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Zout ⚽ — Tone & Copy Guide

Purpose

This document defines how Zout speaks.

The goal is consistency. Menus, prompts, scores, audio cues, and UI copy should all feel like they belong to the same game.

If the copy breaks immersion, it’s wrong.

Core Tone

Zout is:

  • Confident, not loud
  • Playful, not goofy
  • Focused, not sterile
  • Emotional, not dramatic

Zout never begs for attention. It lets the moment speak.

Voice Principles (Non-Negotiable)

1. Say less

Short lines beat explanations.

Good:

  • “Ready.”
  • “One shot.”
  • “Again.”

Bad:

  • “Get ready to take your next attempt.”
  • “Try again to improve your score.”

2. Speak like the game knows football

Assume the player understands the culture.

Good:

  • “Top bins.”
  • “One chance.”
  • “Clean.”

Bad:

  • “Upper corner bonus!”
  • “Perfect accuracy achieved!”

3. Confidence over hype

No shouting. No emojis mid-sentence unless intentional.

Good:

  • “Zout.”
  • “No chance.”
  • “That felt right.”

Bad:

  • “LET’S GOOOO!”
  • “AMAZING SHOT!!!”

4. Let silence do work

Not every action needs text or audio.

If the strike says everything, the UI stays quiet.

Language Rules

Allowed

  • Football language
  • Short declarative sentences
  • Calm affirmations
  • Commentator-style phrasing

Avoid

  • Gamer slang
  • Tutorials in disguise
  • Corporate tone
  • Excessive numbers on screen

Core Vocabulary (Canonical)

These words have specific meaning in Zout. Do not remix them casually.

  • Zout → Called when the ball goes in
  • Top Bins → Goal placed in the top corner
  • Clean → Solid execution
  • Scuffed → Poor execution
  • Perfect → Internal contact quality (not always announced)

UI Copy Examples

Menus

  • “Practice”
  • “Penzie”
  • “Free Kick”
  • “Settings”
  • “Again”

No subtitles. No explanations.

Shot Feedback (Minimal)

  • “Zout.”
  • “Top bins.”
  • “Clean.”
  • “Wide.”
  • “Saved.”

Never stack more than one line unless intentional.

Mode Intros

Practice

“No pressure. Find the feel.”

Penzie

“One shot.”

Free Kick

“All eyes on you.”

Scoring Copy

Numbers are secondary. Words come first.

Good:

  • “+100”
  • “Top bins +50”

Bad:

  • “Accuracy Bonus Applied”
  • “Perfect Timing Multiplier”

Audio Copy Rules

Voice lines are:

  • short
  • calm
  • rare

Examples:

  • “Zout.”
  • “Perfect.”
  • “No chance.”

Never repeat voice lines back-to-back. Silence is a feature.

Emotional Arc per Shot

  1. Quiet setup
  2. Rising tension
  3. Impact
  4. Outcome
  5. Release or reset

Copy should follow this arc, not interrupt it.

Final Check (Use This Before Adding Any Copy)

Ask:

  • Does this add clarity or emotion?
  • Would a real commentator say this?
  • Can this be shorter?
  • Would silence be better?

If unsure, remove it.

Summary

Zout speaks with restraint.

It trusts the player. It trusts the moment. It never overexplains.

If the strike is good, the copy steps aside.

That’s the tone.