- Writer Tom Bissell, speaking on the "Microtalks" panel at GDC 2013.

Why do video game writers exist?

To hear author and Battlefield Hardline writer Tom Bissell tell it at GDC 2013, it's not to dictate the course of a game's story. Rather, it's to work with designers, artists and programmers to make the game's characters and world "pop" with vivid detail.

In the course of a six-minute microtalk, Bissell handily deconstructed some common misconceptions about what it's like to write for video games (and how it compares to being a journalist and author) while exploring practical ways writers can contribute to big-budget game production.

Now you can watch his presentation -- a brief segment of the full GDC 2013 Microtalks panel -- for free over on the official GDC YouTube channel.

About the GDC Vault

In addition to this presentation, the GDC Vault and its new YouTube channel offers numerous other free videos, audio recordings, and slides from many of the recent Game Developers Conference events, and the service offers even more members-only content for GDC Vault subscribers.

Those who purchased All Access passes to recent events like GDC, GDC Europe, and GDC Next already have full access to GDC Vault, and interested parties can apply for the individual subscription via a GDC Vault subscription page. Group subscriptions are also available: game-related schools and development studios who sign up for GDC Vault Studio Subscriptions can receive access for their entire office or company by contacting staff via the GDC Vault group subscription page. Finally, current subscribers with access issues can contact GDC Vault technical support.

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