Interactive Storytelling for Video Games

Chapter 1: Game Stories, Interactivity, and What

Players WantJosiah Lebowitz

Chris Klug

The Importance of Stories Stories have existed since the dawn of the human race. Stories have had immeasurable influence on human

development and civilization. Modern technology gives us access to a nearly endless

supply of stories of all types. This vast selection of stories allows us to focus only on our

favorites types of stories and ignore ones we don’t like.

Stories in Video Games Video Games are a relatively new form of media and are

constantly evolving. Games are an excellent storytelling medium. The interactivity of games means that game writers have to

face many challenges and problems that other writers do not.

Chapter 2 Explores the history of storytelling in games. Discusses how different types of game storytelling developed

and evolved. Looks at some games which played a significant role in the

development of game storytelling.

Chapters 3 - 5 Explain the basics of story structure and character

development. Discuss common story themes and clichés. Explore the hero’s journey and other story structures. Talk about how to create interesting and believable

characters. Describe ways to create an emotionally moving story.

Chapter 6 Describes what exactly makes a story interactive. Explains the different between interactive and player-driven

storytelling. Presents and overview of the different types of interactive

storytelling commonly used in video games.

Chapters 7 - 11 Explore the different interactive storytelling styles in-depth. Discuss the innate advantages and disadvantages of each

style. Explain the unique challenges writers face when working

with each style. Look at how a variety of different games use these styles.

Chapters 12 - 13 Explore the debate over just how much control players

should be given over the progression and outcome of game stories.

Look at the key arguments both for and against highly player-driven forms of storytelling.

Chapter 14 Contains research into which types of stories are most

popular with gamers and why. Looks at how stories affect which games gamers buy. Discusses the results of the research and its meaning.

Chapter 15 Reviews the material from previous chapters in light of the

information found in Chapters 12 – 14. Looks ahead into the future of games storytelling.

Things to Consider What key events in history have been influenced by stories? How have stories influenced your life? Which stories have

had the greatest impact on you? What makes writing for games different than writing for books

or film? How much control do you think players should have in game

stories and why?