An Opinion on Writing Better Dialogue
- Thread starter militantmilo
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I just got to mention the great Bill Hicks, guys. On his stand-up shows, he proved more than once how normal words used correctly, have a MUCH bigger impact than swear words.
Let me post an example: At the infamous "looses it in Chicago" show, where nothing seemed to go right for him, he suddenly started screaming, and i quote; "Hitler had the right idea, he was just an under-achiever!" ...wow! :D Isn't that great!? (Notice the underline...) Let's have our main villain say something like that! :D Afterwards he went into an insane rating, which concluded after his prayer to god for a second flood...
Let me post an example: At the infamous "looses it in Chicago" show, where nothing seemed to go right for him, he suddenly started screaming, and i quote; "Hitler had the right idea, he was just an under-achiever!" ...wow! :D Isn't that great!? (Notice the underline...) Let's have our main villain say something like that! :D Afterwards he went into an insane rating, which concluded after his prayer to god for a second flood...
A game that used Fake cussing well Was Morrowind, YOU INWA!
It accually made me feel a bit tickled.
Morrowind is one of those games that took real placement seriously when it needed to, and added on to that. since morrowind is mostly voice, and you can get people angry on the fly, it would fit better with morrowind. But I don't think rpgmaker can pull off You are an Inwa for Pressing enter Near me!"
It accually made me feel a bit tickled.
Morrowind is one of those games that took real placement seriously when it needed to, and added on to that. since morrowind is mostly voice, and you can get people angry on the fly, it would fit better with morrowind. But I don't think rpgmaker can pull off You are an Inwa for Pressing enter Near me!"
KhaoticErase
Member
I actually don't think professional gamers are interested in realistic dialogue. They, as well as I, most likely include melodrama, over-theatre, etc. simply because it suits the scene.
Besides, most games take place in different worlds. Their form of speech, from the way they were brought up, is affected by the fact that everyone else in the world speaks similarly.
However, the cliched "NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" scream during a death-scene has always been my greatest peeve. NOBODY, not even one from another world, could reach deep inside their cheesiness during their greatest moment of sorrow and do this.
Besides, most games take place in different worlds. Their form of speech, from the way they were brought up, is affected by the fact that everyone else in the world speaks similarly.
However, the cliched "NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" scream during a death-scene has always been my greatest peeve. NOBODY, not even one from another world, could reach deep inside their cheesiness during their greatest moment of sorrow and do this.
talzioneriks
Member
I agree with much of the OP. Great article.
But I disagree with the points about slang.
Slang is much more complicated, and usage is governed by much, much more than just intelligence or maturity.
But aside from that, it's golden. I must thank you for the first point about expositions; I never knew the word, but such obvious usage of such really breaks the immersion of a game, and (for me at least), reminds me I'm just playing a game.
But I disagree with the points about slang.
Slang is much more complicated, and usage is governed by much, much more than just intelligence or maturity.
But aside from that, it's golden. I must thank you for the first point about expositions; I never knew the word, but such obvious usage of such really breaks the immersion of a game, and (for me at least), reminds me I'm just playing a game.
arcthemonkey
Sponsor
I think the OP's point was that the usage of slang should be appropriate to the character. I've always been tickled pink by character who use big word incorrectly in an effort to effect intelligence.
I like making up cuss words, and I think that as long as they really sound like angry cuss words, they work.
A sample from Canadian Knights - "Why, you infinsolant bock!"
Seriously, just say Infinsolant Bock in an angry, accusitory tone. You'll feel dirty.
In the one case where we use real profanity, or at least imply its use, we do so by grossly mispelling the word in the dialogue box and then "Bleeping" the word out in the voice-over. An example:
Yeah, that's right - Indy heard the beep too!
Again on slang, I think it can be beneficial to kind of invent your own slang and expressions in addition to some nice cursing, to help establish notions of culture and history.
"This will put chest hair on your chest hair."
Answering the phone with, "Hello, Ma?"
"Oh sweet merciful freakin' A"
"This does not bode well for the bood."
"Go drown in the lake, you fat baby!"
It's nice to see established expressions, especially if you learn to happily predict a character's response. You get into the setting, and have a better time.
Oh, and for the record - we use "Bitch" all the frikkin time, but always in comedic context.
I like making up cuss words, and I think that as long as they really sound like angry cuss words, they work.
A sample from Canadian Knights - "Why, you infinsolant bock!"
Seriously, just say Infinsolant Bock in an angry, accusitory tone. You'll feel dirty.
In the one case where we use real profanity, or at least imply its use, we do so by grossly mispelling the word in the dialogue box and then "Bleeping" the word out in the voice-over. An example:
Yeah, that's right - Indy heard the beep too!
Again on slang, I think it can be beneficial to kind of invent your own slang and expressions in addition to some nice cursing, to help establish notions of culture and history.
"This will put chest hair on your chest hair."
Answering the phone with, "Hello, Ma?"
"Oh sweet merciful freakin' A"
"This does not bode well for the bood."
"Go drown in the lake, you fat baby!"
It's nice to see established expressions, especially if you learn to happily predict a character's response. You get into the setting, and have a better time.
Oh, and for the record - we use "Bitch" all the frikkin time, but always in comedic context.