iap 494: scriptwriting for games - arizona state university

IAP 494: Scriptwriting For Games

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IAP 494: SCRIPTWRITING FOR GAMES

SESSION B: SPRING 2021 ONLINE

OR FACE TO FACE (ASU SYNC OPTION)

9:00 AM - 10:15 AM

West CLCC 229

(YOU ONLY HAVE TO ATTEND THE MODE YOU SIGNED UP

FOR)

Professor Name: Theresa Devine E-Mail Address: [email protected] Office Phone: 602-543-2814 (I never use this) Office: FAB N201A West campus Skype: theresadevine Mail Code: 2151 Office Hours: Available online on Mondays

from 9 am-noon. Note: the best way to contact me is to send me a text on Facebook Messenger.

https://www.facebook.com/Xylic (Xylic is my gamer tag) Class portal (Canvas): https://webapp4.asu.edu/myasu/

Click on the link from your “My Classes” tab for this semester Recommended Pre-requisites: C or better in FMS 394 Video Games and Narrative or IAP 362: Games and Narratology AND ENG 101, 107, or 105. Course Description: This course builds on design techniques for the writing of nonlinear and interactive stories in the video game development process and focuses on scriptwriting for games. It covers the work of a Narrative Designer and the art of balancing story and gameplay. It asks the questions: How can your story be interactive? How can the players influence the story to create their own unique story? Which game mechanic obstacles can be used to portray the story obstacles of the player-character? What is the story the player will experience? Course Objectives

1. Discover and formulate a personal premise, to emphasize the student’s own creative work

2. Create a portfolio of short narrative works that includes Character Design, Dialogue, and World Building.

3. Develop a cinematic script using a modified traditional script format.

4. Familiarization with writing custom samples for job applications as a Narrative Designer.

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**Disclaimer**This syllabus is to be used as a guideline only. The information provided is a summary of topics to be covered in the class.Information contained in this document such as assignments, grading scales, due dates, office hours, required books and materials may be froma previous semester and are subject to change. Please refer to your instructor for the most recent version of the syllabus.


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5.Demonstrate a command of the language pertaining to Narrative Design and be able to describe the role of a Narrative Designer Course Work Evaluation: There are weekly Savepoints. At each Savepoint the student acquires Experience Points [EXP] and Healthpoints [HP]. The projects for this class are focused on the narrative pipeline: Overview of points: Portfolio: 100 World Building: 100 Character Design: 100 Dialogue: 100 Cinematic Script: 450 Custom writing sample: 50 Midterm: 50 Final: 50 Group Discussion: 500 [33%] Module 1: Savepoint 1 [50 Experience Points]: Establish your Premise, Theme, and Purpose. Create a portfolio website to populate throughout the semester. Upload your design documents that you created in your previous game design courses or if you don’t have one, you need to start it. Savepoint 2: [100 Experience Points] Review the structure of your game and story. What is your game world like? Begin world building from the “macro” and “micro” level. Use research and experience to inspire your world building for a more authentic player experience. How can the environment influence the narrative? Module 2: Savepoint 3: [100 Experience Points] Now that you know more about your world. Research and develop a character design for each of the four (4) types of Player-Characters: Cipher [sometimes known as a ‘Blank Slate’], Fixed Character, Customizable Character, and Fixed Background- Customizable Character. When might you use each of the character types in your game? [HP1: Group Discussion 100 points] Savepoint 4: [100 Experience Points] Become aware of the difference between Ambient and Interactive Dialogue. Research the dialogue of award winning movie and television writers. Write a spreadsheet of Grunts, Barks and Banters for a scene in your game. How can your story be interactive? Write the Opening Hook, the First HPC Hub, the First Player Hub, Further Hubs, and the Immediate Goal. Module 3: Savepoint 5: [100 Experience Points] Which game mechanic obstacles can be used to portray the story obstacles of the player-character? Research award winning narrative games that integrate mechanics ans story well. Begin to work on your Cinematic Script using the structure of your game and story that you developed in FMS 394: Video Games and Narrative or IAP 362: Games and Narratology, your Character Designs, and your Dialogues. Savepoint 6: [50 Experience Points] Continue to work on your Cinematic Script. Research, think about and implement Narrative Spaces that account for player attention span. How can the players influence the story to create their own unique story? [HP2: Group Discussion 100 points]

