How to Write a Text Game Script
Video games these days are intense, both graphically and story- wise. Writing a text game script is similar in many ways to writing a movie, but because of the interactive nature of games, there are distinct differences between the way the two scripts are written. Learn how to write a text game script that game producers can use as the starting point for fully developed games with clever story lines.
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Instructions
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Write an outline for the story. Game stories are as complex and rich as movie story lines. The outline doesn't need to be detailed. A bullet list of major plot points of the game story will suffice--where the game begins and ends. Since it's a game, there will be various endings depending upon the choices players make. Be sure to write the alternate endings. Create unique characters and develop their back stories. Define the world in which your game is set. Be sure to include all of the information that players will need to know about the game world before they immerse themselves in it.
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Develop a storyboard. A storyboard is a simple graphic outline of the story to give a feel for the types of graphic scenes you'll want in the game. A storyboard doesn't have to be detailed, and the drawings don't have to be professional. Rough sketches will do. Use any size paper you want, then use a ruler to divide the paper into even squares. Draw rough sketches of the story in each of these squares in the order they will be presented in the story.
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Write cut scenes in script form. Cut scenes are the scenes between game play action when the game player watches a cinematic presentation of part of the story. These cut scenes are used to set up different stages of game play and are usually rich in graphics and story. You can write these cut scenes in standard script form, with action and dialogue only. Describe the visual elements of the cut scene in detail. Write in any special sound effects, including music, that will be included in the game.
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Make a flow chart. The flow chart will be the main blueprint script developers will use to create the game. The flow chart breaks game action down into sections that define the action and indicates where the game will lead, depending upon the choices the player makes. Each section block should describe what's going on in the game at that moment, including everything the game player will see. Connect the section blocks (or game scenes). Each new block should take the story in a different direction. This is the blueprint game programmers will use to advance the story and create the appropriate visual action.
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Ensure that each story choice players can make is outlined in the flow chart and that each cut scene is written where it appears. Clearly label cut scenes as such to alert game programmers to them.
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