The authors of Remedium and "Remember" on game scripts, essays by screenwriters and narrative designers

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Creating your first game script is a task that requires creativity and an understanding of the fundamentals of game design. We reached out to professional game writers, narrative designers, writers, and independent developers to share their experiences. As a result, we've compiled eight essays containing helpful tips for those looking to get started in this field. These recommendations will help beginners understand the key aspects of game scriptwriting and inspire them to create engaging stories for their games.

This article is the first part of a series dedicated to the secrets of game script development. In this article, narrative designers Vitaly Aleksashin and Artemy Kotov, as well as writer Nika Miloserdova, share their knowledge and methods. You'll learn the key aspects of creating engaging and memorable game stories that capture players' attention and create a unique gaming experience.

Scream School curator, narrative designer, and media content producer with experience working on projects such as Shadow Fight 2, Vector 2, and "Remember..." I have deep knowledge of creating engaging stories and developing medical content, which allows me to effectively manage projects and lead teams to successful results. My experience includes both artistic and technical direction, making me a versatile specialist in media production and narrative design.

The first script for a video game should be developed once you have a clear idea of ​​how the gameplay will unfold. Many aspiring screenwriters believe that the foundation of a successful script lies in complex verbal constructions and unexpected plot twists. However, in the world of video games, everything begins with the gameplay mechanics. Understanding how players will interact with the game is key to creating an engaging and logically sound script. A writer must consider the specifics of gameplay to ensure a harmonious blend of story and mechanics, ultimately resulting in an engaging gaming experience.

In many educational institutions specializing in IT and game design, course instructors emphasize the importance of creating simple and intuitive mechanics. Every game includes a task, a pattern for completing it, and the outcome of the player's actions, creating an interactive experience. Modern popular projects are often based on basic game mechanics that even children can understand: jumping, running, shooting, hide-and-seek, and so on. Although this may seem obvious, it is the development of unique mechanics that presents challenges for video game writers. This is because the game narrative is directly dependent on the mechanics: it is important to understand why the player performs certain actions in the game. Creating a coherent and engaging narrative requires careful consideration of mechanics, as they shape not only the gameplay but also the player's emotional connection with the game.

In Echo, the protagonist's actions directly impact the gameplay. Warrior bots mimic the player's movements, creating a unique narrative—the player becomes their own rival. Our story develops based on this principle, because when the player competes against themselves, the scenario's conflict takes on a completely new dynamic. This approach allows for a deeper exploration of self-rivalry and internal struggle, making the gameplay more engaging and multi-layered.

An example of an interesting project is Dave Perry's game called Messiah. In this game, the main character, Bob, appears as a harmless angelic doll in diapers. The key mechanic is Bob's ability to inhabit any body. Outside of the human shell, he is defenseless and can die even from a simple blow, which gives the game a unique take on the genre and scenario. We are creating a story about a creature that can become omnipotent if the player has luck and the necessary skills. The plot develops based on the character's personality, their abilities, and traits that can both help and hinder their adventures.

To create your first video game script, start by thinking about the gameplay and why it might interest players. Then develop a plot rationale that aligns with the game mechanics. With the existing constraints, you'll be able to more easily craft a story, as the script will be integrated into the gameplay rather than existing separately. This will create a more engaging and holistic experience for players, where the plot and mechanics interact with each other.#VALUE!

Remedium is a unique game available on Steam that offers players a thrilling adventure in a world full of secrets and dangers. The game combines action and role-playing elements, allowing players to immerse themselves in a captivating story and explore diverse locations. In Remedium, players can customize their characters, upgrade their skills and abilities, and battle a variety of enemies. The game stands out for its stylish visuals and thoughtful gameplay, making it an ideal choice for fans of the genre. By purchasing Remedium on Steam, you gain access to high-quality content and regular updates, ensuring long-term gaming enjoyment. Don't miss the chance to become part of this captivating world; join the community and discover all that Remedium has to offer.

The official Sobaka Studio page on VKontakte offers the latest news, updates, and information about our projects. By subscribing to our group, you'll gain access to exclusive content and be the first to know about new releases and events. Join us to stay up-to-date with the latest events and interact with our creative team.

The editor and narrative designer play a key role in creating high-quality content. The editor is responsible for reviewing and improving the text, ensuring it meets quality standards and stylistic requirements. Their job is to correct grammatical and spelling errors, as well as improve the structure and logic of the presentation.

The narrative designer, in turn, focuses on building engaging stories and interactions within the content. They develop plotlines, characters, and dialogue, thereby creating an immersive experience for the audience. The work of a narrative designer requires a deep understanding of user psychology and storytelling skills.

The collaboration between the editor and narrative designer allows for the creation of harmonious and engaging content that retains the audience's attention and promotes their engagement. Effective editing and a strong narrative contribute to improved SEO rankings, as keywords and phrases embedded in the text help improve search engine visibility. It's important to remember that high-quality content not only attracts users but also promotes their retention, which in turn positively impacts the overall success of the project.

