Script Doctoring - Professional Techniques for Video Game Writing - page 170

been written for him so far has been painfully generic. In order to pump up
his uniqueness and make him more interesting, do the following.
(a) Come up with a list of five words or phrases that he uses that define his
speech patterns. Think about why he always uses these five.
(b) Come up with a list of five words or phrases that he'd never use—this
alsohelpsdefinehisspeechpatternsanddiction.
(c) Write a one-paragraph monologue for the character in which he dis-
cusses dragons. At the end, look at what you've got and determine if
the character's diction, rhythm, and other speech patterns are consistent
and distinct. If they aren't, try again until you're satisfied you have the
character's distinct voice down.
(d)Onceyouhavethecharactervoicenailed,writeaten-exchangeconver-
sation between the character and a standard fantasy innkeeper wherein
both characters are happy.
(e) Now try it if the wizard is angry.
(f ) Now try it if the innkeeper is an old friend.
(g) Now try it if the innkeeper doesn't like wizards. Make sure you keep the
wizard's voice consistent throughout.
4. (Story pitches) You're doing a game based on SnowWhiteandtheSevenDwarfs
when suddenly word comes down that there's only enough time in the sched-
ule for four dwarves. How do you change the story? Write up three distinct
one-paragraph pitches detailing new approaches that will make use of the as-
sets you've got.
5. (Putting a story together) You're working on a science-fiction game, and all of
the levels are designed and in production. One is a desert planet, one is a giant
orbiting space station, one is a deserted spaceship, one is an urbanized tech-
nological utopia with a dark underside, and one is current-day Earth. Create
three possible game stories that use all of these spaces at least once.