Sorry your browser is not supported!

You are using an outdated browser that does not support modern web technologies, in order to use this site please update to a new browser.

Browsers supported include Chrome, FireFox, Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer 10+ or Microsoft Edge.

FPSC Classic Product Chat / Good News For People Struggling with Storytelling

Author
Message
Le Shorte
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 6th Apr 2009
Location: Wisconsin
Posted: 27th Jun 2010 19:17
Link
Hello guys. Yesterday, I contacted John Zuur Platten. He is a professional video game writer(he's also done two "Harry and the Henderson's" episodes and the movie Venom). Some games he's written include(but are not limited to): Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay and Dark Athena, FEAR 2, Ghostbusters, Ultima IX: Ascension, Constantine, Fear Effect, Transformers: The Game, Space Chimps, Wheelman, Wanted: Weapons of Fate, etc.You get the picture? So in other words, this guy has a pretty dang good portfolio.

I've noticed a decline in the quality of stories in the WIP board lately(not saying anyone specifically) and I wanted to do something about it. I asked Platten if he would post a short guide or do a small interview(or something along the lines of that) about VG writing.

Here's his response([words] means me translating terms) :
Quote: "
Jon,

I'll do it, but it will be a couple of weeks. I'm under a crushing deadline on a few projects. I'll drop you a line once I come up for air[have a lull in projects].

Cheers,
John "


So we're getting a pro writer with a nice portfolio to teach us about VG writing. Is anyone else excited, or just me? I hope you guys are as happy about this as I am!

http://forum.thegamecreators.com/?m=forum_view&t=166194&b=25
Rads, revived for the X10 Revival on May 29th, 2010
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Flatlander
FPSC Tool Maker
18
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 22nd Jan 2007
Location: The Flatlands
Posted: 27th Jun 2010 19:55
Link
Well, I am.

Back to top
Profile PM Email
Le Shorte
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 6th Apr 2009
Location: Wisconsin
Posted: 27th Jun 2010 20:32 Edited at: 27th Jun 2010 20:32
Link
Quote: "Well, I am.
"


Excited or a pro VG writer? Or struggling with storytelling? Or all of the above...?

http://forum.thegamecreators.com/?m=forum_view&t=166194&b=25
Rads, revived for the X10 Revival on May 29th, 2010
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Nickydude
Retired Moderator
18
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 4th Nov 2006
Location: Look outside...
Posted: 27th Jun 2010 20:54
Link
Sounds great if it actually comes about.

Back to top
Profile PM
Conjured Entertainment
AGK Developer
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 12th Sep 2005
Location: Nirvana
Posted: 27th Jun 2010 21:18 Edited at: 27th Jun 2010 21:48
Link
Quote: "Excited or a pro VG writer? Or struggling with storytelling? Or all of the above...?"

I think they were responding to your..."Is anyone else excited, or just me?".

Quote: "Sounds great if it actually comes about."

Right, someone with his talents may not get a 'lull in projects' for quite some time.

It does sound like a wonderful opportunity to get tips and pointers from a pro, but I'll wait to get excited about it until it happens.

I usually have the other problem, my imagination runs wild while my lazy butt drags behind.

If you guys want some story telling advice from an underachieving amateur (until the pro can help) then I can throw out a tip or two.

1) Stick to the basics like an epic.
A likeable loner who has an internal struggle which is resolved once he/she faces their greatest fears and is victorious in a battle against overwhelming odds.
There are a lot of classics whose plot fits that basic design.

B) Sci-Fi's are limited only to your imagination, unlike the other genres that are based on realism.
I think that is why games dealing with fiction and fantasy work best, because players get to experience scenarios that we would never encounter in real life.
After all, it is a virtual reality, so why not make it larger than life?

3) Have fun with it.
Comedies are a safe bet, because there are all kinds of humor so chances are at least part of your audience will like it.
And even if they don't like it, then at least you had fun creating it.

   Conjured Entertainment

 WARNING: Intense Madness
Back to top
Profile PM Website
Metal Devil123
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 13th Jul 2008
Location: Suomi, Finland
Posted: 27th Jun 2010 22:20
Link
Yeah, well... I already got Clive Barker here as a hostage, writing the story of my newest game, so I am not impressed...

In all seriousness, this is cool! I am (what?)!

