Interactive Storytelling for Video Games Chapter 1 Game

Interactive Storytelling for Video Games Chapter 1: Game Stories, Interactivity, and What Players Want Josiah 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 playerdriven 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?