Personal Writing Tip: Two Sentence Premise

[Blindga]

Here's a little test for you all out there. Consider it a challenge if you want, or a bit of random advice.

I often see 'is this a good game idea' being asked a lot around here. I sometimes ask this myself, because I so often come up with lots and lots of ideas. To help eliminate some of the sub-par ideas, I practice with some writing.

When we're working on small, simple games like the ones usually made in RPG Maker, I feel like a good rule of thumb is to have an idea that is easy to describe. I find that the biggest development problem is an idea that is too complicated. A complex idea is fun at first, but clarity and simplicity are much more important, and you need something that can catch audience attention quickly without requiring a lot of reading or thinking from the start.

As my general rule, if I can't describe the game I am working on in two purposeful complex sentences and still have it sound interseting, then the idea needs work.

So. Take two sentences, idea, and action. With these, you should be able to describe your game.

Idea: What is the reasoning behind the game? The story, theme, message, or mood?

Action: How does this game play? Why is it fun?

With one idea sentence, and one action sentence, you should, ideally, be able to create an interesting Combined Premise, which puts the idea and action together.

Example:

Idea: A heavily armored super soldier fights to defend Earth and the human race from an invasion of highly advanced aliens.

Action: Control the ultimate warrior, and wield futuristic weaponry ranging from assault rifles to plasma cannons as you blast your way through several action packed levels in this intense sci-fi first person shooter.

Combined Premise: A heavily armored super soldier fights to defend Earth and the human race from an invasion of highly advanced aliens. Control the ultimate warrior, and wield futuristic weaponry ranging from submachine guns to plasma cannons to blast your way through several action packed levels in this intense sci-fi first person shooter.


That's Halo in a nutshell. Not exactly a shining idea at a glance, is it? But it doesn't have to be perfect. It seems interesting. It seems like it could be a game. This is a good, clear idea and a solid premise. Of course, if you know Halo, there are more details to it then that, but this little premise summarize everything the player needs to know in two clear sentences. Details are important too, but secondary. Let your game do the real talking, and work on a simple premise that hooks the player using the strongest ideas.

Here's one for an rpg.

Idea: A group of teens form a secret vigilante organization after they learn of a murderer who is using a magical world to commit the perfect crime.

Action: In this blend of dramatic visual novel story telling and traditional turn-based rpg action, you will use the power of emotions to summon monsters in battle, fight evil creatures, and explore twisted labyrinths leading into the horrors of the human soul.

Combined Premise: A group of teens form a secret vigilante organization after they learn of a murderer who is using a magical world to commit the perfect crime. In this blend of dramatic visual novel story telling and traditional turn-based rpg action, you will use the power of emotions to summon monsters in battle, fight evil creatures, and explore twisted labyrinths leading into the horrors of the human soul.

Persona 4. Again, it's not a perfect representation, but it stand out, and seems like it could definitely make a good game. Of course, there is a lot more. But you have two sentences, and it's up to you to decide which of your ideas is the strongest. I feel like determining which ideas are your main ideas is the most important part of developing a good game. Distinguish from details and main points, and know which to sell and which to keep to yourself.

One more example.

Idea: A group of young women find themselves turned magical warriors who must save the Earth from impending doom after accidentally summoning a mystical angel.

Action: You will control this little angel as she mentors, manages, commands, and cares for these three rookie heroines in this playful and light-hearted mix of hero manager and magical girl action.

Combined Premise: A group of young women find themselves turned magical warriors who must save the Earth after accidentally summoning a mystical angel. You will control this little angel as she mentors, manages, commands, and cares for these struggling new heroines in this playful and light-hearted mix of hero manager and magical girl action.

This is my current project, which I feel confident behind. Again, two clear purposeful sentences that make a combined premise that sounds like a solid game.

Of course, there are exceptions, where good games simply cannot be captured in one action and one idea sentence. As you can tell, what I wrote for Persona 4 took a bit of stretching. But for a simple game, you should ideally be able to sell your game with these two sentences.

So, as a test, take this little form and put your game in it. See how you feel about your game when you boil down your work into these two sentences. If your idea still sounds like a solid game, you have a good start. If not, well, just take it as something to think about. Again, not a golden rule, but just my personal rule.

So let's see how well you write your ideas

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Title:

Idea sentence:

Action Sentence:

Combined Premise:

-

Eager to see what we come up with.

Hope it helps, and thanks for reading!

 

[Cadh20000]

Here's a little test for you all out there. Consider it a challenge if you want, or a bit of random advice.

Challenge, definitely a challenge.

Title: "Bibliotheca Arcanum"

Idea sentence: A young boy attracts the attention of a secret society that controls the world from behind the scenes, now in order to both survive and remain free he must grow and master powerful magic while training the ultimate team!

Action Sentence: Control a young boy and his friends as they grow from normal schoolkids into the ultimate force for freedom in a world ruled in secret by the cruelest of tyrannical manipulations.

Combined Premise: A young boy attracts the attention of a secret society that controls the world from behind the scenes, now in order to both survive and remain free he must grow and master powerful magic while training the ultimate team! Now you must control that young boy and his friends as they grow from normal schoolkids into the ultimate force for freedom in a world ruled in secret by the cruelest of tyrannical manipulations.

