CAGD 374W: Interactive Storytelling in Video Games

Interactive Storytelling in Video Games is a course that is offered asynchronously in an entirely internet-based teaching platform. An introductory video is available for students to view a walkthrough of the course structure, organization, and provide an explanation of course expectations. Learning modules are accessible at the beginning of each week, consisting of lectures, resources, materials, instructions and assignments. All required tasks must be completed by a standing deadline each week. Discussion posts are a core component of the course, enabling both the students and instructor to share, view and critique work-in-progress and/or finalized product. Communication between instructor and students is encouraged through announcements both at the beginning and end of each week along with email, chat, video, and voice alternatives. Other suggested communication applications are encouraged for students to engage in questions and comments amongst themselves, regarding the current material.

Brief Summary: A theme or even multiple themes may be present in a story/narrative. Be sure that themes are relevant and applicable to character and narrative growth. Plot is the motivation needed to initially incite interest in a story and is often hinted at in the premise. The plot points help to support the plot and create points in the story where the plot is reinforced and evolution of the narrative is established. The supporting events should support the plot points and, in the case of video game, be meaningful, providing interactive challenges and rewards for the character/player.

Brief Summary: Narrative devices assist in guiding the player through the story, scene, and game structure. They serve to inform, reveal, encourage and challenge the player. Narrative devices may take many forms among which are textual elements such as narrative and NPC (Non-Player Character) conversations along with pictures, recordings, newspaper clippings, and journals. They can also be represented in the mood, tone and culture of the environment, including terrain and architectural components. Symbolism may often be recognized in setting and serve as a narrative device as well as props, assets, and resources that may be either interactive or static. All of the components in the scene inform the story and function with the game structure while simultaneously influencing and contributing to the player experience.

Brief Summary: It's important to understand elements of level design in the game design process and how narrative design may be intertwined and weaved throughout the game structure. Environment, setting, terrain, and the boundaries and structure of the story/game world, are crucial to the environmental storytelling process. Now that you have a basic organization of story structure, plot, events leading up to those plots, and various settings in which the player may interact with the story and game structure, let's look further into the layout of the world in which the player will interact.

Challenges of asynchronous online delivery emphasize attention to collaboration and discussion, consisting of peers, campus resources, research, availability of technology-based tools, and recognition of student input and experience. Based on observation and active inquiry, strategies, effective techniques, and how they may be incorporated into this course and its content-focus, will be applied and assessed at various stages of development.

Change can be uncomfortable but it may also introduce opportunities for exploration and and growth and/or even the possibility of course reconstruction. This is not an easy task nor is success often achieved on the first go around. This is where iteration enters the scene. It all starts with an idea --> plan --> design --> deliver --> test --> deploy --> review results and then the process repeats until a viable path presents itself.

Assignments in this course represent building blocks to a final deliverable which encompasses a product that allows students to demonstrate creativity, skill, and understanding of the material. Communication, including valuable feedback, subtle nudges of expectation and encouragement, reminders of accountability, and the importance of time and project management are frequently conveyed.

Feedback about course structure and ease of navigating the User Interface (UI), clarity of instructions and feedback, communication, engagement, and student success in the course, are consistently observed and considered to serve as the catalyst for curricular adjustments.

When enrolled in Interactive Storytelling in Video Games, students are provided the opportunity to engage in numerous writing activities meant to inform and encourage creative ideas while exploring the connection between story, video game, and the player. The relevancy and purpose of choices, player agency, and narrative are examined and practiced.

Following, are some assignment example prompts:

• Creating Rich Characters: What is it that your character fears most, envies, pretends to be? What do they want, crave, would kill for, sacrifice for? What is their breaking point? How are they unique? Build your characters up and tear them right back down again!

• Choices: Research video games where a non-linear story is presented and choices are granted to the player/character at pertinent occasions and situations throughout the game. Depending on the extensive nature of the world in which the game lives and breathes I leave it to you to choose situations in which to address and expand up on for this write-up.

• Interactive Narrative: Compare and contrast one game from the 1970s or 1980s which utilized(es) active (interactive) narrative storytelling, with a game utilizing interactive storytelling from the present or within the last 5 years. The learning module will contain some examples of these types of games to help you on your research path.