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Module 4: Savepoint 7: [50 Experience Points] Midterm, Writing Test as you would experience when you apply for a job as a Narrative Designer. Savepoint 8: [50 Experience Points] Continue to work on your Cinematic Script. Drawing from non-linear literature think about these questions: What is the story the player will experience? How is that experience shaped by perspective created by the order of events? Module 5: Savepoint 9: [50 Experience Points] Continue to work on your Cinematic Script. Peer review feedback and critique. ? [HP3: Group Discussion 100 points] Savepoint 10: [50 Experience Points] Continue to work on your Cinematic Script. Module 6: Savepoint 11: [50 Experience Points] Research a company you would like to work for as a Narrative Designer and write a custom piece for their Intellectual Property with the intention to use it for a job application at that company. Savepoint 12: [50 Experience Points] Continue to work on your Cinematic Script. Peer review feedback and critique. ? [HP4: Group Discussion 100 points] Module 7: Savepoint 13: [100 Experience Points] Continue to work on your Cinematic Script. Polish and shine. Savepoint 14: [50 Experience Points] Final exam, Writing Test as you would experience when you apply for a job as a Narrative Designer. Savepoint 15: [50 Experience Points] Final polish of your portfolio website. ? [HP5: Group Discussion 100 points] Attendance Policy: This class is project based so your grade is entirely based on your work. However, you are expected to log in and participate in any course discussion, peer review processes, and Skype or in person meetings unless an ASU recognized religious holiday, documented emergency, or illness prevents you from coming. Email me a doctor's note or proof of your need to attend a religious holiday to avoid affecting your grade.

a. excused absences related to religious observances/practices that are in accord with ACD 304–04, “Accommodation for Religious Practices”

b. excused absences related to university sanctioned events/activities that are in accord with ACD 304–02, “Missed Classes Due to University-Sanctioned Activities”

TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE = 1000 points Health Points (HP) will be worth 500. (this is attendance and participation) Experience Points (EXP) will be worth 1500. Minimum Points required to get an A = 1410 points. Level Health points (HP) Experience points (EXP) Total Points Letter Grade /Percentage Level 10 500 1000 1455 - 1500 A+ 100% to 97% Level 9 Any combination of HP and EXP that add up to the

total points for the Letter grade that corresponds. 1410 - 1454 A <97% to 94%

Level 8 1350 - 1409 A- <94% to 90% Level 7 1305 - 1349 B+ <90% to 87%

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Level 6 1260 - 1304 B <87% to 84% Level 5 1200 - 1259 B- <84% to 80% Level 4 1140 - 1199 C+ <80% to 76% Level 3 1050 - 1139 C <76% to 70% Level 2 900 - 1049 D <70% to 60% Level 1 0 - 899 E <60% to 00% The instructor is the final arbiter of all grades for the class. Note that you are responsible for your earning your own game points. It takes 10,000 hours to become an expert in anything – that is 5 years at 40 hours a week (with a 2-week vacation). You will have approx. 9835 more hours to go when you leave this class. The total number of hours for each 3-credit course that the university requires is 135 hours. This hourly requirement is set by the AZ Board of Regents that governs ASU. I am expecting 18 hours of study each week to fulfill the ASU and ABOR requirement. Course Textbooks Required for all students: The Game Narrative Toolbox (Focal Press Game Design Workshops) By: Tobias Heussner, Toiya Kristen Finley, Jennifer Brandes Hepler, Ann Lemay File Size: 4210 KB Print Length: 262 pages Simultaneous Device Usage: Up to 4 simultaneous devices, per publisher limits Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (June 5, 2015) Publication Date: June 5, 2015 Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC Language: English ASIN: B00YY64RGE Text-to-Speech: Enabled X-Ray: Not Enabled Word Wise: Not Enabled Lending: Not Enabled Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled

All additional readings and videos I provide to enhance the learning process. Writing centers:

https://tutoring.asu.edu/writing-centers ASU students can schedule a 30-minute, in-person appointment for one-on-one writing tutoring. Writing tutoring for walk-ins may be limited and is subject to tutor availability. Please be sure to call the appropriate campus writing center if you need to change or cancel your appointment. Downtown Phoenix | 602-496-0354 Polytechnic | 480-727-1452 Tempe | 480-965-4272 West | 602-543-6169 Please bring the following to your tutoring appointment:

• your ASU Sun Card (you will need to check in and present your ID) • your assignment instructions

a printed draft, if you have one Instructor Absence Policy:

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Students should wait for an absent instructor 15 minutes in class sessions of 90 minutes or less, and 30 minutes for those lasting more than 90 minutes, unless directed otherwise by someone from the academic unit. Academic Integrity and Student Code of Conduct: Besides academic performance, students should exhibit the qualities of honesty and integrity. Every student is expected to produce his/her original, independent work. Any student whose work indicates a violation of the ASU Academic Misconduct Policy including cheating, plagiarism, and dishonesty will be subject to disciplinary action. Plagiarism is defined as deliberately passing off someone else’s words or ideas as your own. All necessary and appropriate sanctions will be issued to all parties involved with plagiarizing any and all course work. Plagiarism and any other form of academic dishonesty that is in violation with the Student Code of Conduct will not be tolerated. Arizona State University and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts expect the highest standards of academic integrity from all students. Failure to meet these standards may result in suspension or expulsion from the university or other sanctions as specified in the ASU Student Academic Integrity Policy (http://provost.asu.edu/academicintegrity), “[e]ach student must act with honesty and integrity, and must respect the rights of others in carrying out all academic assignments.” This policy also defines academic dishonesty and sets a process for faculty members and colleges to sanction dishonesty. Violations of this policy fall into five broad areas that include but are not limited to:

