How "Script Kill" captured young people
The "script-killing" game that appeared quietly around 2016 has captured many young players in just a few years.
Statistics from a life service platform show that as of the end of 2020, "Script Kill" offline stores have exceeded 30,000, and the script kill App has soared to the third place in the Apple App Store free game list, just like a new game overlord.
What is "Script Kill"?
It is actually the Chinese translation of "murder mystery game". It is a multiplayer role-playing reasoning game that young people in Europe and America like. It has the dual attributes of drama and game.
Some domestic variety shows draw on the design content of the "Script Kill" game model, which has promoted the popularity of "Script Kill" in China.
At present, the styles of "script killing" in China have been diversified, but they share a common narrative framework and underlying logic, that is, "murder—investigation—reason—find the murderer or remove suspicion", that is, a group of players revolves around a case or event. Play the decent and villain roles respectively, and finally the players work together to discover the real culprit.
This process is called "playing the book", "playing the book" and "playing the book", and it takes 4 to 6 hours to complete a game.
Nowadays, there are two ways of "script killing" online and offline.
Most of the scripts provided by online apps are free, and a few fine scripts require payment. Players start role-playing games with sound in the same "room"; offline physical stores usually arrange scenes according to the script settings, and the players are in the same room, through language Acting stories such as expressions, expressions, conversation, and body movements.
It’s not difficult to see that "Script Kill" brings together the popular culture styles of post-90s and 00s, such as reality shows, live broadcasts, talk shows, cosplay (role playing), and Tucao conventions. The difference is that "Script Kill" makes Ordinary viewers are transformed into drama performers, which brings the ultimate experience of all-round, multi-sensory and deep involvement.
From group selection, script study to performance, the long-term physical and mental involvement of "Script Killing", the immersive game atmosphere, the process of observing, speculating, and discussing the playbook is essentially a rare in-depth exchange between people communication.
It is no exaggeration to say that "script killing" has become an effective medium for young people to expand their social circles.
As far as the group is concerned, the online "script killing" is dominated by strangers, while the offline "script killing" is superimposed on acquaintances and strangers.
The author’s research team found in the interview that the reason why young people prefer offline printing is that this gameplay restores the strong connection of the offline real identity that has been eroded by the “weak connections” of Internet social media, which helps to jump out of their daily lives. And the circle of work, get to know more interesting and fun people, and even develop into good friends.
It is also difficult for the “empty-nest youths” who “play bowling alone” to “immunize” the offline gathering activities of players outside the game.
One generation has a generation's game.
Hopscotch, hide-and-seek, play Lego, play King of Glory... Among the many game types, the most fascinating is the identity imagination and role-playing games.
In other words, everyone has a "devil" in their hearts, who are unwilling to obey the role assigned to him in real life, and are waiting and looking for a time to transcend their real identity.
"Script Killing" undoubtedly provides a space for imagination and transcendence for young people living in a mediocre state today.
A large number of "script-killing" story frames fictional time and space, obscure the true identity, and leave a game space for wanton imagination.
This transformation of time and space and role identities is, in a sense, a way to resolve tensions in relationships, release confrontational emotions, and achieve inner balance.
In "Script Killing", the process by which players choose their own characters and use their imagination to supplement and enrich the characters is also a process of gradually letting go of themselves and entering the process of imagining and playing the "other".
To borrow from Freud, the player forgets the "self" and is not afraid of the "superego", leaving only the "self" present.
In this way, the norms, rules and morals of the real world lose their binding force. Players act according to the rules of the game instead of the actual rules, act according to instinctive and happy principles instead of social and moral principles, and can even constantly touch their bottom line. , Challenge the superego, and safely enjoy the strange fantasy that is not allowed by the real world in the game space.
Whether it is an open or closed script, it can enable players participating in it to have a better game and life experience.
Games are human instinctive desires and an indispensable part of building a complete personality.
The out-of-control associated with the rapid development of modern society is tearing up a complete life. We have to face the threat of alienation. Therefore, we break free from the shackles and return from one-sided, utilitarian people to complete people. This has become an important motivation for people to need games.
"Script Killing" provides players with a non-daily game entertainment space. The immersive play process has the healing effect of releasing stress, seeking excitement, and obtaining pleasure.
In the imaginative alien space provided by the game, players can get rid of the fetters of daily life and experience a diverse life as an "other".
As a medium, Playbook also creates the possibility of in-depth interactive communication and expanding social relationships for young people.
Ma Zhonghong