Spring 2006: LIT 4930 :: Gaming Cultures
Optional Alternate Project 0: Bioware Competition
BioWare is holding one of the most exciting contests in our history. Anyone who has dreamed of writing professionally will find this a unique opportunity to get their work noticed by the right people. We are looking for exceptionally talented writers to help develop our award-winning roleplaying games.
BioWare's Director of Design James Ohlen and Assistant Director of Design Kevin Barrett have agreed to make the process of submitting work as easy as possible for writers looking to work for BioWare.
Here is what you need to know to enter: BioWare asks for writers to create a Neverwinter Nights module to tell their story using the Aurora Toolset. There are a lot of options to consider when creating a module in the Toolset, but it is important to remember that BioWare will only be interested in the writing.
When hiring writers, BioWare looks only at your writing; not the areas, not the special scripting, and not the combat. We evaluate only the characters, the dialogue, the plot, the non-linear structure, and the flow and pace of the story. To be eligible for this contest, please submit a Neverwinter Nights module that follows these parameters:
A maximum of four characters. One player character and a maximum of
three non-playable characters.
A maximum of 3500 words in total including dialogue and setting.
You must tell a complete story in the form of a traditional BioWare
side-quest and account for different endings/ multiple resolutions.
You are only allowed to use one 4x4 area in the Toolset to tell your
whole story.
No combat or special skill use.
Just use the NWN retail toolset; don't use any community add-ons.
Some additional guidelines to keep in mind:
Dialogue should be no longer than 2-3 lines at a time.
Do not use modern slang.
Use a medieval fantasy setting.
For additional advice read the writer's submission guidelines.
When does the contest close?
Submissions must be in by January 30th, 2006. Winners will be announced the last week of February 2006.
How are winners selected, and what are the prizes? Eight (8) winning modules will be selected in total:
Three (3) modules will be selected by a panel of judges made up of recognized leaders in community modules development Five (5) additional modules will be selected based on community votes at NWVault
These top eight (8) submissions will be reviewed by BioWare senior staff members Kevin Barrett and James Ohlen with the intent on finding and hiring talented writers. Further interviews and additional samples of your work may be required at the discretion of BioWare.
Each of the eight (8) winners will receive a selection of merchandise
from the BioWare Online Store, which includes:
BioWare coffee mug
BioWare wool cap
Jade Empire soundtrack
Jade Empire t-shirt
Copies of all Premium Neverwinter Nights Modules