1990
Seventeen-year-old Alex Manning, still grappling with her mother's suicide, finds solace with her friends, including her boyfriend Greg and tech-savvy Nick. Their lives take a dark turn when a new virtual reality game called 'Arcade' arrives at the local arcade, and Greg mysteriously disappears while playing it. Alex and Nick discover that 'Arcade' is a sentient, malevolent electronic intelligence that traps players within its digital world, and it has begun to spread through various electronic devices, including home consoles and phone lines, claiming more of their friends. Confronting Difford, a public relations man for the game's developer, Slip-Stream, and programmer Albert, they learn the game was created using the brain patterns of a deceased boy, which gave it a dangerous, self-replicating consciousness.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Alex Manning, haunted by her mother’s suicide and obsessed with time, discovers that a new arcade game is responsible for her friends’ disappearances.
Open full beat sheetAlex Manning is listed as Protagonist. Seventeen-year-old girl, intense, deep eyes, prone to overthinking. In the parsed data, Alex Manning is connected to 36 scenes, 44 dialogue lines, 44 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
36 scenes / 44 dialogue linesNick Drake is listed as Friend. Future computer pioneer, attractive, edgy, genius. In the parsed data, Nick Drake is connected to 22 scenes, 29 dialogue lines, 29 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
22 scenes / 29 dialogue linesBenz is listed as Friend. Tall, unkempt, awkward, comic book fan. In the parsed data, Benz is connected to 10 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 30.
10 scenes / 4 dialogue linesLaurie is listed as Friend. Cynical, 'art chick'. In the parsed data, Laurie is connected to 9 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
9 scenes / 2 dialogue linesStilts is listed as Friend. Short, skateboarder, Thrasher magazine fan. In the parsed data, Stilts is connected to 9 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 38.
9 scenes / 2 dialogue linesGreg Holliston is listed as Alex's boyfriend. Hopeful artist, punk aesthetic, thrift-shop style. In the parsed data, Greg Holliston is connected to 8 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 37.
8 scenes / 5 dialogue linesArcade is listed as Antagonist. Electronic intelligence, self-replicating, malevolent. In the parsed data, Arcade is connected to 5 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 28.
5 scenes / 12 dialogue linesDifford is listed as Slip-Stream P.R. man. Dressed to kill, smooth talker. In the parsed data, Difford is connected to 3 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 8.
3 scenes / 1 dialogue linesMr. Weaver is listed as Guidance Counselor. Middle-aged, unexceptional, incapable of truly listening. In the parsed data, Mr. Weaver is connected to 2 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
2 scenes / 2 dialogue linesAlbert is listed as Programmer. Unkempt, 60s drop-out look. In the parsed data, Albert is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 26.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesFinster is listed as Arcade Proprietor. Enormous, bald, irritable. In the parsed data, Finster is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 8.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesJim Manning is listed as Alex's father. Hopelessly middle-aged, depressed. In the parsed data, Jim Manning is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 12.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesAn abstract, dark electronic space with breathing sounds and fractal visuals.
Alex Manning discusses her feelings about time and her mother's suicide with Mr. Weaver.
Alex Manning, Mr. WeaverA dreamlike flashback sequence moving through the Manning house.
Alex ManningThe discovery of Alex's mother's body in the bedroom.
Alex abruptly leaves the guidance counselor's office after a tense conversation.
Alex Manning, Mr. WeaverAlex meets her friends and they discuss the new 'Arcade' game.
Alex Manning, Greg Holliston, Nick Drake, Benz, Stilts, LaurieThe group arrives at the arcade.
Alex Manning, Greg Holliston, Nick Drake, Benz, Stilts, LaurieThe group tries the new 'Arcade' game; Nick and Greg play.
Alex Manning, Greg Holliston, Nick Drake, Benz, Stilts, LaurieGreg disappears while playing the game.
