stranger than fiction: the power of storytelling in games

Stranger than fiction: The power of storytellingin learning games

brightwavegroup.com

• What makes stories such a powerful learning tool?

• How can this be enhanced with game dynamics?

• My 5 top tips for creating stories for learning games.

Branching gamesInteractive experiences in which the user explores the different outcomes and consequences of their chosen course of action.

Games that have inspired me• Take the Knife • How to Survive a Nuclear Bomb

Why so serious about serious games?

Availability of tools and design• More third party companies

offering the technology.

• Learning from others’ successesand mistakes.

Cara Ellison Four games that tell great stories and how they do it

Stories and games collide We’ve been clear for a long time on the learning power of stories. But we’ve really only just starting to put them together with games to unlock their full potentials.

Breakerslide

Story arc

The importance of characters

‘Characters become your avatar.’ John YorkeInto the Woods

Reading produces a vivid simulation of reality, one that “runs on minds of readers just as computer simulations run on computers.”

Keith OatleyProfessor of Cognitive Psychology, University of Toronto.

The power of stories…• The dramatic story arc• Authentic characters• Vivid simulation

…with the dynamics of games:• Focused on practical action• Scoring and feedback

My top 5 tips for creating your own branching narrative game

1. Choose your branching structure

String of pearls

Nodal narrative

2. Establish your scenario and ask yourself ‘What are the best and worst outcomes?’

3. Define your central character

4. Design your scoring

5. Paper prototype as much as possible

Recap1. Branching structure2. Establish your story arc3. Define your central character4. Design your scoring5. Paper prototype

Thank you

brightwavegroup.com