Narrative Design
Stories have been an integral part of human history, helping us make sense of the world around us. Our brains are wired to seek context and meaning in everything. From the simplest games to complex narratives like novels or films, we crave stories that give us a sense of purpose and direction. Even without explicit backstories or premises, simple games can evoke powerful emotions and motivations within us. For instance, when you look at the title "Sprouts" , your mind might fill in the gaps: perhaps these vines are growing, or maybe they're sprouting new life. Similarly, "Space Invaders" becomes a battle to defend against an alien invasion. We inherently bring our own context and meaning to these games, crafting narratives that enhance our experience.
As game designers, understanding what drives players' behavior is crucial when designing engaging experiences. To achieve this, we must ask the fundamental question: "Why is the player playing?" Is it simply to win, or are there deeper motivations at play? By examining how narratives can be used to create emotional investment and engagement in games, we'll uncover the secrets behind what drives players' motivation and satisfaction.
Narrative design plays a vital role in this process, shaping the "why" behind the events, goals, and actions of characters within a game. It helps create engaging stories that provide context and meaning to gameplay. While many games feature simple narratives, a well-crafted narrative design, regardless of complexity, can enhance the player's understanding of characters and their motivations, heightening the emotional stakes involved.
Default Mode Network (DMN), which is involved in processing stories over time, connecting narrative elements to personal experiences, and generating mental simulations of events. By creating coherent, evolving storylines and incorporating surprise elements, game designers can activate the DMN, enhancing immersion, emotional connections, and memory retention, key factors in sustaining long-term player engagement.
Storytelling
Storytelling is a fundamental aspect of human experience, serving as a means to communicate ideas, emotions, and experiences. In the context of games, storytelling enhances player engagement and provides a framework for gameplay mechanics, making every action feel significant. There are 4 key components to storytelling which include: premise, characters, setting, plot, and story.
Vid 1. Storytelling in Video GamesStorytelling in games
- Provide context for game rules and procedures
- Help explain how to achieve goals through gameplay mechanics
- Introduce characters that drive the storyline
While these elements engage players, they also lay the groundwork for more advanced storytelling techniques like character development, player agency, and branching narratives.
Premise
The premise is the core idea that outlines the basic concept of a narrative. It serves as the foundation upon which the rest of the story is built. A well-crafted premise introduces the main conflict and sets the stage for the characters and events that will unfold.
In a general sense, a premise can be expressed in a single sentence or phrase that captures the essence of the story. For example, in literature or film, a premise might be: "A young woman discovers she has magical powers and must save her world from impending doom."
In games, the premise functions similarly. It provides players with a clear understanding of the game's objective and context. For instance, in the arcade classic "Donkey Kong" , the premise establishes the goal and hints at the challenges to come.
"Man must rescue girlfriend after being kidnapped by giant monkey."
Some games' names can even serve as their premise. The card game "WAR" implies a battle between two empires, while the aforementioned "Space Invaders" is about defending Earth from alien invaders. A well-crafted premise gives players a sense of what to expect from the game.
Characters
Characters are the heart of any story, serving as the vehicles through which the narrative unfolds. They allow audiences, whether in books, movies, or games, to form emotional connections and invest in the story's outcome. Characters can embody various traits and complexities, ranging from heroes to villains to supporting figures.
In games, characters not only drive the narrative but also shape the player's experience. For instance, in "Donkey Kong", we have:
- Jumpman (Mario): Protagonist; the character controlled by the player, the hero of the story.
- Donkey Kong: Antagonist; the foe or obstacle that creates conflict for the protagonist.
- Pauline: Catalyst; the character whose kidnapping serves as the inciting incident, setting the story's conflict in motion.
Players become invested in these characters' journeys, making the gameplay experience more immersive.
In simpler games without predefined characters, such as Go Fish, the players themselves can take on character roles within the magic circle of play. Each player assumes a persona, whether that's the shrewd strategist, the playful joker, or the serious competitor, allowing for varied interactions and personal narratives to emerge even in the absence of detailed character development. This dynamic encourages players to project their identities onto the game, enhancing emotional connections and creating a more engaging gameplay experience.