It's important to understand that each genre and specific case requires different tools, and there's no universal algorithm. For example, literary language, rich in descriptions and turns of phrase, may be appropriate for party-based role-playing games or visual novels, but it may be ineffective for action games. In fantasy and sci-fi, detailed and clearly defined lore is key, while in mystical horror, excessive detail can ruin the atmosphere of tension and fear. Each genre requires its own approach, and understanding this is an essential step in creating quality content.

The first piece of advice is to explore a variety of screenwriting tools and determine which ones are suitable for your project. To do this, we recommend thoroughly analyzing similar games, as well as familiarizing yourself with specialized literature, blogs, and websites. This approach will help transform abstract ideas into concrete and understandable tools that don't rely on mythical "talent" or inspiration.

However, it's important not to overdo it. Some people get too carried away with the preparatory work, compiling an extensive list of literature and immersing themselves in it without moving on to practical work. A theoretical foundation is needed only to give a beginner a general idea of ​​​​how to proceed. It is the experience that comes with practical action that is most valuable.

To begin, select three or four sources and study them carefully. Game screenwriting is very similar to film writing, so you won't run into a shortage of literature. I recommend checking out Howard and Mably's "Screenwriting in Southern California," Linda Seger's "How to Make a Good Screenplay Great," and her "Creating Unforgettable Characters." For game design, Jesse Schell's "The Art of Game Design" and Scott Rogers' "Level Up!" are helpful. This is just the beginning of your theoretical immersion, but don't dwell on it—move on to practice as soon as possible. Practical experience will help you deepen your knowledge and skills, and the learning never ends. Nora Gal's "The Living and the Dead Word" is especially worth mentioning. This valuable guide for translators also provides a deep understanding of the art of working with language—the essential tool of any writer. This book will help you learn to write competently, effectively, and aesthetically. It's important to remember that games are closer to the film industry than to literature. David Foster Wallace might devote three pages to describing a cockroach's whiskers, but in the world of games, such an approach is inappropriate: the more compact, the better. Using precise and concise language is key to successful storytelling in interactive media.

Advice on scenario structure is important for creating high-quality content in Video games. Western drama is often based on conflict, which doesn't always apply to minimalist and "cozy" games. Instead of trying to adapt this model, it's worth considering other approaches, such as the Asian four-act structure called kishōtenketsu. This structure focuses not on conflict, but on the plot twist, which can significantly enrich the script. This approach is especially useful for both screenwriters and game designers. For example, many Nintendo games use this structure, which allows for engaging and memorable stories.

If you've decided to create your first game, the main goal is to finish the project and move on. Don't strive for perfection and don't be afraid of mistakes: your first work will not be the culmination of your creativity. This may seem obvious, but many, including me, still face this problem. Remember that every completed game is an experience that will help you become better in the future.

It's important to remember that a finished game is always better than a perfect one. This is especially true when working in a team. Your colleagues can offer a fresh perspective on the script, which will significantly simplify and speed up its revision. Frequent rewrites, creative agonies, and extended deadlines are common mistakes game writers make. The longer you work on a story, the more difficult it is to maintain objectivity and freshness. Therefore, it is important to complete projects and receive feedback to improve the quality of the script and the game as a whole.

To relax and focus on work, it is important to set yourself in the right frame of mind. Your goal is not to create something revolutionary in game writing, but to complete the assigned tasks as efficiently as possible. View your work as solving a puzzle, and the process will become significantly easier. This approach will help improve productivity and lead to the successful completion of the project.

If you find yourself in a large studio, the work process will be significantly simplified. Your mentor will introduce you to the pipeline, necessary guides, and documentation. The work will be organized in stages, providing clarity and structure. You will be required to complete tasks within the established deadlines and take into account the feedback received. This will help you quickly adapt and develop in a new environment.

If you're starting your first indie project with a new team, it's important to carefully plan all stages of development. Start with the general concept of the game and gradually move on to specific details. This will create a clear structure and avoid misunderstandings during the process. Effective planning is key to successfully completing a project and achieving your goals.

• Write several briefs that summarize the story in a couple of sentences. Choose the best one.
• Draft concept versions for the brief—a more detailed description of the story. Choose the best one again.
• Write an extended synopsis—a detailed description of the main plot points. This is the general outline of the story.
• If you have a fantasy world, be sure to describe its lore. Even if not all the information is useful in the game, it will help make the setting convincing and systematic.
• Keep a spreadsheet with profiles of all the characters, listing their main personality traits and appearance, strengths and weaknesses, as well as secrets and speech patterns. The latter will help give the characters individuality.
• Break down plot events into levels and write a detailed story outline.

The stages of writing preparation are necessary for forming a clear idea of ​​​​what story you want to tell and in what order. While it is not always possible to follow the outline strictly, having a general vision makes it much easier to make changes. It is important to remember that every element of your story must be relevant. The fewer random or irrelevant details in the narrative, the higher its quality. This applies to characters, plot events, and even dialogue. Be prepared to justify every line to make your story more compelling and memorable.

Learn to separate yourself from your work. During the creative process, situations inevitably arise where changes, shortening, or rewriting of texts is necessary. The work can be impacted by various factors, such as client feedback, deadlines, budget constraints, and technical difficulties. It is important to be mentally prepared for these challenges to avoid burnout and maintain productivity at all stages of work.