Curtis Onuczko, Duane Szafron, Jonathan Schaeffer, Maria Cutumisu, Jeff Siegel, Kevin Waugh, Allan Schumacher
Scripting the plot in a computer role-playing game requires a large number of scripts that are difficult to program, track and maintain. Game adventures often include simple plots, called side-quests, that are independent from the main plot. Side-quests are important, as they add value to the open-world appeal of the game (e.g., for acquiring experience or resources), but they still need scripts. We have designed a tool to aid in the rapid creation of side-quests. The game designer provides the game setting and a list of objects in the setting. Our tool uses this information to create an outline for the side-quests. Then we use ScriptEase, a generative design pattern tool, to generate scripts from the side-quest outlines for the Neverwinter Nights game. A game designer can also adapt these outlines after the generation process, to add value such as humour to the side-quests.
Subjects: 1.8 Game Playing 1.4 Design
Submitted: Mar 26, 2007