Setting
The setting provides the backdrop for the narrative, encompassing the time and place where the story unfolds. It plays a crucial role in establishing the tone and atmosphere of the narrative. A well-defined setting can evoke emotions and immerse audiences in the story.
For example, in a novel, the setting might be a dystopian future where society has collapsed, creating a sense of urgency and tension. In games, the setting similarly influences player experience.
Donkey Kong take places at a construction site.
The setting in "Donkey Kong" gives a bit of context to why Jumpman would be potentially jumping over barrels and crates; because barrels and crates would be likely items to at a construction site.
Plot
The plot outlines the sequence of events that occur in a narrative, detailing the main actions, conflicts, and resolutions. It expands upon the premise and connects the characters and setting to create a coherent story arc.
In general storytelling, a plot outlining the main events and goals of the story. For example, in a movie, the plot might involve a hero overcoming numerous obstacles to achieve their goal. In games, the plot serves a similar function, such as inDonkey Kong's case, the plot let's the player know their goal (e.g. rescue the girlfriend) and what obstacles they'll face to achieve it.
"Jumpman must navigate a construction site filled with increasingly difficult levels, each presenting unique challenges like falling barrels and fireballs. As he ascends, he faces various obstacles that test his skills and timing, all in a desperate attempt to save his girlfriend, Pauline, from the clutches of the giant monkey, Donkey Kong."
Furthermore a plot may involve various twists, turns, and conflicts that keep audiences engaged. In games these plot devices can be built into the narrative or emerge from the players interaction with the game system.
Story
A story is defined as a narrative that describes a sequence of events, which can be either true or fictitious. It is designed to engage, entertain, or instruct the audience through its plot and characters. The primary purpose of a story is to convey experiences or ideas in a way that resonates emotionally with the audience. This emotional connection is crucial for making the story memorable and impactful.
While a premise provides the foundational idea that sets the stage, characters offer something to empathize with, bringing emotional depth to the narrative. The setting gives context, helping players understand how the characters and premise fit together within the narrative world. The plot outlines the main events and challenges that the characters must navigate, while the story weaves these elements together, providing the details that create an emotional experience.
In games, a well-crafted story connects gameplay mechanics to the narrative, fostering emotional investment. In Donkey Kong, the story of Jumpman's quest to rescue Pauline not only adds depth to the gameplay but also motivates players to overcome challenges.
Jumpman (Mario) unintentionally offends a giant monkey named Donkey Kong, who kidnaps Jumpman's girlfriend, Pauline. Throughout the game, Jumpman must overcome various obstacles and enemies in a dangerous construction site, including navigating platforms and avoiding hazards, all while racing against time to rescue her from Donkey Kong's clutches.
Narrative Design
While storytelling is fundamental to narrative, narrative design builds upon these foundational elements by crafting a story that enhances the gameplay experience. It goes beyond simply presenting a plot; it answers critical questions about character motivations, the significance of actions, and the context of events. By expanding on core story elements like plot, characters, and setting, effective narrative design transforms gameplay from a series of mechanical tasks into an emotionally resonant journey, allowing players to connect with the narrative on a deeper level.
Key Elements
Narrative design typically consists of 4 to 8 elements. In this text, we focus on the seven most common elements:
- Plot: The foundation that holds the story together, outlining the sequence of events.
- Theme: The central ideas or obstacles that the narrative explores. According to George Fan, creator of Plants vs. Zombies, themes should blend familiarity with novelty.
- Setting: The time, place, and environment in which the story unfolds, establishing the context for the characters and events.
- Characters: The fictional persona that drive the story, allowing players to empathize with their struggles and motivations.
- Point of View: The perspective from which the story is told, influencing how players experience the narrative.
- Conflict: The central issue or problem the characters face, which shapes the narrative arc as they confront and resolve it.
