Scriptwriting for Games | ||
Instructor:
Lindsay Grace |
Document Name | Description | Week | Printer Friendly | ||||||
Scriptwriting For Games Syllabus | Course schedule, grading policy, and objectives for Scriptwriting for Games. | 0 | |||||||
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 | |||||||
Zombie Master Step Plan | A simplified step plan for a game. | 1 | |||||||
Interesting Games | Games you may find interesting | 1 | HTML | ||||||
Introduction to Game Type and Game Genre | Describes the difference between video game type and video game genre. | 1 | |||||||
Max Payne Transcript | A transcript of Max Payne's opening cinematic and game play: defines PC character and emotion, sets up situation, and tells a complete story. | 1 | |||||||
Script Sample Excerpt | Script Sample Excerpt | 1 | |||||||
Game to Play List | A suggested list of games to play. These games will be discussed in class. | 1 | HTML | ||||||
Foundations of Interactive Storytelling | Required reading: Intro to Game Story Basics | 1 | |||||||
Novel Game Stories and Concepts | Information about games that have received strong praise or criticism for their atypical approach to game storytelling or story concept. | 2 | HTML | ||||||
Case Study: Game Hall of Shame | These games recived poor reviews for story-related problems. | 2 | |||||||
Hall of Shame Links | Links to videos for the Hall of Shame Case Studies (bad games) | 2 | HTML | ||||||
Max Payne Interactive Transcript Sample | A sample of basic branching using the Max Payne game | 2 | |||||||
Writing Mechanics Links for Games | Links and information that can help new game writers. | 2 | HTML | ||||||
Common writing errors explained | A list of common writing errrors at the college level. This is based on research at the University of Maine. | 2 | |||||||
How to Polish those Great Ideas | A simple plan for proofreading your work before review. Following these steps will greatly improve your writing mechanics. | 2 | |||||||
Introduction to Game Concept Statements | An overview of the game concept statement or game premise. | 2 | |||||||
Game Concept Review Sheet | Game Concept review sheet for evaluating student game concepts in class. To be completed by each team, for each student game concept | 3 | |||||||
Character Diamond Generator | Using freeman's concept of a character diamond, this page helps you create a diamond for a character. | 3 | HTML | ||||||
Character Arc Worksheet | A quick tool for helping you stay on track when developing characters for your game. | 3 | |||||||
Sample character profile | Character sketch homework example: Max Payne | 3 | |||||||
Major Game Characters | A list and description of a few major game characters. These PCs have been important in recent storytelling for games. | 4 | HTML | ||||||
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 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. | 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 | |||||||
Reading Assignment | Weekend Reading Assignment: Dialogue Systems in Games | 4 | HTML | ||||||
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 | |||||||
In-Game Dialogue Sample | Template for Creating in-Game Dialogue (Example of use) | 5 | |||||||
In-Game Dialogue Template | A template for creating in-game dialogue. (Excel spreadsheet) | 5 | |||||||
Standard Game Plot Scenarios | I compiled a summary of 25 common game plot situations to help you find ideas. | 5 | |||||||
Interactive Storytelling Part I | Excerpts from the IDGA?s overview of storytelling in games. This is part 1 of 2, describing linear and branched structures. | 5 | |||||||
Interactive Storytelling Part 2 | An outline of the basic storytelling structures for advanced techniques. | 5 | |||||||
Writer's Block Help | A few quick ideas for those of us seeking a muse. | 5 | |||||||
P-Paths writing Assignment-Homework | Parrallel paths writing assignment. Step-by-step instructions for writing a non-linear, divergent path story with efficient branching. | 5 | |||||||
Object Oriented Story Assignment | An activity to help you create a non-linear, modular story structure for a game. | 5 | |||||||
Story for Games: Levels | A brief overview of the basics of story in levels and chapters in games. | 6 | |||||||
Game Storyboard Sheet | Blank sheet for each panel of your cinematic sequence storyboard | 6 | |||||||
Cinematic Vocabulary | Vocabulary of Camera: a list of standard camera terms. | 6 | |||||||
Storyboard Links | Links to game storyboards and reading about creating storyboards | 6 | HTML | ||||||
Camera Language: Examples and terms 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. | 6 | HTML | ||||||
Camera Language Resource Links | Links to useful sites that describe and demonstrate traditional camera framing, transitions, and movement terms. | 6 | HTML | ||||||
Final Project Guidelines | The formal list of requirements for the Final Project in Scriptwriting for Games. This assignment is worth 25 percent of your final grade. | 7 | |||||||
Final Project Grading Guide | A description of the grading standard for the final project. | 7 | |||||||
Video Game Statistics | Links to reliable statistical research about game players. This is useful when writing the target audience/demographic section of your design document. | 7 | HTML | ||||||
Setting Reading Links | Required reading about setting (Homework for Monday Night of week 8) | 8 | HTML | ||||||
Team Writing Exercise Instructions | Team Writing Assignment | 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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