S.C.A.R. is a procedure to provide a structure to gameplay. These are not definitive rules on how you should play any particular system, but act as a guideline - A flow of play.
S.C.A.R. is an acronym that stands for
- Setup - What do you see? Where are you (location)? Who is there with you (characters)? What are you trying to achieve (objective)?
- Conflict - What is stopping characters to achieve objective?
- Action - What actions are characters going to take to resolve conflict?
- Resolution - What is the outcome of the actions? How does this change the situation?
Gameplay is divided into individual scenes, each starting at Setup and traversing each step in order. It is encouraged to keep track of the Resolution before stepping into Setup again for a new scene.
Goal
A goal is a long-term project that takes multiple steps to conclude. It is tracked with a Progress Track. To progress, you must create Threads and conclude these. On successful conclusion you can then progress a Goal.
Thread
A thread represents a goal or question that the player characters are trying to fulfil or answer. They are directly controlled by the players and can only be created or removed by them. Progress on a thread is tracked with a Progress Track.
Actor
Actors are events, characters or objects that are outside of the direct control of players. They will happen automatically. To remove Actors, player will have to plan Threads to do so. Actors can also disappear in certain situations.