Editing for Video Games

When most people think of editing, they think of books, magazines, newspapers, or websites. Video games rarely make the list. Yet behind every quest, character interaction, dialogue option, and story arc is a team of writers, designers, and editors working together to create an immersive experience for players. In this episode, I interview video game editor and narrative designer Jess Haskins about the fascinating world of interactive storytelling. Jess pulls back the curtain on what game editors actually do, from shaping dialogue and maintaining character consistency to navigating branching narratives and player-driven choices. Together, we explore how editing changes when the audience actively participates in the story and why many of the core skills editors use every day—clarity, consistency, collaboration, and audience awareness—are just as important in gaming as they are in traditional publishing. Whether you're a gamer, an editor, or simply curious about unexpected career paths, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on how editors help shape experiences far beyond the page. In this episode, you'll learn: • What a video game editor does • The difference between indie, AA, and AAA games • How dialogue trees and player choice influence storytelling • The challenges of editing branching narratives • How editors collaborate with writers, designers, developers, and voice actors • Common misconceptions about video game editing • The role of AI in game development and narrative design • Why the editorial mindset translates across industries and mediums About Jess Haskins: Jess Haskins is a video game editor, narrative designer, and founder of The Game Editors, a boutique studio specializing in narrative consulting, editing, and voiceover production for games. She has worked on a variety of narrative-driven projects and is passionate about helping game developers create compelling player experiences through strong storytelling and thoughtful editorial collaboration. Additional links to resources and contact info mentioned in this episode: Twine - https://twinery.org/ Articy - https://www.articy.com/en/ Connect with Jess Haskins on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesshaskins/ Learn more about her business – thegameeditors.com Leave a review or share this episode with your fellow editors! Check out other episodes of The Editor’s Half Hour: piquepublishing.com/podcast Connect with me on Instagram: @Editors_Half_Hour Subscribe to my newsletter: tinyurl.com/EditorsHalfHour Become a Patreon Sneak “Pique” supporter for $5/month to get access to exclusive content on YouTube: patreon.com/EditorsHalfHour