Video Games

[Joe Calabrese]

Hey all...

Does anyone have any insights on writing screenplays for video games? A sample of a script would be great to see the specific formatting, terms and structure.

I got an oportunity to submit one of my action/adventure specs to a gaming company and I would like to tweak it before submitting it.

There is a demand right now for new stories and the pay is pretty good from what I hear.

Thanks.

[CACTUSWENDY]

:Shrug: You know, I never thought about games needing a script. I'm a game player and it just never occured to me. I guess you're never too old to learn something new. :idea: By the way, good luck with yours. I would be interested to hear what they tell you. (so everytime Mario and the gang does 'their' thing it's all been scripted?) :banana:

[William Haskins]

hey joe (where you goin' with that gun in your hand?),

i'll post a sample page or two asap. i can't share any actual pages because of NDAs. but i'll whip up a generic sample and we can discuss from there. just need to put out a couple of fires first.

-william

[Richard]

There is a demand right now for new stories and the pay is pretty good from what I hear.

Heh. You'll have to tell me where at some point... Most gamedevs I speak to as part of my day job say pretty much the exact opposite.

[William Haskins]

Heh. You'll have to tell me where at some point... Most gamedevs I speak to as part of my day job say pretty much the exact opposite.

this is true in my experience as well. but if joe's got a lead, i say go for it.

[Joe Calabrese]

The guy I know is a senior programmer at one of the big companies and he said his bosses are looking for new material and my action/adventure/fantasy "The Eyes of Mara" is very much in line with their type of stories. He seemed to indicate that stories are in demand, but maybe that was just them and not the industry in general.

[JustinoXXV]

Congradulations, Joe.

I'd like to see those sample pages, William.

Do either of you guys know of a website that lists major game developers? I've a spec screenplay whose concept may be suitable. I could try contacting them.

[Joe Calabrese]

Don't congrat me yet. just a lead.

Anyway, here are some sites I found that may be of use. Haskins can sure steer ya better.

http://www.gamedev.net/

or

http://www.flipcode.com/

or

http://3dbuzz.com/vbforum/sv_home.php

[Mac H.]

There is an article in the latest issue of 'Storyline' about writing for games.
('Storyline' is the AWG magazine - basically the Aussie version of 'Written By')

Some comments from it:
* They sometimes end up writing the game outline, game treatment, character bible, 2x30 page pitch documents. (one for game play, one for story) as well as the giving input into the 'game design' document.

* Gameplay writing is inherently non-narrative. If you have a haunted house, the gamer can choose not to go in it, and simply run around it smashing windows. That is going to make a huge difference to your 'story'.

* The documents for the creatives, programmers & animators includes:
- Concepts
- Systems
- Help Text
- Scripted Dialogue

* Sometimes the concepts are based around a single scene - eg: a wrecked oil tanker in the middle of the desert. (Obviously a good environment for a 'shoot-em-up' type scene, with a hint of history about what the environment is..)

Hope this gives you some more grist for the mill...

Mac