The Illinois of Art, Chicago
 Scriptwriting for Games
Instructor: Lindsay Grace
Document NameDescriptionWeekPrinter Friendly
Syllabus Summer 2007Course assignments, schedule, requirements and policies for Scriptwriting for Games. 0 PDF
Team and Competition GuideOutline of teams competition and team policy for completing group assignments and final product. 0 PDF
Max Payne TranscriptA transcript of Max Payne's opening cinematic and game play: defines PC character and emotion, sets up situation, and tells a complete story. 1 PDF
What is a Game Writer?An overview of the scriptwriter?s role and responsibility in video games. This is an excerpt from a larger document created by the IGDA Game Writers SIG. 1 PDF
Film Script Sample ExcerptA sample from a famous film. Evaluate this script style and format. Is it valuable for writing games? 1 PDF
Games to Play ListThese are good games to demontrate topics in class discussion. Some may be downloaded for free. 1 PDF
Common writing errors explainedA list of common writing errrors at the college level. This is based on research at the University of Maine. 2 PDF
How to Polish those Great IdeasA simple plan for proofreading your work before review. Following these steps will greatly improve your writing mechanics. 2 PDF
Novel Game Stories and ConceptsInformation about games that have received strong praise or criticism for their atypical approach to game storytelling or story concept. 2 HTML
Hall of Shame LinksLinks to videos for the Hall of Shame Case Studies (bad games) 2 HTML
Hall of Shame Game Concept Case StudiesReview these game concepts from the hall of shame. 2 PDF
Introduction to Game Type and Game GenreDescribes the difference between video game type and video game genre. 2 PDF
Foundations of Interactive Storytelling (optional)Suggested, but not required, reading about the task of writing for games. 2 PDF
Max Payne Interactive Transcript SampleA sample of basic branching using the Max Payne game 2 PDF
Game Concept Writing OverviewAn overview of the game concept statement or game premise. 2 PDF
Video Game Audience Research LinksLinks to reliable statistical research about game players. This is useful when writing the target audience/demographic section of your design document. 3 HTML
Plot Structure OverviewA 2-page outline of the fundementals of plot as they apply to linear storytelling. Describes three-act structure, unity ot action, and mystery. 3 PDF
Interactive Storytelling Part IExcerpts from the IDGA?s overview of storytelling in games. This document describes advanced topics in game event structure. 4 PDF
Cinematic VocabularyVocabulary of Camera: a list of standard camera terms. 4 PDF
Camera Language: Video Examples website.Website containing sample animations of camera movement and a guide to basic camera terms. You can also view it at http://camera.lgrace.com. This is your Monday night reading assignment. 4 HTML
Game Storyboard SheetBlank sheet for each panel of your cinematic sequence storyboard 4 PDF
Storyboard LinksLinks to game storyboards and reading about creating storyboards 4 HTML
Camera Language Resource LinksLinks to useful sites that describe and demonstrate traditional camera framing, transitions, and movement terms. 4 HTML
Major Game CharactersA list and description of a few major game characters. These PCs have been important in recent storytelling for games. 5 HTML
Character Arc WorksheetA quick tool for helping you stay on track when developing characters for your game. 5 PDF
Character Diamond GeneratorUsing Freeman's concept of a character diamond, this page helps you create a diamond for a character. 5 HTML
Sample character profileCharacter sketch/description example: Max Payne 5 PDF
Dialogue Systems: Linear Conversation ExampleLinear conversation is one of the simplest dialogue systems used in games. It is an old approach. Review this example from my Zombie Master case-study game. 7 PDF
Tips for Writing Good DialogueTips for writing good linear dialogue, which can also apply to non-linear and emergent storytelling 7 PDF
In-Game Dialogue TemplateA template for creating in-game dialogue d for non-lienar story. (Excel spreadsheet) 7 PDF
Sample Dialogue Response List 7 PDF
Gameplay BasicsA quick description of the 5 essentials of gameplay. 8 PDF
Level AssignmentComplete this assignment for Sep-4. Complete at least one level, describing several choice a player can make. 8 PDF
Final Project GuidelinesFinal project guide for Scriptwriting for Games final team project. 9 PDF
Levels and Story OverviewA quick introduction to writing story based levels using interactive structure. 9 PDF
Final Project Grading GuideDetailed grading criteria for final projects. 9 PDF

www.LGrace.com

 

This document is an archive of resources provided by Lindsay Grace, Associate Professor of Game Design and Web Design at the Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago. The resources provided here concern undergraduate level instruction in art and design for the commercial arts. This includes video game art and design, web design, film making, and commercial writing. These resources are to be used by students of the Art and Design college. The use of materials not written by Lindsay Grace, if any, are provided within the definition of Unites States of America "fair use laws." Any third party content is provided with the understanding that it meets all local, state, and federal copyright restrictions.

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