Dead Weight Script Sample
Dead Weight was co-written with Allie Querengesser. As such, we broke up the work based on the "main" conversations and what core or NPC dialogue was necessary. Not all the dialogue made it into the game, but we focused on the idea that dialogue must not only have swift pacing, fit our technological constraints and style of game, and be meaningful. This is a sample of my portion of the game's dialogue.
Boss Death Dialogue Needs to:
Introduce context (killed boss because of firing)
Introduce NPC coming to check
Introduce hide body or game over immediately.
With NPC, two/three options. If you tell truth, game over.
Boss: Intro [Dialogue Box]
<<Start Black>>
“There’s no delicate way to put it but our company has a future. ”
“However, you’re not apart of it. Pack your things and security will escort you-”
“What are you doing… Wait-STOP-”
<<Fade into Level>>
NPC Wanderer: Before entering room (Warning) [Callout]
“Hello? Can I come in?”
NPC (Wanderer): Didn’t hide the body [ Dialogue Box]
[Wanderer-Shocked Face]
“I heard a noise, is everything...Ahh-AHHHHHHHHHH”
“SOMEONE HELP! THERE’S BEEN A MURDER!” [GAME OVER]
NPC (Wanderer): Hid the body [ Dialogue Box]
[Wanderer-Neutral face]
“I heard a noise, is everything alright? Where’s the Chief?”
Player Option 1: I killed him.
[Wanderer-Shocked Face]
“‘Killed’? What do you mean you killed him!? You couldn’t have..”
“SOMEONE HELP! THERE’S BEEN A MURDER!” [GAME OVER]
Player Option 2: I accidentally knocked over Mr. Nickles’ llama paperweight.
“Jeezus, the Chief is going to pitch a fit. Why’d you have to go and touch it in the first place?”
“Anyway, I actually need to see the Chief ASAP. I have to give him the Bernie report before the weekend. He’s got to be around somewhere...” [CONTINUE]
NPC (Wanderer): Generic [Callout]
“...grumble...how hard is it to not touch the dumb paperweight...grumble”
“...mrrrgh...wanted it ASAP but can’t be bothered to…”
“...grumble...where is he?”
NPC (Wanderer): Warning [Callout]
“Hey, what was that?”
NPC (Wanderer): Caught [Callout]
“SOMEONE HELP! THERE’S BEEN A MURDER!” [GAME OVER]
