Rob Yescombe Talks Haze

Free Radical’s full-time, in-house writer Rob Yescombe talked with Gamasutra about writing for Haze. Yescombe expounds on how the scenario for the overtly political game was formed, how writing and development are entwined and more.

Yescombe is reluctant to play up his role as a screenwriter instead choosing to let the script validate his efforts.

My job is the screenwriter, so it’s kind of difficult for me to talk about how good the script is, because that would be supremely pompous of me. So what I’ll tell you is this: the lead actors in Haze are from the Royal Shakespeare Company, and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Those kind of actors don’t do video games. However, actors are interested in two things: lots of money, or a good script. And we didn’t have any money. So hopefully that’s testament to the script being a pretty decent piece of work.

Many developers hire major Hollywood actors in hopes of attracting more interest, but Yescombe believes the big names are really just an “appetizer” to the game.

Yescombe goes on to talk about balancing informative political and social commentary with entertainment in games. He also reveals that storytelling in Haze is completely streamed with no cut scenes. He also discusses the advantqges of often criticized “linear” story telling.

The interview is great for anyone who wants to know more about working in the business as a script writer. However, if your looking for details of the actual storyline, this isn’t the article for you.

Read the full interview on Gamasutra