Alex Manning, Greg Holliston, Nick Drake, Benz, Stilts, LaurieThe group leaves the arcade without Greg.
Alex Manning, Nick Drake, Benz, Stilts, LaurieAlex arrives home.
Alex ManningAlex checks on her father.
Alex Manning, Jim ManningAlex sets up the home version of the Arcade game.
Alex ManningAlex experiences the game world.
Alex ManningAlex returns to reality and calls Nick.
Alex Manning, Nick DrakeAlex sees Greg on the television screen.
Alex Manning, Greg HollistonAlex visits Nick to discuss the game.
Alex Manning, Nick DrakeAlex and Nick discuss the game and Greg.
Alex Manning, Nick DrakeAlex and Nick argue about the game ARCADE and its potential sentience after Greg goes missing.
Alex Manning, Nick DrakeAlex and Nick meet Stilts and discuss the missing friends and the game.
Alex Manning, Nick Drake, StiltsAlex checks on Benz and learns he is missing.
Alex Manning, Nick DrakeAlex and Nick find Laurie mesmerized by the game on her TV.
Alex Manning, Nick Drake, LaurieNick prepares to investigate the game's reach.
Alex Manning, Nick DrakeNick confirms the game is in the phone system.
Alex Manning, Nick DrakeAlex and Nick confront Difford.
Alex Manning, Nick Drake, DiffordAlbert explains the game's mechanics and the donor.
Alex Manning, Nick Drake, AlbertAlex and Nick return to the arcade to confront the game.
Alex Manning, Nick DrakeNick and Alex prepare to enter the game, Nick smashes a change machine for quarters, and they both enter the game world.
Alex Manning, Nick Drake, ArcadeAlex and Nick arrive in Level One, navigate the plains, and find the first key.
Alex Manning, Nick DrakeAlex and the boy arrive in Level Nine after a crash, pursued by the Screamer.
Alex Manning, BenzAlex and the boy flee through the ghetto while fighting off Ninjas.
Alex Manning, BenzAlex and the boy arrive at the final level and approach Arcade's brain.
Alex Manning, Benz, ArcadeAlex enters the lobby and destroys the monitors.
Alex ManningAlex confronts Arcade and is seemingly killed.
Alex Manning, Greg Holliston, Nick Drake, Benz, Stilts, LaurieAlex experiences a hallucination of her mother before being killed.
Alex ManningAlex returns using a 'free life' and defeats Arcade.
Alex Manning, ArcadeAlex and the others return to reality.
Alex Manning, Greg Holliston, Nick Drake, Benz, Stilts, LaurieThe group leaves the arcade, but Alex worries Arcade might have returned.
Alex Manning, Greg Holliston, Nick Drake, Stilts, LaurieArcade returns in the arcade machine.
ArcadeYOU'RE TOO LATE, ALEX. YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN TOO LATE. AND NOW YOUR TIME'S UP. YOU SEE, I NEEDED SOMEONE TO RETRIEVE MY HEART FOR ME. I COULDN'T DO IT MYSELF. THOSE ARE THE RULES. BUT NOW THAT I'VE GOT IT, I'LL DESTROY IT. AND I'LL BE FREE OF MY PROGRAM, AND I'LL BE GOD. THANK-YOU, ALEX. THANK-YOU SO MUCH.
What's different about ARCADE is the way it reacts. It responds like a human does. It learns. It adapts. Each time you play, it changes its strategy.
The keys are supposed to be at the end of each level. Once we get all the keys, we can unlock ARCADE's heart. And then...
I have to tell you, I'm a little concerned about you, Alex. It's been three months now since your mother, uh...
I'll take the lead and handle the physical threats. You watch the elapsed time and look for exits.
...and then we go to the Final Level. Hey, don't worry about it. It's a game. How bad could it be?
I know how to do this! I'm good at these games. You never play, you'd be nailed in an instant.
Time. That's all I ever think about anymore. It's like there's never enough of it, you know?
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