Deconstructing the Best Interactive Storytelling
Richard Rouse III (Paranoid Productions)Marc Laidlaw (Valve)Steve Meretzky (Blue Fang)Ken Rolston (Big Huge Games)
Game Developer’s Conference, 2008
True or False?“Stories are irrelevant to games.”
“Stories in games can’t compete with stories in other mediums.”
“All game writing sucks.”
An Ambitious Thesis
The best game storytelling can stand up to the storytelling
in any other medium.
A Best Practice
To become better game storytellers, we must identify
and study the games that have told stories well it well in
the past.
Designer/Writer: Brian MoriartyDeveloper: Lucasfilm Games
Released: 1990
The Story
Gameplay
Loom Storytelling Lessons
1. Transcend Genre
2. Beauty is more than skin deep
3. Endings can be more than “cheering elves”
Lead Designer: Tim StellmachPrinciple Writers: Terri Brosius,
Laura BaldwinDeveloper: Looking Glass Studios
Released: 1998
So Many Things Done So Well
• Great Writing
• Unparalleled Atmosphere
• Cagey Cutscenes
• Integrated Characters
Inversion Layers• First Person…Sneaker
• Standard Mission Objectives
Inversion Layers• Generic magic medieval fantasy world
• Cut-out Cut-scenes
Familiarity Breeds• Repeatedly begin with something that
looks familiar
• Then introduce the unexpected elements
In Its Own Right• As inventive as any good fantasy literature
• Moments that feel archetypal but are quite original
Integrated World• A world that feels rich and alive through its
responsiveness to player
• Creatures and characters integrated
• Taciturn narrator
Thief Storytelling Lessons
• Ground the world in reality
• Emphasis on elements that can be undermined, inverted, abridged
• Gradual encrustation of strangeness
• Let all the elements mingle
• Fine writing brings it all to fruition, as much as fine game design
Lead Designer: Chris AvelloneDeveloper: Black Isle Studios
Released: 1999
Narrative Virtues Theme, Setting, Characters, and Plot
“Am I a good man, or a bad man?” Sense of Place – Art and Setting Design Varied, Vivid, Charming Characters The plot is all about me...
… who am I? why can’t I die?
Gameplay Alignment Dialog Twisted D&D
Colorful reinforcing narrative
exposition
Colorful reinforcing narrative
exposition... AND
gameplay
Equippable bits etched with exposition
AND gameplay
Gratutitous fountains of
text exposition and text
exploration
Gratutitous fountains of
text exposition and text
exploration
Alignment: simple model of personality and morality
narrative and gameplay feedback
many dialog tests and choices
“You know what? We should get some female zombies to join this party, right, chief?”
“I think, therefore I am… I think.”
“Get your eyes off my arse.”
“What can change the nature of a man?”
Varied, Vivid, Charming Characters
Planescape: TormentStorytelling Lessons
Theme, Setting, Characters, and Plot “Am I a good man, or a bad man?” Sense of Place – Art and Setting Design Varied, Vivid, Charming Characters The plot is all about me...
… who am I? why can’t I die?
Gameplay Alignment Dialog Twisted D&D
Creative Director/Lead Writer: Ken LevineDeveloped by Irrational/2K Boston
Released: 2007
BioShock Storytelling Lessons
• (Almost) No breaks in the gameplay• Story and game combined as one, through:
• environment design• audio • scripted sequences• montage/image-overlay
• Distinct sense of place• Unique story and compelling dialog/VO
Designer/Developer: Cliff Johnson
Released: 1987
The Story
The Puzzles
Sun’s Map
The Fool’s Errand Storytelling Lessons
1. Less is more
2. Find a style that works
3. Integrate story and gameplay
The Fool’s Errand Storytelling Lessons
1. Less is more
2. Find a style that works
3. Integrate story and gameplay
www.fools-errand.com
Lead Designers: Fredrik Ljungdahl, Jens Andersson
Writers: Mikael Säker, John Platten, Flint Dille
Developers: Starbreeze, TigonReleased: 2004
The Chronicles of RiddickNarrative Virtues
• Slick, Self-Assured Use of License• Strong Protagonist, Strong Rendering• Interface Tailored to the Protagonist• Gameplay Tailored to the Protagonist• Prison Setting – Asymmetrical Conflict
Director/Writer: Shuu Takumi English Translator: Alexander O. SmithDeveloped by CapcomReleased: 2001 (Japan, GBA), 2005 (North America, DS)
Turnabout Is Gameplay
• Turnabout Court– Original Title: Gyakuten Saiban – Emphasis on Reversal
• Plot Twists, • Reversals in Character
The Heroes• Phoenix Wright and Associates
– The Good Guys
Opposing Farce
• The Villains
• Opposing Counsel
• Uncooperative Witnesses
• These guys are the key to the game’s success
Liars
• Everyone has a secret
• Everyone lies
• Everyone cracks under pressure
• Out comes the kernel of truth
• Insight into character also gives solution to the mystery and solves the crime that drives each episode
Designing for the Payoff
• Highly iconic, stylized characters
• Very few animations, used sparingly
• Good guys are boring
Payola
Villains also exhibit few animations at first...
But When They Crack…
Under pressure…
But When They Crack…
Truth will out…
But When They Crack…
The gloves (and toupee) are off!
Phoenix WrightStorytelling Lessons
• Characters serve as point where gameplay and narrative intersect
• Clever character design opens new gameplay possibilities
• Core mystery is one of character (same technique is successfully deployed in Bioshock and Torment)
Director/Designer: Fumito UedaDeveloper: Sony Computer Entertainment Japan/ Team Ico
Released: 2001
Ico Storytelling Lessons
• Emotional relationship as gameplay mechanic
• Minimalist storytelling
• Character definition through animation
• Unique Tone, Story and Emotion
Emotional Relationship as Gameplay Mechanic
Emotional Relationship as Gameplay Mechanic
Emotional Relationship as Gameplay Mechanic
Storytelling Through Animation
• Emotional relationship as gameplay mechanic
• Minimalist storytelling
• Character definition through animation
• Unique Tone, Story and Emotion
Ico Storytelling Lessons
True or False?
The best game storytelling can stand up to the storytelling in
any other medium
Additional Stories Worth Playing• Richard’s Extras:
– The Last Express– Grant Theft Auto: Vice City– A Mind Forever Voyaging
• Marc’s Extras:– Ecstatica– Myst– The Legend of Zelda:
Majora’s Mask
• Steve’s Extras:– Suspended– The Legend of Zelda:
Ocarina of Time– Portal
• Ken’s Extras:– Gadget– Myth– Call of Duty– Betrayal at Krondor
Slides and more at:
www.paranoidproductions.com/storiesbestplayed
Richard: [email protected]: [email protected] Steve: [email protected] Ken: [email protected]
Contact:
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