GDC Day 1
On Monday I attended an all-day game writing tutorial taught by Evan Skolnick (Vicarious Vision). While I was familiar with the more traditional models presented (Three Act Structure, the Monomyth), I was impressed by the discussion of exposition and the inclusion of group exercises and debate in such a large setting.
Over the lunch break, Mr. Skolnick put the first Terminator film on the projector to emphasize one of his points about gradual delivery of exposition. I never realized that it takes 46 minutes to tell the audience the basic premise (At minute 46, Reese tells Sarah Connor (and the audience) that he is from the future and that she is the future mother of John Connor). Food for thought.
Anyway, I would recommend this tutorial to beginning game writers interested in learning about narrative structure through literary and cinematic models. (It seems as though this is a tutorial they try to hold each year. It certainly filled up this time around!)
Later I checked out the expo hall. It had the feel of one of those 6 hour set changes that you find in big repertory theaters- everything was under construction, people were rushing around, loading equipment, and it seemed vaguely of plastic and plywood. I can’t wait to go back when it is all completed.
Here’s a picture Daniel took of the Kid the World Saver booth: http://twitpic.com/2fknn
All the IGF finalists are together near the Nintendo display. Come visit us!