Game Dialogue - How They Do It

Gamasutra has a piece on Organizing and Formatting Game Dialogue. An interesting look at one of the often overlooked parts of game creation. From the article: "Here's the deal: two weeks before your game hits beta, the lead designer on your project adds some new functionality to the game. In addition, some of the pre-rendered cinematics are changed. Nothing major, just a few cuts and additions here and there. All this requires you, the writer, to create some new dialogue for various characters in the game, including the protagonist, some of the bad guys, and some allies."

Maybe in la-la land that's what happens...

[hackwrench]

The opening scenario should never happen. It doesn't just mean that control of game production has been lost, it means that it never was there to begin with. What's up with blindly assigning filenames, and voice actors that are trying to read lines with a hoarse voice. A "master spreadsheet"? This should be a database of some sort, not to mention a version control system. "Lead designers" don't just add features, they have to be written by programmers. At the time of proposal, everyone involved should have a heads up. "Beta" is a wierd milestone to be adding new features at. Kind of turns you off the article before it gets to the potentially useful part.

Re:Maybe in la-la land that's what happens...

[GigsVT]

Have you worked for the game industry? I haven't, but how "it should be" and how it is could be two different things. I know it sure is in IT/development in my industry. It's been a long uphill battle to get better procedures in place.

Yeah, I know a lot of stuff is done wrong...

[hackwrench]

but it wasn't realistic even taking that into account. As outlined, the lack of controls in place are so bad that the project couldn't even progress to the point that the article is talking about (beta-testing) The quality control issues are so bad that if the project is leaking in that area, it would have to be leaking everywhere too.

It further serves as a bad story in that it doesn't exactly leave you wanting to read the rest of the article.

Re:Maybe in la-la land that's what happens...

[Scuff]

perhaps you noticed that the article is titled worst-case scenario?

Re:Maybe in la-la land that's what happens...

[hackerjoe]

The opening scenario should never happen.

I want to work where you work!

How They Do It

[Anne_Nonymous]

>> Game Dialogue - How They Do It

Suffice it to say that all your vocabulary are belong to us.

Game dialogue?

[earthbound kid]

So, you want to know about GAME DIALOGUE? There are rumors that if you PRESS X, you can learn more about GAME DIALOGUE from THE OLD MAN IN DIAOLG VILLAGE. Of course, these are just rumors. I am too wizened of a cliche not to dismiss them out of hand. An N. P. C. like myself wouldn't know anything about it. Just remember PRESS START when you want to read this again.

Do you want me to explain that again?

>YES< NO

if you're searching for good game dialogue audio

[porksoda]

you need not look further than Grim Fandango [imdb.com].

Re:if you're searching for good game dialogue audi

[sharopolis]

Yeah, the dialogue in grim fandango and quite a few of the other Lucas Arts titles is fantastic, but a part from them good dialogue is this in the ground.

I don't know much about writing and I've got no experience in acting, but frankly I think I could personally produce and perform a better script than most games have. In fact I think I could probably improvise better vioceovers whilst drunk than what appears in many othewise quality titles.

I don't know why they bother, you're better off with no vioce a

Re:if you're searching for good game dialogue audi

[geminidomino]

"I hope this is not... Chris' blood..."

*Shoots Barry*

What's your favorite dialogue?

[CrazyJim1]

My favorite's always been: That was left handed!