Premise Wiki Week 5
"It's the game that you couldn't quit." - A Skype call // Yee Hui Wong
Script (*see attached for formatted script)
EXT. THE RUIN. EVENING
The sun is almost set. The sky is a mix between purple, red and dark blue. The ruin is built with broken pillars and walls. Underneath the ruin is a desert.
The wind is howling.
The AI is a blue glowing globe floating in the air. She moves so slow and repetitive as nothing can affect her. She sends out a calming vibe to those around her.
The WARRIOR NPC is climbing up the ruin. His clothing is ripped. His body is covered in bruises and blood. When he is finally standing in front of the AI, he is already out of breath. He sticks his sword into the ground.
AI
It’s a game that you couldn’t quit.
The sudden voice of AI shocks the WARRIOR NPC. He shudders and then frowns at the robotic sound. He stands back up, places one of his hands on the sword to support his weakened body. His eyes are on the ground.
WARRIOR
But I’m willing to try.
The WARRIOR NPC’s voice is low but stable. He changes his body posture and looks directly into the blue glowing globe.
WARRIOR
I want to start a real life. No obeying orders. No being manipulated.
The AI is still glowing. The WARRIOR NPC does not back down. He straightens his back even more.
Suddenly, a bright light wave emerges from the body of the AI. It covers them both within seconds.
When the light fades, the WARRIOR NPC disappears. The AI is still floating in the air, slowly and repetitively.
AI
The 999th time.
The light of the AI flickers.
AI
Just try once more, my child. And the system will break apart.
There is a ‘999’ written underneath all the glowing and there are cracks everywhere.
The world becomes quiet again.
Only the wind is still howling.
FOLIO DOCUMENTATION
This work examines the idea of not giving up and the relationship between players and the NPCs in games. By using the medium of animation, I am able to manipulate the environment and lighting easier. Also, I can match the timing of the character’s movement to the VFX without having to put in a lot of effort like in a live-action movie.
This idea of the work is similar to the movie ‘The Matrix’ (1999), where the protagonist finds out the truth about the simulated reality world he is living in, and teams up with the rebels to free human out of the control of intelligent machines. A similar idea of awakened NPC also exists in a role-playing game ‘DOKI DOKI Literature Club!’.
By reading ‘The Screenwriter’s Problem Solver’ written by Syd Field, I reflected on the importance of having plots that push the story forward instead of having a bunch of meaningless dialogue. Thinking through this, I decided to keep my script brief but comprehensive. Also, after reading through ‘Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art’ written by Scott McCloud, I decided to create a story thumbnails with text to explain and convey my idea better.
Downloads:
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Download File: 1586347848_script-the-end.pdf