 

[Sharm]

That's an interesting way to put together an elevator pitch.  I've used something similar when I get stuck in my writing to help me figure out what the actual point of my story is.  Here's one I've been working on with a friend.

Title: Lendrick, Grand Summoner

Idea sentence:  A lonely young man thinks that the only way to have friends is to literally make them.

Action Sentence:  Use summons and allies to explore, solve puzzles and fight your way towards your goal of obtaining the materials needed to create a grand summon, your perfect friend.

@Cadh20000:  Your kind of blending your two parts in your sentences.  The first one should be purely story and the second should be about the gameplay.  Maybe "A normal schoolkid and his friends fight for freedom from a secret society that controls the world.  Learn to control magic and train up a powerful team while uncovering the plot of an evil organization."

 

[Blindga]

That's an interesting way to put together an elevator pitch.  I've used something similar when I get stuck in my writing to help me figure out what the actual point of my story is.  Here's one I've been working on with a friend.

On the note of "The Pitch", this doesn't mean you should sell your game on two sentences. Not many actually do that. You have things like the features list and extended summary for the actual selling when you post and upload a game.

But, ideally, the most basic representation of your game should be attractive on its own. If you need to rely on things like the summary or story description to sell your game, or can't think of a good way to put your game in these two distinct sentences, you are probably overwriting or don't have a clear idea; which may end up with you underselling or missing the main idea of your game. As you said, it's a good method when you get stuck or forget what you are doing. Keeps things in perspective

That's why I call this a test more than anything. And it sounds like you have a pretty sweet idea Sharm!

 

[Cadh20000]

@Cadh20000:  Your kind of blending your two parts in your sentences.  The first one should be purely story and the second should be about the gameplay.  Maybe "A normal schoolkid and his friends fight for freedom from a secret society that controls the world.  Learn to control magic and train up a powerful team while uncovering the plot of an evil organization."

I get what you are saying, but to my mind it just doesn't seem like the same game or story when phrased like that.

For one thing, the "Society" has already been in control for hundreds of years. Their only "Plot" at this point is recruit, discredit, or kill anyone who shows signs of powers that might expose them in a way the masses might believe.

http://www.rpgmakervxace.net/blog/304/entry-834-on-the-surface-it-could-have-been-our-world%E2%80%A6-ignorance-is-bliss-as-they-say%E2%80%A6/

I'll think about how to rewrite it though.

 

[Fernyfer775]

Title: Demon Hunter

Idea sentence: A young boy is given the power to command demons and is sent off into the world to vanquish the dark entities known as the Legion of Six, which wreak havoc upon the lands.

Action Sentence: With the aid of the demons you capture, you get to obliterate your enemies in (enter sarcastic tone) exciting turn-based RPG combat, and save the world from the demon onslaught! 

Combined Premise: A young boy is given the power to command demons and is sent off into the world to vanquish the dark entities known as the Legion of Six, which wreak havoc upon the lands. With the aid of the demons you capture, you get to obliterate your enemies in (enter sarcastic tone) exciting turn-based RPG combat, and save the world from the demon onslaught!

 

[kerbonklin]

Title: The Princess Lucia (undecided)

Idea sentence: A young demon princess from another world must partner up with a human mercenary soldier to fight and protect her magical kingdom from an evil general under her own father's command.

Action Sentence: Master the powerful magic that the general desires, frantically fight off hordes of royal guards and monsters in fast-paced turn combat, and travel through puzzling lands to save your nobility and your kingdom!

Combined Premise: A young demon princess from another world must partner up with a human mercenary soldier to fight and protect her magical kingdom from an evil general under her own father's command. Master the powerful magic that the general desires, frantically fight off hordes of royal guards and monsters in fast-paced turn combat, and travel through puzzling lands to save your nobility and your kingdom!

 

[Paladin-Cleric of Awesome]

Title: Blue Lab

Idea sentence: A former soldier turns to his military training to once more save his genius wife from the terrorist organisation who intend to use both her and her inventions to further their goals.

Action Sentence: After five years of peace remaster old weapons, take up new ones and using a combination of Stealth tatics and Puzzle solving, protect the Blue lab and all that lies within.

Combined Premise: A former soldier turns to his military training to once more save his genius wife from the terrorist organisation who intend to use both her and her inventions to further their goals.  After five years of peace remaster old weapons, take up new ones and using a combination of Stealth tatics and Puzzle solving, protect the Blue Lab and all that lies within.

Warning: Married peoples Snark at it's finest.

Yeeeeeah.... New game idea I'm working on. That was fun.

-

 

[Simon D. Aelsi]

Title: Island Quest!

Idea sentence: After a series of troubling dreams, an ordinary islander farmhand discovers terrifying secrets about his homeland and its native inhabitants.
 

Action Sentence: Use your brawn, your brain, as well as your friends on a whirlwind journey all across the beautiful but deadly island and uncover the secrets behind it, as well as the once peace-loving natives.. with their sudden lust for destruction and power.

Combined Premise: After a series of troubling dreams, an ordinary islander farmhand discovers terrifying secrets about his homeland and its native inhabitants. JUse your brawn, your brain, as well as your friends on a whirlwind journey all across the beautiful but deadly island and uncover the secrets behind it, as well as the once peace-loving natives.. with their sudden lust for destruction and power.