Gamifying Creativity: how video Games can make you a better writer
What can video games teach kids about writing and storytelling?
A lot.
In this interactive workshop aimed at kids 9-13, author of Future Me and the VR Prison Josh Weiss-Roessler shows how common video game elements can be fantastic writing tools.
engage reluctant writers, tech-focused kids, and gamers
Who needs a standard author reading? Gamifying Creativity engages kids by taking concepts they already know and love from video games and applying them directly to narrative structure.
It’s an approach that bridges STEM/STEAM thinking with ELA writing standards, helping tech-minded kids and reluctant writers realize they already know how to build a great story.
How Does Gamifying creativity work?
Character Creation
Students are each given a simplified character sheet to build a character by choosing strengths, weaknesses, abilities, and flaws. There is also a space for them to draw their character. (10-15 min)
Setting as Level Design
Together, we design a school campus as a tactical game environment, with their ideas shaping what happens in the final section of the workshop. (15-20 min)
Co-op Story Crisis
Students guide their characters through the school as a team to solve a narrative challenge, encouraging them to collaborate and account for various strengths and weaknesses to "beat the level." (15-20 min)
Character Creation
Students are each given a simplified character sheet to build a character by choosing strengths, weaknesses, abilities, and flaws. There is also a space for them to draw their character. (10-15 min)
Setting as Level Design
Together, we design a school campus as a tactical game environment, with their ideas shaping what happens in the final section of the workshop. (15-20 min)
Co-op Story Crisis
Students guide their characters through the school as a team to solve a narrative challenge, encouraging them to collaborate and account for various strengths and weaknesses to "beat the level." (15-20 min)
educator freebies
Educator Guide (Grades 4–7): Includes STEM+ELA study questions and hands-on classroom activities.
Tales from the VRoom: Free 5-story digital companion from the world of Future Me for students.
hosting options
Option A ($250 Fee): Standard flat-fee visit with no book order minimums.
Option B ($0 Fee): Free visit with a 30-book minimum order through Ingram. (ISBN: 979-8-9956520-0-7 / 979-8-9956520-0-14).
