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