Crafting a Voice Acting Script for Video Games

Working With Voice Actors
Written By Johnny Neal

A well crafted voice acting script for a video game is as important to the game developer implementing it, as it is to the actor reading it. During my time working as a voice actor I have seen scripts come through in all shapes and formats. Now there isn’t necessarily a wrong way to deliver lines to a voice actor, if we have the lines in front of us we at least know what we are meant to be saying and can usually derive context. However this being said there are certainly ways that a voice acting script can give more clarity to an actor, reduce the amount of time they spend in the booth and the number of conversations or retakes that are necessary, therefore saving game developers (especially indie game devs) a LOT of money. It can also help a game dev to be more organised and have a clearer idea of where the lines will be placed in their code, saving them time in development.

In short a good voice acting script in for a video game should do the following:

  • Provide clarity regarding a lines delivery with concise direction.

  • Provide an actor with context for the scene and/or individual line.

  • Be organised in order and with reference codes for the developer/coder.

  • It should be confined to the lines that are spoken by the individual character and not a long list including other character lines.

examples

The following are two examples of voice acting scripts:

Script Example 1

Pros:

  • A great way to lay out the script in it’s first drafts so you as the dev/writer have a comprehensive view of the scenes.

  • Contains a clear example of how the lines flow allowing you and anyone who sees it how the scene plays out.

  • Makes room for some direction.

Cons:

  • Not enough room for comprehensive direction for the actors without making the page look cluttered and hard to read.

  • Actors have to search for their lines through the script, possibly missing lines and costing production time.

  • Although it provides context for the scene, it requires the actor to read through the scene and script to gain an understanding, which during a session costs valuable time and money.

  • No clarity for the coders as to where lines should be placed in the code.

Script Example 2

Pros:

  • Clear directions for labelling to cut down time for coders.

  • The one character’s lines are present providing more clarity to the actor and ensuring a smoother session without missed lines.

    • If you want to include other characters line in the script, the lines here are clearly labelled, as it is an excel doc the actor can simply reorganise the rows to see their lines using a filter.

  • Provides room for the director to provide a more context and direction to each individual line without compromising the structure of the script.

  • Also provides room for the director or other team members to make notes on the performance and keep things organised.

Cons:

  • Doesn’t provide as much clarity when it comes to the scene’s flow.

Conclusion

So what can we take from this?

I think it’s clear that the better option for a voice acting script is Example 2. Not only does it provide greater clarity and communication between the actor and the director, cutting down the time needed for long conversations in the booth, but it also gives developers, coders and the director a tool for organising the voice lines.

Don’t get me wrong, your first draft of the script should be Example 1. The example shown is the traditional format used by screenwriters and means the writer can work in a flow without navigating an excel document, but also see the scene in its entirety to understand it’s flow and how it plays out. This version can also be provided to the actor so they can understand their relationships with other characters or the action within the game, however this may only be necessary in narrative heavy gameplay e.g. The Last of Us.

The script shown in Example 2 will provide your actors with clarity, clear direction, understanding of the scene and individual lines. It will also help coders and developers during the implementation phase, all of which will save your studio time and money.

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About Eloquent Bard Voice OVer

Johnny is a veteran actor with over 15 years in the industry, having started voice acting in 2015 on Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: India they have gone on to provide voices for hundreds of projects.

Johnny Neal