#game transcripts

Oh. I feel like my adventures with transcript are a bit of a disaster but my tips would be:

- Recording and storage: if you record the game, be mindful of the fact that you will use the videos for transcript. Try to split the recordings accordingly. It's easier. And use a good storage device because you'll add 250+G or so of files if you record a game as long as Mass Effect 1. Don't hesitate to use folders, screencaps and maps as a guide. I use Bandicam to record btw! I love it, very simple to use.

- Formatting: don't rush into the transcripts and tell yourself you'll figure out the formatting later because it's time consuming. It's the most annoying part because if you get it wrong (like I did) you're looking (like me) at hours of fixing it if you have many transcripts. I suggest having one or two scenes, adjusting the formatting as much as you ́need, really taking your time, until it really looks good for scene title, descriptions, dialogues, etc. And then apply it very consistently across the transcripts. 

- Transcript: If you're looking at transcribing something that looks like the Noveria mission in ME1, I suggest before starting the transcript to look at the whole of the mission and see how you can transcribe it in a way that will still be readable. Mind you I didn't succeed exactly but once I organized the process, looked at every part that needed to be included and why, I had it easier. It was a bit of a nightmare before. That's because I was rushing.

- Options: If your game allows you to make choices in dialogues and scenes, your transcript will not be complete until it has all those options. Playthroughs on YouTube might help, or maybe you play and record the different options. But it's good, at the beginning of the transcript, to have a little note to explain how complete the transcript is and its nature. If I was only doing a Paragon Shepard transcript, I would say so at the beginning. As it is, I remind people some options are lacking and the transcripts are a work in progress.

- Fun/Dedication: Working on transcripts can be fun but it requires dedication as well, especially when you're working on a part that makes you frustrated. My advice? Never give up, never surrender :D Also work on smaller parts that give a good boost once they're done!

Google Docs and how I feel: it's easy to format, with headlines, folders, etc. People are used to it as well so it's mostly intuitive. Google Docs also has different ways to share a link and to include editors if you want to work with others. But Google Docs or not, never trust a third party service and always keep copies, have a backup of everything on your computer.