- Style or Tone: The language, diction, and overall mood of the narrative, which can range from serious to humorous, affecting how players perceive the story.
Narrative Techniques
To enhance narrative design, several techniques can be employed:
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Player Agency and Choice: Allowing players to make decisions that affect the story's outcome fosters a sense of ownership and investment in the narrative. This concept will be explored further in the context of character development.
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Non-Linear Storytelling: Providing players with multiple paths or outcomes can lead to varied experiences and replayability, deepening engagement with the narrative.
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Environmental Storytelling: Using the game's environment to convey narrative elements, such as clues or lore, without relying solely on dialogue or cutscenes enriches the storytelling experience.
Narrative Arc
Every story possesses a beginning, middle, and end, known as a narrative arc or story arc. This structure builds narrative tension over time. The classic narrative arc consists of:
- Introduction / Exposition: Introduces the characters and setting, establishing the norms of the story world.
- Conflict: The point at which a conflict arises, compelling the protagonist to resolve it throughout the story.
- Rising Action: The events that unfold as the character strives to address the conflict, leading up to the climax.
- Climax: The turning point where the character confronts the conflict head-on.
- Falling Action: The beginning of the resolution, where the consequences of the climax begin to unfold.
- Resolution: The conclusion of the story, which may reveal new narrative possibilities.
Three-Act Structure
Modern scripts and screenplays commonly adhere to the three-act structure:
Three-Act Structure
Modern scripts and screenplays commonly adhere to the three-act structure:
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Act I: This act is the introduction to the characters and setting, culminating in the establishment of the central conflict.
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Act II: In this act, the conflict intensifies as the protagonist navigates challenges and obstacles. The rising action unfolds, presenting a series of events that develop the story and build tension, ultimately leading to the climax.
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Act III: This final act comprises the falling action and resolution. Following the climax, where the character confronts the conflict, the narrative begins to resolve, showing the consequences of the climax and concluding the story, often revealing new possibilities or insights.
Narrative Design in Video Games
While the three-act structure can be applied to video game narratives, the gameplay setting often diverges from traditional storytelling formats. However, the narrative arc can still be identified within this interactive medium, showcasing how video games leverage storytelling in unique ways.
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Introduction / Exposition: In games, this stage often involves interactive tutorials, where players explore the world and its characters. This engagement allows players to learn through direct interaction rather than passive cutscenes.
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Conflict: Conflicts can arise from various player choices, leading to diverse challenges that shape the player's experience. This dynamic nature allows for multiple interpretations of the narrative based on player actions.
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Rising Action: The rising action may consist of various quests, side missions, or character interactions that build toward a personalized climax. Here, players can engage in non-linear storytelling, where the order of events can change based on their choices, providing a more tailored experience.
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Climax: Rather than a singular turning point, the climax can vary widely; players may face different challenges based on their decisions, creating unique narrative experiences.
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Falling Action and Resolution: These elements can yield multiple endings, encouraging replayability and deeper emotional investment. Non-linear storytelling enhances this aspect by allowing players to explore alternative outcomes based on their choices throughout the game.
Ultimately, while video games may not adhere strictly to traditional narrative structures, the narrative arc remains a vital component of gameplay, enabling rich, interactive storytelling that deepens player engagement.
Game Narrative Designer
In the game development process, the narrative designer plays a pivotal role in shaping these stories. They collaborate with other team members, such as writers, artists, and game designers, to ensure that the narrative is seamlessly integrated into the gameplay. By crafting engaging storylines and developing character arcs, narrative designers help create immersive experiences that keep players invested. Their work not only enhances the emotional impact of the game but also ensures that the narrative aligns with the mechanics and overall vision of the project.
Vid 2. How to Become a Narrative DesignerCharacter Development
Believable characters breathe life into a story, no matter how whimsical they may seem. Character development refers to the evolution of characters over time, shaping their personalities, motivations, and relationships.
