Welcome to Ed's Script Development Page

Our Lecturer Dave is a big burly guy, with a big red beard, and he knows his stuff.
On this page I will be going through all the different elements and aspects of script writing and story development as relevant to video games

  • Script Writing

    We start with the role of the writer


    Traditionaly writers sat on their own and wrote a story, with characters and plots, but with video games, often (not always) the story is just as important, but video games have interactivity. The user/player can make things happen, and become involved in the game. In a successful game the player will become immeresed in the game

  • What a video game writer does


    The video game writer, is responsible for setting up the whole game world setting, the story, character developement and diaglogue and to provide context and feedback.
    This is also known as 'narrative design'. It is as much a part of the game, as mechanics and different levels

  • The Rules

    No Rules
    Engaging
    Consideration

  • Part of Team


    C.I.A (communicate, innovate, advocate)
    Understand everysone role, and the impact of your decisions
    Time Management
    Improvise , Adapt , Overcome

  • Some Warnings

    Writing is hard
    Everything changes
    You get better, but it does not get easier
    Dont be precious
    Disasters Happen

  • Some Useful Terms


    Stereotype
    Archetype
    Cliché
    Trope & Motif

  • Building Blocks of a Story

    Story & Game


    The story and game should support each other, and not contradict each other.
    Writers should have a clear idea of elements like, genre, setting , theme , plot , tone and pacing, so they can develope the story

  • Protagonist


    This is the character, that goes through the story 'arc'. Types of hero are , tradational, rogue, comic, anti-hero, and tragic , for example

  • Conflict


    Story is Drama, Drama comes from conflict. The main story should focus on one conflict, with sub plots focusing on another.

  • Types/Sources of conflict


    Man - versus / man/ nature / god /society/ himself ... etc, which can cause inner/personal/extra-personal conflict

  • What are the Stakes


    Whatever the stakes are, they should increase over time, what does the hero stand to lose ... life , love , wealth, happiness,
    Usually your life !

  • Agency , Immersion , Emergence

    Video games as stories


    Video games are a way for people to become part of the story. To do this they must be able to interact with the game (Agency), which if good, will result in 'Immersion' and possibly 'Emergence'

  • Agency


    The ability to affect the game. It happens at different levels.
    Immediate : move, shoot , touch etc
    Intermediate : having choices on the path or progress of the game
    Extended : the ability to affect the outcome of the game (can be expensive to have multiple ending options)

  • Immersion


    This is when a player literaly feels he is part of the game It can be 'Diegetic : a love of characters, the world or story, or non-diegetic, a general love of the strategy that goes into the game.

  • Tyeps of Immersion


    Spatial, a player feels like he is in the game, space.
    Tactical : a player feels like he is in the action in the game
    Stragetic : a player feels like he is involved in the longer term play strageties, (common in MMORPG)

    Narrative : the player becomes emotionally involved in the characters.
    Total : this is a mix of all of the above

  • Emergence


    This is when, situations emerge from the gameplay mechanics, that were not envisiged by the designer, and give an effect that is beyond that of the original design

  • Your Audience

    Different Markets


    Casual : mass audience, any genre, limited purchases,
    Triple A: high budget, great art, high agencey
    Indie: more niche

  • Age


    ESRB : Entertainment Software Ratings Board
    PEGI: Pan European Game Information
    Know your audience. Games for youth or older markets, will have different expectations.

  • Gender


    55% of gamers are Male, 74% of casual gamers are female
    Female gamers like, characterful female characters (not male fantasy) and inter-personal stories, with justification for missions.

  • Ethnicity

    Avoid ethnic stereotypes , both negative and positive. Have a holistic approach

    Accessibility

    Consider and research how you plan to provide options for the imparied

  • Audience in Summary


    Consider who your adience is, plan and do research, be inclusive, don't take shortcuts, or make assumptions.