Are there any good rules of thumbs when to use exclamation marks in games?
Well, I think, it's the question of emotional stress of the phrase (yep, English is not my native language, so I might be wrong here). Exclamation marks combined with CAPITAL LETTERS are usually percieved as shouting (vs.
bold and/or
underlined is used to emphasise a specific word).
e.g.
John! Wow! I haven't seen you for ages!
I won't go with you! Stop bothering me! - Why?!
Hi!
Watch out!
Fire!!!
Get ready to engage on my command. Fire!
When? - NOW!
DIE!!!!!!!!
Sometimes asterik symbols (*) are used to emphasise a specific phrase or smth. like that (usually in negative sense).
I *HATE* you.
If you *EVER FORGET* that again...
compare to:
Ejecting the cargo was a
bad idea.
This is
important, please, listen carefully.
Pay attention. I don't need a regular barrel. I need a
toxic barrel.
I've seen another way to stress each word of the sentence. However, I'm not sure if this is correct.
GET OUT. NOW.
IT. IS. YOUR. PROBLEM.
This is different than in case it is used in more or less formal situations like:
Dear Mr.Edward, please, come in.
Hi, Jane.
Why didn't you come? I was expecting you.
Nice to meet you and your spouse.
Captain? We've got incoming message. It is urgent. - Patch me through.
Nobody comes in or out until you tell me all the details.