Scriptwriting for Games | ||
Instructor:
Lindsay Grace |
Document Name | Description | Week | Printer Friendly | ||||||
Syllabus | Course schedule, grading policy, and objectives for Scriptwriting for Games. | 0 | HTML | ||||||
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 | |||||||
Grading Criteria | A short description of the grading criteria for our class. You should only worry about the A :) | 1 | |||||||
Introduction to Game Type and Game Genre | Describes the difference between video game type and video game genre. | 1 | |||||||
Interesting Games | Games you may find interesting | 1 | HTML | ||||||
Zombie Master Step Plan | A simplified step plan for a game. | 1 | |||||||
Final Project Self-Eval Form | Final Project Self-Eval Form | 11 | |||||||
Common writing errors explained | A list of common writing errrors at the college level. This is based on research at the University of Maine. | 4 | |||||||
How to Polish those Great Ideas | A simple plan for proofreading your work before review. Following these steps will greatly improve your writing mechanics. | 4 | |||||||
Writing Mechanics Links for Games | Links and information that can help new game writers. | 4 | HTML | ||||||
Max Payne Transcript | A transcript of Max Payne's opening cinematic: defines PC character and emotion, sets up situation, and tells a complete story. | 4 | |||||||
Tips for Writing Good Dialogue | Tips for writing good linear dialogue, which can also apply to non-linear and emergent storytelling. | 4 | |||||||
Dialogue Systems: Linear Conversation Example | Linear converstation 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. | 4 | |||||||
Non-Linear Dialogue Sample | This is an example of non-linear dialogue. It is a hybrid of the action dialogue and dialogue menu systems described in class. It uses the Zombie Master in-class case study. | 4 | |||||||
Action System List | It is common in games for the PC to indicate action with a list of canned responses. These responses help the player understand what they have chosen and add realism to game play. These lists are very easy to construct. | 4 | |||||||
Standard Game Plot Scenarios | I compiled a summary of 25 common game plot situations to help you find ideas. | 5 | |||||||
Fundementals of Plot | A 2-page outline of the fundementals of plot as they apply to linear storytelling. Describes three-act structure, unity ot action, and mystery. | 5 | |||||||
Game Writer Plot Concepts and Terms | Describes the fundamentals of unity of action, foreshadowing and my term unity of rule in video game storytelling. | 5 | |||||||
Object Oriented Story Assignment | An activity to help you create a non-linear, modular story structure for a game. | 5 | |||||||
P-Paths writing Assignment | Parrallel paths writing assignment. Step-by-step instructions for writing a non-linear, divergent path story with efficient branching. | 5 | |||||||
Game Story Sheet | Blank sheet for each panel of your cinematic sequence storyboard | 5 | |||||||
Cinematic Vocabulary | Vocabulary of Camera: a list of standard camera terms. | 6 | |||||||
Storbyoard Links | Links to game storyboards and reading about creating storyboards | 6 | HTML | ||||||
Framing Heights | Framing height / shot guide for human figure subjects. This is a useful guide when writing cinematic sequences. | 6 | HTML | ||||||
Pan Example | Example of a pan | 6 | HTML | ||||||
Dolly Example | An example of the dolly | 6 | HTML | ||||||
Zoom example | An example of the zoom | 6 | HTML | ||||||
Camera Language Links | Links to useful sites that describe and demonstrate traditional camera framing, transitions, and movement terms. | 6 | HTML | ||||||
Video Game Statistics | Links to good statistical research about game players. This is useful when writing the target audience/demographic section of your design document. | 7 | HTML | ||||||
Introduction to Game Concept Statements | An overview of the game concept statement or game premise. | 7 | |||||||
Game Audience Eval Worksheet | A worksheet to complete when interviewing others about your game concept. | 7 | |||||||
Setting Reading | A few links about writing setting for games. | 8 | HTML | ||||||
Team Writing Assignment | Team Writing Exercise Instructions | 8 | |||||||
Final Project Guidelines | Checklist and grading criteria for the final game document. | 8 | HTML | ||||||
Team Writing Exercise Evaluation | Evaluation sheets for team writing exercise | 9 |
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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For information about the Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago please visit their website at http://www.artinstitutes.edu/chicago/
Although Lindsay Grace works for the Illinois Institute of Art / EDMC this site is not an officially sanctioned publication of the Illinois Institute of Art. The views, comments and content provided on this page are not necessarily those of the college.