· Cheating on an academic evaluation or assignments · Plagiarizing · Academic deceit, such as fabricating data or information · Aiding Academic Integrity Policy violations and inappropriately collaborating · Falsifying academic records

I sanction any incidents of academic dishonesty in my courses using University and HIDA guidelines. Should you have any question about whether or not something falls subject to this clause, feel free to contact me or review the university policy on academic integrity at the above link. Per ASU policy, a student may not avoid the consequences of academic dishonesty by withdrawing from a course, and may be placed back in the course in order to face sanctions resulting from academic integrity violations. You are responsible for abiding by this policy.

Copyright: Students must refrain from uploading to any course shell, discussion board, or website used by the course instructor or other course forum, material that is not the student's original work, unless the students first comply with all applicable copyright laws; faculty members reserve the right to delete materials on the grounds of suspected copyright infringement. A statement that the course content, including lectures and other handouts, is copyrighted material. Students may not share outside the class, upload, sell, or distribute course content or notes taken during the conduct of the course (see ACD 304–06, “Commercial Note Taking Services” for more information). Students must refrain from uploading to any course shell, discussion board, or website used by the course instructor or other course forum, material that is not the student's original work, unless the students first comply with all applicable copyright laws; faculty members reserve the right to delete materials on the grounds of suspected copyright infringement. THIS CONTENT IS PROTECTED AND MAY NOT BE SHARED, UPLOADED, SOLD, OR DISTRIBUTED. Student Conduct: ASU adheres to a university-wide Student Code of Conduct. The philosophy behind this policy states: The aim of education is the intellectual, personal, social, and ethical development of the individual. The educational process is ideally conducted in an environment that encourages reasoned discourse, intellectual honesty, openness to constructive change and respect for the rights of all individuals. Self-discipline and a respect for the rights of others in the university community are necessary for the fulfillment of such goals. The Student Code of Conduct is designed to promote this environment at each of the state universities. You are expected

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to treat your instructor and your fellow classmates with respect and kindness. In all correspondence and in Discussion Board postings, you should show respect for the viewpoints of others who may disagree with you or see things from a different perspective. Criticizing, ridiculing, insulting, or belittling others will not be accepted. Keep in mind that electronic communications do not have the advantage of nonverbal cues that are so much a part of interpersonal communication. Humor or satire can sometimes be misinterpreted in strictly electronic communication forums. Threatening or disruptive behavior: Self -discipline and a respect for the rights of others in the classroom or studio and university community are necessary for a conducive learning and teaching environment. Threatening or violent behavior will result in the administrative withdrawal of the student from the class. Disruptive behavior may result in the removal of the student from the class. Threatening, violent, or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated in this class, and will be handled in accordance with ASU policy. For more information please visit: https://eoss.asu.edu/dos/srr/PoliciesAndProcedures and https://eoss.asu.edu/dos/safety/ThreateningBehavior. Title IX: Title IX is a federal law that provides that no person be excluded on the basis of sex from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity. Both Title IX and university policy make clear that sexual violence and harassment based on sex is prohibited. An individual who believes they have been subjected to sexual violence or harassed on the basis of sex can seek support, including counseling and academic support, from the university. If you or someone you know has been harassed on the basis of sex or sexually assaulted, you can find information and resources at http://sexualviolenceprevention.asu.edu/faqs/students. Policy on Sexual Discrimination: Policy on sexual discrimination as described in ACD 401, "Prohibition Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation", including the fact that the instructor is a mandated reporter and therefore obligated to report any information regarding alleged acts of sexual discrimination. Arizona State University is committed to providing an environment free of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for the entire university community, including all students, faculty members, staff employees, and guests. ASU expressly prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation by employees, students, contractors, or agents of the university based on any protected status: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and genetic information. As an employee of ASU, I am a mandated reporter and obligated to report instances of reported or suspected incidences of sexual harassment. Classroom Behavior (Technology Usage): It is encouraged that you bring technology (cell phones, tablets and laptops) to class to help you take notes and do research, however please turn off cell phone ringers and do not use your phone to make personal calls in class or use any technology to use social media in class. Do not answer your phone in class. If you believe you are receiving an emergency call, please step outside to take it. Withdrawal: If you are unable to complete the course, it is your responsibility to arrange for withdrawal from the class. You will not be automatically withdrawn and unless you are officially withdrawn from the course you will receive a final grade based upon the total points you have earned for the semester. Students are required to pay all tuition and fees for any registered course unless enrollment is officially cancelled during the 100% refund period. Please visit the Academic Calendar to review the withdrawal deadlines for this semester. For more information on Drop/Add and Withdrawl visit:https://students.asu.edu/drop-add