The main character in a story is known as the protagonist, while the antagonist serves as the primary enemy or rival of the protagonist.
In games, the player avatar serves as a representation of the player, allowing for immersion in the game world. This avatar can take various forms, from customizable characters in role-playing games (RPGs) to simple tokens representations in board games like Monopoly. The choice of avatar allows for creative expression, enabling players to embody characters that resonate with their identity or aspirations.
The representation of avatars significantly shapes the narrative and thematic elements of the game. For example, in Monopoly, the iron token may evoke the image of a homemaker or laborer, reflecting themes of hard work, while the car and top hat symbolize success and wealth. These representations not only enhance the narrative but also influence player psychology.
For instance, a player who chooses to play as a knight may feel a sense of superiority or strength compared to a player who selects a bard. While both characters may be balanced in gameplay mechanics, the perception associated with the knight could lead to a more defensive playstyle, as the player embraces the heroic archetype, while the bard might encourage a more strategic or support-oriented approach.
Ultimately, avatar representation enriches the narrative experience by connecting players to the themes and character traits embodied in the game, shaping their engagement and decisions throughout gameplay.
Characterization
To engage the audience, they must empathize with or at least understand the characters. Characterization is the process of describing a character's personality and physical traits, which can evolve throughout the story.
Characterization can be divided into two categories: direct and indirect.
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Direct characterization explicitly describes a character's appearance and traits, such as occupation, passions, or pursuits.
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Indirect characterization reveals a character's thoughts, actions, dialogue, and effects on others. While this still describes the character, it allows the audience to draw conclusions about their true motives.
In many modern games, most characterization is indirect. Players control the protagonist, influencing not only their actions but often their appearance and traits as well. As players guide the character through various challenges, they can witness significant character growth, adding depth to the narrative.
In most cases, game protagonists are player-controlled and act as avatars for the player, giving the player control over their actions. However, some game characters exhibit free will, acting independently but still cooperating with the player. For example, in Sonic the Hedgehog, if the player stops interacting with Sonic, he expresses dissatisfaction by crossing his arms and tapping his feet impatiently. This implies that while he has some free will, he relies on the player to achieve their goals.
Agency and Empathy
As players begin to empathize with characters through effective characterization, the concepts of agency and empathy become increasingly important in deepening their connection to those characters.
Agency refers to a character's ability to represent the player within the game. This can range from purely utilitarian roles to more creative, role-playing experiences where players can identify with the character.
Empathy involves players forming an emotional connection with the character, understanding their goals, and, consequently, the game's objectives. As characters develop, their choices and experiences often resonate more deeply with players, enhancing this empathetic bond.
In essence, effective characterization lays the groundwork for both agency and empathy. As players engage with characters through their actions and decisions, the connection formed goes beyond mere recognition of traits. Together, these elements enrich the player's experience, allowing them to not only influence the character's journey but also to deeply invest in their growth and challenges.
Common Tropes in Character Development
In character development, certain tropes can significantly affect depth and relatability, ultimately altering how players perceive and feel about characters:
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MacGuffins: Objects that propel the plot but may not contribute to character depth, leading to a lack of emotional investment. When characters are overly reliant on MacGuffins, their journeys can feel less personal and meaningful.
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Red Herrings: Misleading clues that create false expectations about a character's motivations can potentially frustrate players when the truth is revealed. These devices can add intrigue but may also detract from a character's complexity if not handled well.
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Mary Sues: Characters with little to no flaws often result in less relatable protagonists, as they may lack the struggles that resonate with players. Flawed characters typically invite empathy through their challenges and growth.
Character Archetypes
Familiarity with common archetypes can help contextualize character roles in games and influence player perceptions:
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Hero: The central figure, often facing challenges that lead to personal growth. Their journey typically serves as the primary narrative arc.
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Mentor: A wise figure who guides the hero, providing knowledge and support. Mentors often play a crucial role in shaping the hero's journey.
