I know what scripts are in the literal sense, but what do game designers mean when they refer to these? Is it a script as in dialouge between characters and actions throughout the game? Is it a script of events and actions that need to take place in the game (similar, but not the same)? What exactly is in a script that fills up hundreds of pages? Zaptruder

Scripts?...well it really depends on the particular game, as "scripts" are basicly a genaric concept...

For example...take a Final Fantasy like RPG...a "script" in such a game could be used for generateing those infamous ''cutscenes''...basicly the script acts as a set of instructions that the game engine acts upon..."move this charactor over here", "bring up a message box that says ''Hello, Jake''", "move other charactor over here"..etc...

In other games like many FPS (Quake, Unreal, etc.) the game "script" usualy contains gameplay specific instructions...stuff like the A.I. for the bad guys and such...by modifying these "scripts" a game MOD can be made (well..in addition to useing new models, textures, levels and such).

Game "scripts" come in many forms...they can be simple TEXT files that the game engine reads from...they can be "compiled" from a TEXT file source into some form of "game engine language" that is designed to work with the particular game engine...They can also actualy be written in programing languages like C, C++, JAVA and compiled into a DLL that the game engine links to...the options are almost limitless

hope that helps.

alright yeah... I knew what the various forms of scripts there were...

but when a game designer puts pen to paper (literally or just on word) and calls that part of the design - script - what''s he refering to?

Just wondering, because someone mentioned there script and game design document weighing in at 750 pages, 150 without the script.

As far as that goes, I''d say that a script is a set of written symbols that carry instructions as to how things should be carried out.

So, those scripts you refer to include everything you mentioned, and probablly a lot more.

And I think the definition above even covers the idea of scripts as code objects too.

I''m pretty sure the script, in the case you meantioned, was referring to the story and dialog and possibly some descriptions of locales. Or maybe simply the flow of events through the game.

That''d be my guess though.

My attempt to define script:
A form of programming code (not always turing complete), usually interpretted, that can perform some actions specific to a game/app, and that is treated as a resource and can therefore be changed/added to after the program has been compiled.

quote: Original post by Zaptrudr
alright yeah... I knew what the various forms of scripts there were...

but when a game designer puts pen to paper (literally or just on word) and calls that part of the design - script - what''s he refering to?

Just wondering, because someone mentioned there script and game design document weighing in at 750 pages, 150 without the script.

Okay now I see what you meen...I suppose that a "script" in a game design document is a bit like a "script" used in movies/TV shows, rather then a generic programing concept...it''s useing the same term to meen two different things...no wonder there is confusion

Check out the book "Swords and Circuitry" for an example of a script. It''s basically like a movie script with "Choose Your Own Adventure" thrown in.

Example:

Characters walk into a room and see HeadBadGuy. They talk. HeadBadGuy explains his Ultimate Plan For World Domination. Battle Begins.

If Characters found SuperWeapon, go to Scene 17a
If Characters didn''t find SuperWeapon, go to Scene 17b

Semantics are a cruel thing. If you want people to be clear on what your ideas are at the least, try adotping a few clearer terms like Scripted Events, Gamestory, Scripted Engines. These probably are more clear.

-> Will Bubel
-> Machine wash cold, tumble dry.