Video game scriptwriter Rhianna Pratchett reveals that a significant portion of Mirror’s Edge’s script was cut at the last minute. A decision that has resulted in Pratchett forgoing the option to return for a second entry in the franchise.

DICE’s original IP Mirror’s Edge created its own genre — a first-person platformer that just about nailed its gameplay. However, many criticised the game’s story for being underdeveloped. Rhianna Pratchett worked on the game’s narrative, but was disappointed after DICE cut much of its script. In an interview with Critical Gamer, Pratchett comments on the cuts:

“For my part, I tried to make sure that she [Faith] was a well realized character with flaws and screw-ups and some sense of humanity about her. However, a great deal of Faith’s dialogue was actually cut at the 11th hour (it was decided that she wouldn’t speak during levels) so a certain amount of that got lost. Unfortunately, the realities of creating game narrative can be pretty brutal.”

The criticisms of the game’s narrative must have prompted a big “I told you so” from Pratchett, but despite this vindication she won’t be returning for Mirror’s Edge 2:

“No, I’m not working on the sequel, I’ve moved onto other things. Ultimately, I think everyone learned a lot on Mirror’s Edge. All lessons, even painful ones, can be beneficial. I’m sure DICE will do things differently next time around and involve a writer sooner in the process. I wish them every success in that, I think it’s a wonderful franchise.”

In my own personal conversations with Rhianna, she disclosed that around 40 per cent of the script was cut without even informing the writers. This included internal monologues from Faith in those silent loading elevators. Lets hope DICE does a better job with Mirror’s Edge 2, though EA has yet to mention whether the game is even in development.