Scripting for games Games Story Development Lesson 5

Scripting for games Games Story Development Lesson 5 – Script writing

Aims and objectives § Understand the format and key terms § Correctly apply the format to your script § Use screenwriting techniques to guide dialogue and action

The purpose of scripts

Basic Format The Academy Awards Standards § Font type: Courier New § Font Size: 12 § Font colour: Black § Font format: Bold/Normal § Lower case/Caps lock

Formatting § The whole script must be in Courier New size 12 font in black § Capital letters: Characters names (MARIO), location (HYRULE CASTLE), sounds (FOOTSTEPS) § Bold: INT/EXT. SHADOW MOSES (INT/EXT. LOCATION)

Dialogue § Usually spoken words § Voice-over/Off-screen § Monolgues § In gaming: Written words are too dialogues (Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Paper Mario (Wii Version), Fifa (Emails), Sims)

Terminology § INT/EXT: Interior/Exterior (The slug line) § Parentheticals: actions: sigh, laugh, beat, pause § V. O: Voice-over (when character is not seen on screen talking the dialogue: narration) § O. S: Off-screen (when the character is off screen)

Montage

Terminology (CONT’D) § Montage: A series of clips put together to create meaning E. g. MONTAGE 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) A clip of character Character in action Weapon Location Clip of character Location Another character Weapon etc

Terminology (CONT’D) § INTERCUT 2 or more scene shown at once. Eg. A telephone conversation Use the INT/EXT format for each scene INTERCUT BETWEEN [character 1] and [character 2]

Terminology (CONT’D): Continued

Other notes § One page = approximately one minute § Number pages : One of Twelve 1 0 f 12 WHY? § Don’t forget your cut scene will have dialogue too § Introduce each scene by using a slug line and what each characters are doing § Check spelling and grammar

Front Page § Find the middle of the page, vertically and horizontally. Type the title in bold type § Two lines below the title, type “Written by” centered on the line § Underneath that, type your name, also centered § In the lower corner, put your name, address, phone number, and email address

Front Page

Task Write your front page

Quiz Time

1. "Did you know you can donate one or all of your vital organs to the Aperture Science Self Esteem Fund for Girls? It's true!“ 2. "The 'Cole Train' always runs on time!“ 3. "A sword wields no strength unless the hand that holds it has courage. “ 4. "The only thing you'll get from me is a gruesome death!“ 5. “I don't like women who shoot me in my face, anyway. “ 6. "War. War never changes. Since the dawn of human kind, when our ancestors first discovered the killing power of rock and bone, blood has been spilled in the name of everything, from God to justice to simple, psychotic rage. “ 7. "Nothing is true; everything is permitted. “ 8. "Sonic's the name, speed is my game!“ 9. "You were almost a Jill sandwich!“ 10. “Sorry, but our princess is in another castle!”

Quiz answers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Gla. Dos - Portal Augustus Cole – Gears of War 2 The Hero’s Shade – Twilight Princess Leonard – Silent Hill 3 Dante – Devil May Cry 3 Narrator – Fallout 3 Altair – Assassin’s Creed Sonic – Super Smash Bros Brawl Barry Barton – Resident Evil Mario