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Inclusion Policy for Persons with a Diversability:

The University is committed to providing quality education to all students. Determining appropriate inclusive actions for a diversability is a collaborative process. To advocate for yourself as a student with a diversability you must register with Disability Services and provide documentation. The course instructor must provide information regarding a course's content, methods, and essential components. The combination of this information will be used by Disability Resource Center to determine appropriate inclusive actions for a student in a particular course.

For more information, please reference the Disability Resource Center: https://eoss.asu.edu/drc

Inclusion is a collaborative process between all people, please look over disability etiquette guidelines to learn the proper propriety: http://www.moderndisability.com/business/GenEtiquette.biz.html http://www.moderndisability.com/business/HelpingEtt.biz.html http://nationaldisabilitynavigator.org/ndnrc-materials/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-17/

Disability Support Services: Students with disabilities must have an equally effective and equivalent educational opportunity as those students without disabilities. Students experiencing difficulty accessing course materials because of a disability are expected to contact the course instructor so that a solution can be found that provides all students equal access to course materials and technology. Qualified students with disabilities who will require disability accommodations in this class are encouraged to make their requests to me at the beginning of the semester either during office hours or by appointment. It may be difficult to make accommodations retroactively. Note: Prior to receiving disability accommodations, verification of eligibility from the Disability Resource Center (DRC) is required. Disability information is confidential. Information for Students with Disabilities: Students who feel they will need disability accommodations in this class but have not registered with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) should contact DRC immediately. Students should contact the Disability Resource Center on the campus that your class is being held. Campus-specific location and contact information can be found on the DRC website. DRC offices are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday. Check the DRC website for eligibility and documentation policies (https://eoss.asu.edu/drc) Student Rights and Responsibilities: Students must abide by all the requirements stated in this syllabus. In addition, all students should be aware of their rights and responsibilities at Arizona State University. Please reference the college catalog and student handbook for student rights and responsibilities. These can be found here: http://herbergerinstitute.asu.edu/students/undergrad/documents/student_handbook.pdf Student Services & Resources: You will find a list of student resources at: https://tutoring.asu.edu/student-resources Resources included are advisement, registration, financial aid, disability services, counseling, tutoring, library, and more. Academic Calendar and Important Dates: The academic calendar can be found here: https://students.asu.edu/academic-calendar

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Subject to change: The Instructor reserves the right to change portions of this syllabus (assignments, deadlines etc.) by verbal instructions during scheduled class time. The student is responsible for noting changes and acting accordingly. Grading and absence policies are not subject to change. Computer, Internet, and Electronic Communications Policy: http://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd125.html Missed Classes Due to University Sanctioned Activities: http://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd304-02.html Accommodations for Religious Practices: http://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd304-04.html Handling Disruptive, Threatening, or Violent Individuals on Campus: http://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/ssm/ssm104-02.html For more information, refer to: www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd304-10.html. University Course Guidelines can be found here: https://provost.asu.edu/curriculum-development/changemaker/syllabus-guidelines IMPORTANT UNIVERSITY DATES Please make a note of these important dates during the fall 2019 semester:

Session Dates and Deadlines Session A: 7.5 weeks

(Jan 13 – Mar 03)

Session B: 7.5 weeks (Mar 16 – May 01)

Session C: 15 weeks (Jan 13 – May 01)

Classes Begin Jan 13, 2020 Mar 16, 2020 Jan 13, 2020 Drop/Add Deadline Jan 14, 2020 Mar 17, 2020 Jan 19, 2020 Tuition and Fees 100% Refund Deadline

Jan 19, 2020 Mar 22, 2020 Jan 19, 2020

Course Withdrawal Deadline Jan 31,2020 Apr 03, 2020 Apr 05, 2020 Complete Session Withdrawal Deadline

Mar 03,2020 May 01, 2020 May 01, 2020

Fall Break March 08-15, 2020 Final Grades Due Mar 06, 2020 May 04-11, 2020 May 04-11, 2020 For additional university deadlines and important dates for the Spring 2020 term, please visit: students.asu.edu/academic-calendar.

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iap 494: scriptwriting for games - arizona state university

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