compelling storytelling in video game design
TRANSCRIPT
Compelling Storytelling in Video Game Design
by Julio Seaman
1947Tennis For Two
William Higinbotham. Brookhaven National Laboratory in Uptown, New York.
XYZZY
1976
William Crowther, cave explorer from Kentucky, Tolkien fan.Fortran en PDP-1.
1980Mystery House
Compilador de Fortran en Apple II.
1982 - 1998Kings Quest
2010Fallout: New Vegas65,000 lines of dialogueFallout 3 only had 40,000
2010Heavy Rain
1949The Heros JourneyThe Hero With a Thousand Faces, Joseph CampbellThe MonomythDepartureInitiationReturn
Departure
The Call to Adventure
Refusal of the Call
Supernatural Aid
The Talisman
Crossing the Threshold
Belly of the Whale
Initiation
The Road of Trials
The Allies
Woman as Goddess and TemptressBeautifulVainHorribleUnderstandingProtectiveLovelyEvilThreateningOverprotective
Atonement with the FatherWiseAllyMentorKingVengefulRivalEnemyFull of wrath
Apotheosis
Reward
Return
Refusal of the Return
The Magic Flight
Rescue from Without
The Crossing of the Return Threshold
Master of the Two WorldsFreedom to Live
Game Structures
LinearGoes in one direction onlyExamplesKaratekaMario BrosPrince of PersiaUncharted
Linear with BranchingBifurcationsExamplesKings Quest VIFate of Atlantis
Networks (2D & 3D)A graph2DFableDiablo3DZelda
SandboxGrand Theft AutoBullyUltimate SpidermanThe Sims
Emergent BehaviorWorld of WarcraftThe SimsUltima OnlineMatrix Online
Elements of a GOOD StoryBack StoryA catchy beginningPerspectivePlot TwistsRed HerringMemorable scenesHumorHorrorDilemmasMemorable characters
Characters
Flat Characters
Round Characters
Myer-Briggs
ENTJ - StrengthsGenuinely interested in people's ideas and thoughtsEnthusiastic and energeticTake their commitments very seriouslyFair-minded and interested in doing the Right ThingVery good with moneyExtremely direct and straightforwardVerbally fluentEnhance and encourage knowledge and self-growth in all aspects of lifeAble to leave relationships without looking backAble to turn conflict situations into positive lessonsAble to take constructive criticism wellExtremely high standards and expectations (both a strength and a weakness)Usually have strong affections and sentimental streaksAble to dole out discipline
ENTJ - WeaknessesTheir enthusiasm for verbal debates can make them appear argumentativeTendency to be challenging and confrontationalTend to get involved in "win-lose" conversationsTendency to have difficulty listening to othersTendency to be critical of opinions and attitudes which don't match their ownExtremely high standards and expectations (both a strength and a weakness)Not naturally in tune with people's feelings and reactionsMay have difficulty expressing love and affection, sometimes seeming awkward or inappropriateCan be overpowering and intimidating to othersTendency to want to always be in charge, rather than sharing responsibilitiesCan be very harsh and intolerant about messiness or inefficiencyTendency to be controllingMay be slow to give praise or to realize another's need for praiseIf unhappy or underdeveloped, they may be very impersonal, dictatorial, or abrasiveTendency to make hasty decisionsMake explode with terrible tempers when under extreme stress
D&DLawful Good(Superman)Neutral Good(Batman)Chaotic Good(Robin Hood)Lawful Neutral(JamesBond)Neutral(Han Solo)Chaotic Neutral(Jack Sparrow)Lawful Evil(Magneto)Neutral Evil(Starscream)Chaotic Evil(Joker)
MoralEthical
The LeaderFocusedConfidentDeterminedStrongStubbornDominant
The Anti-HeroeIdealistDisillusionedPessimisticBitterViolentConflictive
Smooth HeroesCharmingEloquentGood lookingSmartOne Step AheadManipulator
Intelligent HeroGeniusIntuitiveSincereCrypticEgocentricImpatient
Impetuous HeroDecisiveFearlessNot trustworthySelf reliantDisregards rulesDisregards consequences
Inept HeroNaiveDumbFunnyLuckySelf deceivedResourceful
The Fighting MachineHonorableTrustworthyStrongNever gives upWithout mercyLoyal
The TyrantIn controlDecisiveCruelAmbitiousSadisticStrategist
The ConquerorAmbitiousRevolutionaryDecisiveCruelBraveSelfish
The PatriarchIn controlFatherlyWithout mercyDecisiveKnows peopleIntelligent
Harmless VillainAppears to be harmlessSchemingViolentAnger problemsTraumatized
Other archetypesGiant monsterInvisibleAvengerRivalSociopathThe traitorHorrible bossetc, etc, etc
Lets make a video game.I dont have enough timeI dont know how to write codeI dont have an ideaIm scared of failureI dont have money
Refusal of the Call!
XYZZYThanks for Watching
email: [email protected]/twitter/gmail: jseaman76
ReferencesThe Hero With a Thousand Faces - Joseph CampbellOn Game Design: A Brainstorming Toolbox - David PerryWikipediaPersonality Page (www.personalitypage.com)All images used under fair use