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Episode Name:
Connecting with Players Through Meaningful Narrative Experiences
Episode Description:
In any narrative-driven game, finding the delicate balance between a captivating story and engaging gameplay is essential. If either element falls short, players may struggle to connect with the game on a meaningful level, potentially providing an unfulfilling experience.
Today, we’re going to understand the complexities of narrative design, and ways to incorporate storytelling in more impactful ways that further engage players, all while learning how to create experiences that truly connect with players.
Q?Box Round Answers
What was your childhood favorite game?
Planescape: Torment, with Baldur’s Gate and Fallout being just behind it.
Biggest gaming pet peeve?
Pixel art games that use high-res character portraits.
What game are you playing now?
Sovereign Syndicate. I’ll jump to ASTLIBRA Revision soon.
TIPS and ADVICE
We covered quite a bit today. Could you list 3 suggestions or tips you would recommend to indie devs based on our discussion?
- Consider if you want your game to be centered around its writing, or do you just want to have some writing to add flavor to your game. Both approaches will land better with different audiences.
- Acknowledging a player’s actions and decisions can be much more impactful than having a novel-like linear narrative, especially if this feedback is delivered in more interesting ways than just some stiff, numerical reputation meters.
- Building narrative-heavy games probably won’t get any easier with the rise of AI writing. For now, stick to learning the old ways.
RESOURCES and LINKS
How to get in touch with Aureus Gaj
Website: https://moralanxietystudio.com/
Twitter: @MoralAnxiety
OTHER SOURCES:
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/deep-dive-roadwarden
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmryo5aIHqk