ScriptEase: Writing Stories for Computer Role-Playing Games
Project Participants
Duane Szafron Jonathan Schaeffer Mike CarbonaroStephanie Gillis
Matthew McNaughton Curtis OnuczkoThomas RoyMaria Cutumisu
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Goal Provide a simple visual tool that
enables a game designer to generate a complex story for a computer role-playing game (CRPG)
These games are the next generation technology for interactive entertainment
They transform linear written stories into 3D interactive adventures
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Neverwinter Nights (NWN)
BioWare Corp.
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Aurora Toolset
NeverwinterNights
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ScriptEase
Aurora Toolset
NeverwinterNights
New!
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Neverwinter Nights Game
Script
ScriptEase
Automatic CodeGeneration
Play
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2Aurora Toolset
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Step 1: Aurora Toolset – Create the World The module is created using the
Aurora toolset We create a room, we place a chest, a
tree, a non-player character (NPC), a cold damage source, a tree light, a chest light, a chest
Any other suggestions?
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NWN - Play!
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Manual Scripting vs. ScriptEase CRPGs involve large virtual worlds
with thousands of characters Designers often need programmers to
write their scripts We provide designers with a visual
scripting tool based on patterns: ScriptEase
Example: pull lever - open door
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ScriptEase Abstraction Patterns are recurrent themes in stories They are re-usable and independent of a
particular story Each pattern has options (a specific lever, a
specific door) The designer only chooses the pattern and
picks the desired options relevant to the particular story
ScriptEase generates the code automatically
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Sample Patterns Encounter Patterns
Item Container Barrier Perimeter Damage Source Use Placeable Open Container
Behavior Patterns: Guard Bar Scene – (work in progress)
Plot Patterns Dialog Patterns
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Step 2: ScriptEase – Write the Story The module is scripted, i.e., the story
is written We add several patterns, such as
open chest – spawn creature, enter/exit trigger - barrier
Any other suggestions?
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Step 3: NWN - Play!
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Conclusions The stories are created by game
designers, not only by programmers using ScriptEase
ScriptEase provides the means to write stories in a non-linear manner
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Project Information The ScriptEase version available on
the web has more than 10000 downloads so far
ScriptEase web page: http://www.cs.ualberta.ca/~script