How to make a cutscene script is one of those things that seems simple until you're staring at a blinking cursor, wondering how to explain a dragon attack without writing a 50-page novel. You've got the gameplay down, the mechanics are snappy, and the world looks great, but now you need to bridge the gap between "player kills boss" and "player finds out the boss was actually their long-lost uncle." It's a unique challenge because you aren't just writing for an audience; you're writing for a player who, just seconds ago, was in total control.
When you start thinking about the narrative flow of your game, you have to realize that a cutscene is basically a temporary "theft" of the player's agency. You're taking the controller away. To make that feel worth it, your script needs to be tight, visually engaging, and purposeful.
Start With the "Why" Before the "How"
Before you even open your scriptwriting software—or a messy Google Doc, no judgment here—you need to ask yourself why this scene exists. In games, every second of non-gameplay is a risk. If the scene is just there because you think it looks cool, you might want to reconsider.
A good cutscene usually serves one of three purposes: it moves the plot forward, it develops a character in a way gameplay can't, or it provides crucial information for the next mission. If your script doesn't do at least one of those, it's probably just "fluff." Players are generally okay with fluff if it's short, but if you're asking them to sit there for three minutes, you'd better have a solid reason.
The Basic Anatomy of a Game Script
If you're wondering about the actual technical side of how to make a cutscene script, the good news is that you don't need to reinvent the wheel. Most industry professionals use a variation of the standard screenplay format. It's a universal language that your animators, voice actors, and level designers will already understand.
Here's the breakdown of what should be on the page:
- Scene Headings: Tell us where we are and what time it is (e.g., INT. RUINED CATHEDRAL - NIGHT).
- Action Lines: Describe what's happening. Keep these short and punchy. Instead of writing "The hero walks slowly across the room looking very sad," try "ARTHUR trudges toward the altar, eyes heavy."
- Character Names: Always in caps above their dialogue.
- Dialogue: What they're actually saying.
- Parentheticals: Small notes in parentheses to tell the actor the tone (e.g., (whispering) or (sarcastically)).
The biggest difference in games is that you might also need to include technical triggers. For example, you might note when a specific UI element should pop up or when the scene transitions back to player control.
Show, Don't Tell (The Gamer's Version)
We've all heard "show, don't tell," but in game scripts, it's even more vital. You have a 3D world at your disposal. If a character is angry, don't have them say, "I am so angry right now!" Have them kick a bucket, tighten their grip on their sword, or glare at the villain.
Think about the environment too. If the cutscene takes place in the character's bedroom, what does the room say about them? Is it messy? Is there a photo of someone they lost? These visual cues do the heavy lifting so your dialogue doesn't have to. The best cutscene scripts are the ones where you could almost understand what's happening even if the sound was turned off.
Pacing: The Silent Killer
One of the hardest parts of learning how to make a cutscene script is getting the timing right. In a movie, a slow, five-minute dialogue scene might be a masterpiece. In a game, it can feel like an eternity.
You have to remember the emotional state of the player. If they just finished a high-octane boss fight, their adrenaline is pumping. If you immediately drop them into a slow, philosophical debate about the nature of the soul, they're going to get bored. You want to match the energy of the gameplay or use the cutscene as a necessary "breather"—but even breathers need to be engaging.
Try to keep your dialogue lines short. Long monologues are rarely as impactful as you think they are. If a character needs to explain something complex, break it up with action or interruptions from other characters. It keeps the scene "alive."
Thinking Like a Director
Even though you're "just" writing, you need to think about the camera. You don't need to write every single camera angle—in fact, most directors prefer you don't—but your script should imply the feeling of the shots.
Is the camera close-up to show intimacy or fear? Is it a wide shot to show how small the hero is compared to the environment? When you're writing the action lines, use words that evoke movement. Instead of "We see the army," try "The camera sweeps across the horizon, revealing a sea of steel." It helps the cinematic team visualize your intent.
The Importance of the "Skip" Factor
It sounds a bit painful to think about, but you have to assume some players will want to skip your hard work. When you're figuring out how to make a cutscene script, consider how the story is communicated to someone who skips the cinematic.
This is why many modern games use "in-game" dialogue or "walk-and-talk" segments. If the information is absolutely vital to playing the game (like "Go to the red tower"), try to put it at the very beginning or very end of the script, or repeat it in the gameplay objectives later. It's a bit of a safety net for the impatient players.
Collaboration is Key
Writing a script for a game isn't a solo act. You're part of a pipeline. Once you have a draft, talk to the animators. Ask them, "Is this possible?" You might write a scene where a character realistically pours a glass of water, only to find out that liquid physics are a nightmare for the current engine.
Be prepared to kill your darlings. Sometimes a scene you love just doesn't fit the budget or the tech. A flexible script is a successful script. If you can convey the same emotion with a look instead of an expensive explosion, the production team will love you for it.
Refining the Dialogue
Natural-sounding dialogue is the secret sauce. A common mistake when learning how to make a cutscene script is making characters sound like they're reading from an encyclopedia.
Read your lines out loud. Seriously. If you stumble over a sentence or feel out of breath, it's too long. People use contractions. They use slang. They trail off. They interrupt each other. If your characters sound like "real" people—or at least consistent versions of themselves—the player will stay immersed.
Also, pay attention to "barks." These are the tiny bits of dialogue characters say during the transition from the cutscene back into the game. They help smooth over the "jolt" of getting control back. A simple "Let's get moving" can be the perfect bridge.
Wrapping It Up
At the end of the day, a cutscene script is a blueprint for an experience. It's not just words on a page; it's a guide for a whole team of artists and developers to create a moment that sticks with the player.
Don't get too bogged down in trying to make it "literary." Focus on clarity, emotion, and pace. If you can make the player feel something—whether it's a surge of triumph, a gut punch of sadness, or just a genuine laugh—you've done your job. So, grab your favorite writing tool, keep your player in mind, and start drafting that scene. You'll find that once you get the first few lines down, the story starts to tell itself.