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Sidekick: A loyal companion who aids the hero and often provides comic relief or emotional support. Sidekicks can enhance the hero's relatability by contrasting their traits.
Understanding these tropes and archetypes allows players to engage more deeply with the narrative. While tropes can streamline characterization, they can also limit depth if overused. Balancing these elements is crucial for crafting relatable and compelling characters.
Character Dialogue
One key aspect of indirect characterization is a character's dialogue. What a character says, or chooses not to say, along with their tone, accent, speech patterns, and word choice, helps to shape their identity in the eyes of the audience or player.
However, video game dialogue often lacks depth, coming across as static and unengaging. Interactive fiction author and founder of Inkle Studios, Jon Ingold, discussed in a 2018 talk how to create engaging dialogue. His goal is to develop conversations that are dynamic, contextual, and full of moments of connection, reflecting the character's growth and development.
Vid 3. dvX 2018 - Jon Ingold - Sparkling DialogueCharacter Arc
Character arc refers to how a character, typically the protagonist, evolves throughout the story. This evolution creates a narrative arc defined by the character's motivations, actions, and decisions.
Key Questions
When developing characters, it's important to consider the following questions:
What does the character want? Understanding the character's desires is crucial for driving the narrative forward.
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What does the character need? Often distinct from their wants, needs can reveal deeper motivations and contribute to character growth.
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What do the audience/player hope for? Anticipating what players desire for the character can enhance emotional investment.
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What do the audience/player fear? Understanding potential fears adds tension and stakes to the character's journey.
The Hero's Journey
The Hero's Journey, also known as the monomyth, is a model for character development that outlines the narrative arc. This framework consists of 12 steps that many narratives follow:
- The Ordinary World: We meet our hero.
- Call to Adventure: Will they meet the challenge?
- Refusal of the Call: They resist the adventure.
- Meeting the Mentor: A teacher or guide appears.
- Crossing the First Threshold: The hero leaves their comfort zone.
- Tests, Allies, Enemies: They make friends and face obstacles.
- Approach to the Inmost Cave: The hero gets closer to their goal.
- Ordeal: The hero faces their biggest test yet.
- Reward (Seizing the Sword): Light at the end of the tunnel.
- The Road Back: The hero isn't safe yet.
- Resurrection: The final hurdle is confronted.
- Return with the Elixir: The hero returns home, triumphant.
Story Circle
American writer Dan Harmon, known for the popular comedy series Rick and Morty, created a simplified version of the Hero's Journey called the Dan Harmon Story Circle. This model consists of 8 steps:
- Comfort Zone: A character lives in a mundane and unchallenging life.
- Desire: The protagonist's longing compels them to take action.
- Unfamiliar Situation: The character crosses the threshold to pursue their desire.
- Adaptation: They acquire skills to survive in this new environment.
- Achievement: The character achieves their goal, but at a cost.
- Consequences: New and unexpected losses follow the victory.
- Return: The character goes back to their original situation.
- Change: The story resolves with the lessons learned; the character has grown.
Endless Loop
Both the Hero's Journey and Harmon's Story Circle imply a cyclical nature, where stories can continue with the same characters starting anew with their evolved motivations. However, many narratives choose to repeat the same cycle, leading to audience investment in the characters' journeys.
Extra Credits recently released a video discussing how game developers leverage the paradox of satisfaction, creating experiences that leave players in a state of perpetual temptation without fully satisfying their desires.
Vid 4. Why Games are Designed to Leave You WantingChallenge and Narrative
Challenge is not just a mechanical feature but an integral part of narrative design. As discussed earlier, challenges can shape the player's emotional connection to the story. By designing challenges that align with the narrative's stakes, designers can deepen a player's engagement.
For example, in the game "Celeste", the mechanics of platforming (jumping and dashing) are used to mirror the protagonist's emotional struggles. As players guide Madeline up the mountain, they are also helping her confront her inner anxieties. The mechanics become metaphors for the narrative themes of self-discovery and perseverance. Here, the gameplay challenge of climbing the mountain reinforces the emotional stakes of the story.
