I was looking for a decent way to write a script for a video game but found nothing. So I decided to create my own.
I call it “gameplay format,” because if a screenplay is a movie script, a “gameplay” should be a game script. Now, “gameplay” is already used to describe the experience of playing a game. That’s precisely why I called this format a “gameplay,” because it describes exactly that.
In filmmaking, screenwriters aren’t supposed to talk about shots or blocking or directing all that much; at most, they make minor suggestions. The screenwriter’s job is to describe the action. Why not give the “gamewriter” the same job — talk about what happens when the player’s character does what, and leave things like controls and programming to the designer and programmer?
I decided to try creating a format based on a screenplay, and I’m writing a surreal dystopian comedy/thriller game to test it out. It will be called “Status Quo”. But I want to make sure I’m on the right track as far as it being readable by humans.
I will say two things: I envision this as a 2D sidescroller simply because I can’t program or model in 3D to save my life, and centered underlined text is a “level heading”. If I have to say anything else, then this format isn’t easy enough to read, and I have failed. MISERABLY.
So, please let me know if this is comprehensible, and whether I can improve it (the format, not the game necessarily). Without further ado, after the jump, level one of “Status Quo”:
THE CLINIC
INT. EXAM ROOM
Overhead lights slowly turn on to reveal the white, sterile
room. BURKE, a Watchman (a man with a gigantic eye instead
of a head) stands on the left side, dressed in a hospital
gown.
DOCTOR (V.O.)
(on INTERCOM)
Okay, Burke, just follow the
computer's instructions. We'll be
done shortly.
The player now has control of Burke.
A section of the floor on the right side of the room begins
to glow green. A railing is on the right side of this green
area.
COMPUTER (V.O.)
Please step onto the green square
to begin the exam.
SUBTITLE: Explain how to walk.
The computer repeats its instruction every five seconds.
WHEN BURKE WALKS ONTO THE GREEN SQUARE:
The green glow stops. A red arrow appears on the large
screen taking up the rear wall.
COMPUTER (V.O.)
Please jog towards the other side
of the room.
SUBTITLE: Explain how to run.
A treadmill in the floor turns on. It is roughly the same
speed as Burke's running gait. When it pushes Burke against
the railing, he braces himself against it.
WHEN BURKE REACHES THE CENTER OF THE ROOM:
DOCTOR (V.O.)
That's good, Burke, just a few
more seconds.
After a few more seconds of running, the treadmill stops.
The intercom extends from the left wall, revealing a large
retinal scanner.
COMPUTER (V.O.)
Please look directly at the
retinal scanner.
SUBTITLE: Explain how to look at things.
WHEN BURKE LOOKS AT THE SCANNER:
The scanner examines Burke's eye.
IF BURKE LOOKS AWAY:
COMPUTER (V.O.)
Please look at the retinal scanner
until the scan is complete.
WHEN BURKE LOOKS BACK, CONTINUE:
WHEN THE SCANNER IS DONE:
The scanner turns off.
DOCTOR (V.O.)
I'm running the numbers now. How
are you feeling, Burke?
IF BURKE SAYS NOTHING:
DOCTOR (V.O.)
Burke?
SUBTITLE: Explain how to choose dialog options.
IF BURKE SAYS "OKAY":
BURKE
I'm okay, I guess.
DOCTOR (V.O.)
Good.
OR, IF BURKE SAYS "NOT GREAT":
BURKE
Still queasy.
DOCTOR (V.O.)
Sorry to hear that.
EITHER WAY:
DOCTOR (V.O.)
Hmm...let's see now...
BUT, IF BURKE STILL SAYS NOTHING:
DOCTOR (V.O.)
Burke, did you hear m-- oh, here
they are...
REGARDLESS:
DOCTOR (V.O.)
Nothing seems to be too out of the
ordinary.
The door on the left side of the room opens, and the doctor
(also a Watchman) walks in, carrying and reading a
clipboard.
DOCTOR
Your iris is a bit dilated, and
nerve pressure's above normal,
but that's hardly surprising.
What with the riots and all.
IF BURKE SAYS "THEY STARTED WEEKS AGO":
BURKE
They've been going on for weeks,
though. I'm used to them.
DOCTOR
Well, yes, we all are.
OR, IF BURKE SAYS "TRUE":
BURKE
Yeah, that's true.
IF BURKE SAID THAT, OR IF HE SAID NOTHING:
DOCTOR
We're all used to them by now,
though.
REGARDLESS:
The doctor lowers his clipboard.
DOCTOR
It's like they're status quo at
this point. Very alarming.
IF BURKE SAYS "MAKES MY JOB SUCK":
BURKE
And the resulting paperwork is
just hell.
DOCTOR
I'd imagine. Can't help your
stress level either.
REGARDLESS:
DOCTOR
Well, at least coming here was a
break from all that for you. Back
to the grind, I guess?
IF BURKE SAYS "YES":
BURKE
Yeah, back to the Bureau with me.
REGARDLESS:
The doctor turns around and walks towards the door.
DOCTOR
You can get dressed. Good seeing
you, Burke. I just hope it's at
the bar next time. Ha ha ha...
The doctor exits the room.
