Way back when, video games didn’t have scripts; they didn’t have actors voicing parts, either. But now they do and take a read here to see some great video game scripts examples and tips whether you’re a writer or voice artist.
What makes a video game script awesome?
Video games have made huge leaps over the past years and decades, growing from simple shapes on a screen to amazing storytelling mediums with characters, plots, and settings. The beautiful graphics enhance the place, and the character’s lines add that much more to a game.
Here’s what The Gamer has to say about video game scripts:
It might be strange to consider the idea that video games weren’t always thought of as effective storytelling mediums, especially during the industry’s early years. But today, it’s practically laughable to say that they aren’t. It could even be argued that they surpass conventional avenues such as literature or film by involving the audience in a way that other mediums simply cannot.
And it’s true, gamers have great connections to their characters, and by including great scripts, that connection can be even stronger. And it’s not only up to the writers to create these awesome words, but it’s also up to the voice artist to convey them.
For both positions, it’s beneficial to take a look at video game script examples for inspiration and creation. It’s also important to study the character and find out what they’re about. Just like a movie script or voicing a film, the character gets to come alive with the words they’ve been given and the voice that will speak them.
This post was updated in April 2021
Some great video game scripts examples
It’s not hard to find examples of great scripts. Let’s take a look at some of the great video game scripts out there, and remember it’s not just the writing, it’s also the voice acting that brings them to life.
Here’s a couple from The Walking Dead video game:
Clem: I’m really gonna miss Gabe. I mean — he’s super annoying sometimes, but… I’ve gotten used to having him around. At least, to have someone to talk to. Even if he is a total dork.
That’s just about 30 seconds of dialogues, but those few words can have an awesome impact when read just right. If you are a voice artist looking to up your game, find lines like these, and practice away. It’s not only a great idea to read them in the voice of the actual character, but create your own voices to express them, too.
Here is the same line, in a bit of a longer piece of a video game script example. This dialogue would run around a minute, and it’s got two characters. All the better to practice with. And also, for the writers out there, you can see the dynamics between the characters which is crucial in video game scripts.
Clem: I’m really gonna miss Gabe. I mean — he’s super annoying sometimes, but… I’ve gotten used to having him around. At least, to have someone to talk to. Even if he is a total dork.
Javi: Not that he said anything to me in particular, but… You know the guy’s got a mondo crush on you, right?
Clem: Agh! He does not!
Javi: Oh my gosh, you have a crush on him, too!
Clem: I do not!
Javi: Ah, you both have my blessing.
Clem: I’m going to stab you with those scissors!
From The Walking Dead: A New Frontier (game) – Season 3 Episode 5: ‘From the Gallows’ (3×05)
You can see the dialogue is concise, clear, and conversational. It sounds like real people talking; it’s not contrived or stuffy.
What makes a great video game script
Just like the characters need to have a great dynamic, so do the players with the characters. That’s what makes people want to play. They want to feel immersed in the game, part of it. And the script has the job of bringing them in.
With so many games on the market, and so many genres of games – how do you create a compelling script? What’s the magic ingredient? According to EMWelsh.com, it is that player character dynamic. This article tells us, that despite all these differences, there remains one element that every video game has and must consider—the player-character dynamic.
Those differences may be genre or combat or interactivity. But no matter what, be sure to find that dynamic. That’s what makes gamers want to play.
If you are looking at becoming a video game scriptwriter, keep that in mind. Here’s some other valuable advice from our own Bunny Studio that helps explain the role of the scriptwriter:
A video game scriptwriter is the person who works to help develop the plot and script the dialogue for a specific video game. During the pre-production of the game, your role would likely involve working to design the story for the game. Your duties would include creating the characters as well as crafting the narrative for the game. You will do this in conversation with the programmers who have to add visuals to your words.
And that’s just one more thing to think about when writing – the visuals. Your vibe has to match the vibe of the game. Think about it, if you’ve got an ethereal fantasy game going on, you’re characters are going to be much more effective matching that mystical vibe rather than just your regular guy character.
one more thing…
Another great piece of advice when it comes to writing scripts is to make them short. This writer from Game Design Lounge shares with us that you’ve got to keep the audience’s attention, just like in any other form of entertainment. He tells us, When writing dialogue, it’s good to keep in mind that some players, no matter how great your dialogue is, will simply want to get back to the action as fast as they can.
So just like the example above from The Walking Dead, keep your lines short, quick-witted, full of banter, and catchy.
Voicing video game scripts
That’s just a light sprinkling of what it means to write video game scripts, so let’s talk about what it means to voice them. Voicing a video game may not be as easy as it sounds; you’ve got a big job. Your voice not only has to match the character’s, well, characteristics, but it has to match their movements and gestures, too. For instance, if your character is running and dodging bullets, it’s up to you to show that franticness and out of breath sound in his voice. You can also use an agitated voice over. If your character is a kid seeing unicorns for the first time, that wonder and magic have to show up in her voice, too.
So how do you do that? One thing is to practice with different genres and characters to find what you do best. Here’s a couple of different scripts to show some video game script examples:
- Here’s a line from Duke Nuken that fits all the requirements above, short, catchy, and quick-witted: “It’s time to kick ass and chew bubble gum…and I’m all outta gum.”
- “You can’t break a man the way you break a dog or a horse. The harder you beat a man, the taller he stands.” – Far Cry 2
- “Time passes, people move. Like a river’s flow, it never ends. A childish mind will turn to noble ambition.” – The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Those are all super short lines, around 15 seconds or less, so they’re not taking up precious time of action. If you are a voice artist looking to get into video game voicing, work on lines like this. You’ve got just enough time to capture enough attention, give a quick look into the character, and define them even more, that’s why script proofreading can be helpful.
It’s not a bad idea to practice the lines in good voices and bad voices. Just like we said earlier to give different lines different voices, try them out with bad voices, you know, slow, boring, or just the wrong voice. See what effect that has. Perhaps you can include in your CV that you have the ability to do a smoker voice over.
For instance, here is one of Zelda’s famous lines from The Legend of Zelda.
Our world is one of balance… Just as there is light to drive away darkness, so, too, is there benevolence to banish evil.
It’s not going to sound good read in a sleepy old dude’s voice. We need Zelda’s youth and energy to make it come alive.
A couple of more tips
For writers:
After you create that awesome script, share as much as you can with your voice artist. Remember, they aren’t in your head with you and may not have the same vision as you do. But the more you can tell them about your character, their situation, their psyche, and their back story, the better the voice artist can voice them. And the more you can give them ahead of time, the fewer corrections you’ll have to give them during. This is better for everyone, so share away on your characters so your voice actors can bring them to life.
For actors:
Take care of your voice. Voicing video games is tough on the voice. There’s often a lot of action so that means yelling and strenuous sounds like running or fighting. This isn’t your average documentary. You may have to speak lower or higher than your normal voice, so you can strain it. So be kind to your voice. Rest it after voicing. Drink warm tea with honey. Don’t yell at your dog. And remember to continually do voice exercises to keep it strong and in good shape.
The bottom line on video game scripts examples
Remember, scripts bring your characters to life. Even those short, quippy lines bring them so much depth and let the players see who they are. Create that dynamic between them and other characters, and them and the players. This is a job for both the writers and voice actors. So get out those video game scripts examples and look at the good ones, look at the bad ones, and make sure yours is the great one!