In contrast, in "Donkey Kong", Jumpman's simple mechanics of running and jumping are given purpose by the narrative: he must rescue Pauline from Donkey Kong at the top of a construction site. The setting makes barrels, crates, and girders natural obstacles, with Donkey Kong using them to block Jumpman's path. Without this context, jumping over barrels would feel arbitrary, but within the story, each obstacle becomes a meaningful challenge. The narrative provides purpose, while the mechanics create structured, interactive obstacles aligned with the story's stakes.
It's important to recognize that challenges do not just emerge from mechanics, they can also be inspired by the narrative. When players understand what's at stake through the story, the mechanics create structured gameplay challenges that bring the narrative to life. This creates a loop where narrative informs mechanics, and mechanics reinforce the emotional stakes of the story.
Technology and Narrative
Advancements in technology have profoundly shaped how stories are told in games. Improved graphics, sound, and interactivity provide designers with more tools to craft immersive narratives. For instance, Pokemon Go uses augmented reality (AR) to bring Pokemon into the real world, merging narrative and technology in a way that makes players feel like they are truly discovering creatures in their surroundings. Similarly, in Dance Dance Revolution (DDR), the mechanics are directly tied to the player's physical actions. Instead of pressing buttons to control an avatar, the player is actually dancing, which reinforces the sense of agency and immediacy in the game's narrative.
Virtual reality (VR) takes this immersion a step further, allowing players to feel like they are physically present in the game world. In VR titles like Half-Life: Alyx, the stakes feel more personal as players reach out, interact with objects, and react to threats in real-time, making the narrative experience more visceral. On the other hand, physical games like Twister or Pictionary leverage in-person interactions to create a narrative that's driven by the players themselves, with social dynamics and shared physical space creating a sense of connection and collaboration that digital games sometimes struggle to match.
However, with these advancements come new challenges. Open-world games, for example, offer vast player freedom but make it harder to maintain a cohesive narrative. Designers must strike a balance between technological possibilities and narrative constraints, ensuring the mechanics and technology enhance the storytelling without overwhelming or diluting the emotional impact. As technology evolves, so too must the careful integration of narrative and gameplay to create meaningful and engaging experiences.
Socio-Cultural Considerations
Narratives in games don't exist in a vacuum. They are shaped by, and often reflect, the socio-cultural context in which they are created. Representation and inclusivity in games have become increasingly important. Authentic socio-cultural elements can enhance the depth and resonance of a game's narrative, allowing players from different backgrounds to see themselves in the stories being told.
However, it's essential that socio-cultural aspects are woven into the game's story in a meaningful way, rather than feeling like superficial arbitrary additions. For example, introducing diverse characters that fit naturally within the game world can enhance the player's connection to the story. Conversely, forced representation, unrelated to the story or its setting, can detract from the narrative's coherence and authenticity.
Additionally, the cultural context in which players experience a game affects how they interpret its narrative. Playing Donkey Kong in a noisy arcade with friends might amplify the urgency of Jumpman's quest, while playing it alone at home might evoke a different emotional response. Designers should consider how the social and cultural settings in which games are played impact the narrative experience, as well as how those settings influence the creation of meaningful stories.
Player Engagement
The interconnected relationship between narrative, challenge, technology, and culture shapes the player's experience and emphasizes the importance of player-centric design. Games must be tailored to meet the needs and preferences of their target players, ensuring that each aspect contributes to a cohesive and engaging experience. By thoughtfully integrating these elements, designers can craft interactive stories that are emotionally engaging, mechanically meaningful, and culturally resonant. Narrative design is an evolving art that draws from various factors, where game mechanics and narrative work together to transform challenges into emotionally significant moments. While technology offers new opportunities for storytelling, it must be balanced with narrative cohesion. Additionally, socio-cultural considerations ensure that the stories told are relevant and inclusive, enhancing their impact on a diverse, global audience.