cities frozen in time have been taken back by flora and fauna. Picturesque mountain ranges are littered with ancient machine bodies which act as a haunting reminder of past mysteries.

Aloy discovers just how wide her world really is as she meets hunting tribes forged by tradition, working colonies focused on trade and commerce, and even a magnificent city holding promise of a bright future. Every culture has a unique dress, religion, code of conduct, traditions, and way of life.

And everywhere she turns, Aloy is confronted by a metal beast more unfathomable than the one before it. Every inch— every detail– of this game is coated in world-building GOLD. 

What Writers Can Learn From Horizon Zero Dawn’s World Building Techniques:

Your book should invite readers to step into your fictional world in unique, creative ways. So don’t half-butt-cheek this. Create a fantasy world in YOUR story that’s distinct and full of immersive delight.

But just remember that great world building alone does not equal a great story. Take this word of caution from Mr. Brian McDonald himself, “I will say that many people confuse storytelling with world building and video games can exacerbate that issue for people trying to master the craft of creating stories. They think they have a story when all they have is lots of stuff. Just a caution.”

So take this word of advice and run with it! (And please gobble up more fantastic writing advice from Brian on his Youtube channel/podcast You Are a Storyteller). Great video games like Horizon Zero Dawn are built on more than just fantastic world building. The same is true for great novels ;).

In conclusion, video games can teach us a thing or two about great storytelling. Horizon Zero Dawn taught us:

1. The importance of crafting a unique main character
2. That all great stories follow the three-act structure
3. Just how immersive world building can be

Video games, like writing, have been and always will be a major part of my life. I thank the creators of Horizon Zero Dawn: Frozen Wilds for helping this writer understand what it means to engage readers in my own stories.

Do yourself a favor and give this game a chance if you haven’t already. Horizon Zero Dawn is on sale now (Playstation 4 exclusive). But even if gaming just isn’t your thing, read up on the construction of this incredible world. And, please, do yourself a favor and also download the Horizon Zero Dawn Soundtrack. It is writing playlist GOLD.

Are you a gamer too? Let’s geek out together. Write in the comments section the video games YOU LOVE and/or how their storytelling techniques inspired your writing journey!