FADE TO:
THE BUREAU OF BUREAUCRACY/AGENCY OF INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
COMPOUND
Gameplay Format – Because Video Game Writers Need To Go On Strike Too
I was looking for a decent way to write a script for a video game but found nothing. So I decided to create my own.
I call it “gameplay format,” because if a screenplay is a movie script, a “gameplay” should be a game script. Now, “gameplay” is already used to describe the experience of playing a game. That’s precisely why I called this format a “gameplay,” because it describes exactly that.
In filmmaking, screenwriters aren’t supposed to talk about shots or blocking or directing all that much; at most, they make minor suggestions. The screenwriter’s job is to describe the action. Why not give the “gamewriter” the same job — talk about what happens when the player’s character does what, and leave things like controls and programming to the designer and programmer?
I decided to try creating a format based on a screenplay, and I’m writing a surreal dystopian comedy/thriller game to test it out. It will be called “Status Quo”. But I want to make sure I’m on the right track as far as it being readable by humans.
I will say two things: I envision this as a 2D sidescroller simply because I can’t program or model in 3D to save my life, and centered underlined text is a “level heading”. If I have to say anything else, then this format isn’t easy enough to read, and I have failed. MISERABLY.
So, please let me know if this is comprehensible, and whether I can improve it (the format, not the game necessarily). Without further ado, after the jump, level one of “Status Quo”:
THE CLINIC INT. EXAM ROOM Overhead lights slowly turn on to reveal the white, sterile room. BURKE, a Watchman (a man with a gigantic eye instead of a head) stands on the left side, dressed in a hospital gown. DOCTOR (V.O.) (on INTERCOM) Okay, Burke, just follow the computer's instructions. We'll be done shortly. The player now has control of Burke. A section of the floor on the right side of the room begins to glow green. A railing is on the right side of this green area. COMPUTER (V.O.) Please step onto the green square to begin the exam. SUBTITLE: Explain how to walk. The computer repeats its instruction every five seconds. WHEN BURKE WALKS ONTO THE GREEN SQUARE: The green glow stops. A red arrow appears on the large screen taking up the rear wall. COMPUTER (V.O.) Please jog towards the other side of the room. SUBTITLE: Explain how to run. A treadmill in the floor turns on. It is roughly the same speed as Burke's running gait. When it pushes Burke against the railing, he braces himself against it. WHEN BURKE REACHES THE CENTER OF THE ROOM: DOCTOR (V.O.) That's good, Burke, just a few more seconds. After a few more seconds of running, the treadmill stops. The intercom extends from the left wall, revealing a large retinal scanner. COMPUTER (V.O.) Please look directly at the retinal scanner. SUBTITLE: Explain how to look at things. WHEN BURKE LOOKS AT THE SCANNER: The scanner examines Burke's eye. IF BURKE LOOKS AWAY: COMPUTER (V.O.) Please look at the retinal scanner until the scan is complete. WHEN BURKE LOOKS BACK, CONTINUE: WHEN THE SCANNER IS DONE: The scanner turns off. DOCTOR (V.O.) I'm running the numbers now. How are you feeling, Burke? IF BURKE SAYS NOTHING: DOCTOR (V.O.) Burke? SUBTITLE: Explain how to choose dialog options. IF BURKE SAYS "OKAY": BURKE I'm okay, I guess. DOCTOR (V.O.) Good. OR, IF BURKE SAYS "NOT GREAT": BURKE Still queasy. DOCTOR (V.O.) Sorry to hear that. EITHER WAY: DOCTOR (V.O.) Hmm...let's see now... BUT, IF BURKE STILL SAYS NOTHING: DOCTOR (V.O.) Burke, did you hear m-- oh, here they are... REGARDLESS: DOCTOR (V.O.) Nothing seems to be too out of the ordinary. The door on the left side of the room opens, and the doctor (also a Watchman) walks in, carrying and reading a clipboard. DOCTOR Your iris is a bit dilated, and nerve pressure's above normal, but that's hardly surprising. What with the riots and all. IF BURKE SAYS "THEY STARTED WEEKS AGO": BURKE They've been going on for weeks, though. I'm used to them. DOCTOR Well, yes, we all are. OR, IF BURKE SAYS "TRUE": BURKE Yeah, that's true. IF BURKE SAID THAT, OR IF HE SAID NOTHING: DOCTOR We're all used to them by now, though. REGARDLESS: The doctor lowers his clipboard. DOCTOR It's like they're status quo at this point. Very alarming. IF BURKE SAYS "MAKES MY JOB SUCK": BURKE And the resulting paperwork is just hell. DOCTOR I'd imagine. Can't help your stress level either. REGARDLESS: DOCTOR Well, at least coming here was a break from all that for you. Back to the grind, I guess? IF BURKE SAYS "YES": BURKE Yeah, back to the Bureau with me. REGARDLESS: The doctor turns around and walks towards the door. DOCTOR You can get dressed. Good seeing you, Burke. I just hope it's at the bar next time. Ha ha ha... The doctor exits the room. FADE TO: THE BUREAU OF BUREAUCRACY/AGENCY OF INTELLIGENCE AGENCY COMPOUND