Writing for Multimedia and the Web, 3rd Edition

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Key Points from Part III: How to Write Interactive Narrative

 

 

A Story with Interactive Potential

There are no hard and fast rules about what makes a good interactive narrative, but some things that have worked in the past include the following:

• A clearly defined goal to lead the player through the story. Example: Solving the mystery at the inn (Chapter 20, Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock).

• An interesting role for the player that allows some control over the narrative flow. Example: In Dust (Chapter 23), the player becomes an Old West drifter named the Stranger. The player controls what this character says and does.

• Various plot possibilities and choice points. Scenes can be played out in a number of ways, and the player’s ...