Theme and Narrative

Noun: an idea that recurs in or pervades a work of art or literature
Verb: to give a particular setting or ambience

Theme

Theme is a good guide for unified design.
- Design needs to be unified around the noun. and verb. theme.
Theme is not just narrative, it is something that all of the elements of your game and its play can reflect
- M.D.A

Is narrative needed?

Depends on the kind of game.
- Puzzle game
- Action
- Adventure game
- Open world game
- Procedural game (Roguelike, Survival)
Depends on what kind of narrative you are talking about
- Authored Narrative - Preexisting narrative created by the developers.
- Suggested Narrative - Evocative details included in the game world that may be noticed by the player. (Dark Souls)
- Procedural Narrative - Narrative created by combining chunks of story in interesting ways. (The narrative does not necessarily have meaning)
- Emergent/Player Narrative - Stories created through gameplay experiences (Nothing tells the player, player just create the stories - Wither 3)

Classic 3 act structure
Constructivist
- Procedural
- Player generated
- mise en scene - player experiencing the environment there isn’t a defined story
Other alternatives to the 3 act structure
- Stanley parable - Narrative structure was told, player can choose to deviate at some point to break out
- Deathloop - An eventual outcome being sought that is the actual ending of the game
- Every Day the Same Dream

Interest Curve

Games can be short or long, How to keep player’s attention ?

Mechanical means like reward loops, difficulty curves
Choose the narrative structure based on game type or length to maximize player engagement