Back to top
Profile PM Email
Le Shorte
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 6th Apr 2009
Location: Wisconsin
Posted: 27th Jun 2010 22:21
Link
Quote: "
I usually have the other problem, my imagination runs wild while my lazy butt drags behind."

To keep ideas, use a journal(I call mine an Idea Mine). Write down anything that sounds like it could make it into a game. When the time comes you can fill in holes with your story or dialogue, characters, etc. with those little gold nuggets of ideas you can find within the mine(I learned this from John Zuur Platten )

To anyone who lives in England: I liked London when I went two weeks ago.
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Conjured Entertainment
AGK Developer
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 12th Sep 2005
Location: Nirvana
Posted: 27th Jun 2010 22:59 Edited at: 27th Jun 2010 23:02
Link
Quote: "To keep ideas, use a journal(I call mine an Idea Mine). Write down anything that sounds like it could make it into a game. When the time comes you can fill in holes with your story or dialogue, characters, etc. with those little gold nuggets of ideas you can find within the mine(I learned this from John Zuur Platten )"

LOL
This is wild, because I do just that, and I had a great idea just day before yesterday for a movie character that I wrote down.
I've been wanting to develop a character for a certain actor for years and never had an idea that was worthy of their fame.
Anyway, I think I finally found it, and even though I doubt I forget it because I think it is so great, I wrote it down just in case.

It sounds as if you know Mr. Platten pretty well, since he has given you advice before.

Thanks for sharing.

Quote: "I asked Platten if he would post a short guide or do a small interview(or something along the lines of that) about VG writing."

I would take advantage of this wait time if I were you, and get a list of interview questions prepared.
It would probably make your interview more productive.
Just a thought.

   Conjured Entertainment

 WARNING: Intense Madness
Back to top
Profile PM Website
Le Shorte
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 6th Apr 2009
Location: Wisconsin
Posted: 28th Jun 2010 00:11
Link
Quote: "
It sounds as if you know Mr. Platten pretty well, since he has given you advice before.
"


Not quite. Read a book he wrote

To anyone who lives in England: I liked London when I went two weeks ago.
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Bugsy
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 24th Nov 2008
Location: another place in time
Posted: 28th Jun 2010 00:27
Link
this is good news for me! it's all I can do to keep working on WWC when the story is so laughably bad, it's just an excuse for slogging through levels full of russians.

imageflock.com/img/1272671763.jpg[/img]
skype = isaacpreston. I want to talk to YOU
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Le Shorte
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 6th Apr 2009
Location: Wisconsin
Posted: 28th Jun 2010 16:41
Link
Quote: "it's all I can do to keep working on WWC when the story is so laughably bad, it's just an excuse for slogging through levels full of russians."


Eh, I didn't think the story was too bad. But then again, I had Rads out there at the time(possibly the worst story I've seen on these forums )

To anyone who lives in England: I liked London when I went two weeks ago.
Back to top
Profile PM Email
The Master Dinasty
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 14th Sep 2008
Location: Valhalla
Posted: 28th Jun 2010 18:59
Link
Well that is nice, I cant wait to hear what he has to share.


-Massap2

We are the magnificent Masters, builders of pyramids.
Back to top
Profile PM
Hamburger
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 23rd Jun 2009
Location: Grand Rapids MI
Posted: 28th Jun 2010 20:50
Link
Me too. Im totally remaking my old story so this should be helpful
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
AbdulAhad
15
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 1st Feb 2010
Location: Karachi, Pakistan
Posted: 28th Jun 2010 21:16
Link
Me too! I need help rewriting my story.

Abdul Ahad
Back to top
Profile PM Email
vortech
15
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 18th Mar 2010
Location: Finland
Posted: 28th Jun 2010 22:17
Link
Lovely idea. I like it.

Look. Flying saucer.
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Le Shorte
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 6th Apr 2009
Location: Wisconsin
Posted: 29th Jun 2010 00:04
Link
I'm glad to see people are taking a liking to this.

To anyone who lives in England: I liked London when I went two weeks ago.
Back to top
Profile PM Email
CapnBuzz
15
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 8th Jan 2010
Location:
Posted: 29th Jun 2010 00:15 Edited at: 29th Jun 2010 00:23
Link
He co-authored the book THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO VIDEO GAME WRITING AND DESIGN. It's well worth a look.

Being a screenwriter myself, I'm interested in his ideas for the transition from film media to video game media.
Back to top
Profile PM Email
The Storyteller 01
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 11th May 2009
Location: On a silent hill in dead space
Posted: 29th Jun 2010 00:22
Link
Damn!

Everytime this thread's title catches my eye, the thought flashes through my mind, that someone finally scrambled up enough money to put a hit on me....

In case you find my grammar and spelling weird ---> native German speaker ^^
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Conjured Entertainment
AGK Developer
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 12th Sep 2005
Location: Nirvana
Posted: 29th Jun 2010 00:45 Edited at: 29th Jun 2010 03:40
Link
Quote: "Everytime this thread's title catches my eye, the thought flashes through my mind, that someone finally scrambled up enough money to put a hit on me...."

That joke may have flown over a few heads that time.

Quote: "Being a screenwriter myself, I'm interested in his ideas for the transition from film media to video game media."

Interesting; it amazes me what I don't know about you guys.
I have a really hard time watching a movie without thinking what it would be like as a game. (the action ones anyway)

Quote: "He co-authored the book THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO VIDEO GAME WRITING AND DESIGN. It's well worth a look."

I'll check it out, but I can't help but find humor in getting writing advice from a co-author.
I mean, if they can't even write the book on their own... lol ...just kidding, and no offense, because I know two heads are better than one.

   Conjured Entertainment

 WARNING: Intense Madness
Back to top
Profile PM Website
Ertlov
18
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 18th Jan 2007
Location: Austria
Posted: 29th Jun 2010 01:23
Link
Nice name. he defiantely got some experience that would be nice to have shared.

http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,138949/

However, the "ultimate guide" he co-authored was not among his brightest products
It`s for sure ok for most of you to get some tricks and insights, but there is no such thing as an "ultimate" approach to WRITING.
And if you aks who the hell I am to judge, well I also wrote some books that got published, and here`s my game track record:

http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,224728/

However, the idea of such an interview is a good one, and I´m looking forward to that.

Come to where the madness is:
http://www.homegrowngames.at
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Le Shorte
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 6th Apr 2009
Location: Wisconsin
Posted: 29th Jun 2010 02:39
Link
Quote: "He co-authored the book THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO VIDEO GAME WRITING AND DESIGN. It's well worth a look."

It was a great learning tool for me.

Quote: "well I also wrote some books that got published, and here`s my game track record:"

Nice. Never would've guessed that a humble FPSC game designer would have that portfolio.

To anyone who lives in England: I liked London when I went two weeks ago.
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Bugsy
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 24th Nov 2008
Location: another place in time
Posted: 29th Jun 2010 03:08
Link
Quote: " THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO VIDEO GAME WRITING AND DESIGN"



oh, I bought that book! thanks!

imageflock.com/img/1272671763.jpg[/img]
skype = isaacpreston. I want to talk to YOU
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Conjured Entertainment
AGK Developer
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 12th Sep 2005
Location: Nirvana
Posted: 29th Jun 2010 03:33
Link
Quote: "Never would've guessed that a humble FPSC game designer would have that portfolio."

Yes, very impressive.

Quote: "the idea of such an interview is a good one, and I´m looking forward to that."

Yeah, I am really looking forward to this.
Now, I am starting to get excited about it.



   Conjured Entertainment

 WARNING: Intense Madness
Back to top
Profile PM Website
Hamburger
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 23rd Jun 2009
Location: Grand Rapids MI
Posted: 29th Jun 2010 04:08
Link
Its great to get tips from experts. I cant wait to hear from him too!
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
CapnBuzz
15
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 8th Jan 2010
Location:
Posted: 29th Jun 2010 06:29
Link
Some of us on this site have track records in other disciplines. We're just here because we love making games with FPSC!

Yes, whether I have enjoyed his games, I think Platten certainly has a lot of insights having worked so long in the industry... and I do love his book. It was an education for me.
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Le Shorte
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 6th Apr 2009
Location: Wisconsin
Posted: 29th Jun 2010 16:55
Link
Quote: "I do love his book. It was an education for me. "


Indeed. It's what gave me the heart to kill Rads

To anyone who lives in England: I liked London when I went two weeks ago.
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Back to top

Login to post a reply

Server time is: 2025-08-08 10:15:31
Your offset time is: 2025-08-08 10:15:31